Chief Engineer

Holiday Inn South Plainfield-Piscataway; SOUTH PLAINFIELD (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Friendwell Managed Hotels is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the Engineering/Maintenance team, oversee daily operations, and manage preventive maintenance for HVAC, electrical, and building systems.

The role requires strong leadership, hands-on technical expertise, and experience with budgets, vendor management, and safety compliance, including life-safety protocols.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hotel engineering/facilities maintenance experience
• Previous supervisory or management experience required
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration, and building systems
• Experience with preventive maintenance and CMMS
• Knowledge of OSHA, fire/life-safety requirements, and applicable building codes
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to read technical manuals, blueprints, and equipment documentation
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and emergency call-ins when necessary
• Relevant licenses or certifications such as HVAC, electrical, boiler, pool, or stationary engineer credentials are a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, train, and schedule the hotel Engineering/Maintenance team
• Oversee daily maintenance and repair of guest rooms, public areas, kitchens, restaurants, meeting spaces, offices, and back-of-house areas
• Manage preventive maintenance programs for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, boilers, elevators, fire/life-safety systems, and other building systems
• Respond promptly to maintenance emergencies and guest-related engineering requests
• Inspect hotel facilities regularly and identify safety, maintenance, and capital-improvement needs
• Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal building, fire, environmental, health, and safety regulations
• Coordinate inspections, testing, permits, and required certifications
• Manage outside contractors, vendors, service agreements, and engineering-related projects
• Develop and manage the Engineering department budget, including labor, supplies, repairs, and capital expenditures
• Monitor energy and utility consumption and implement cost-saving initiatives
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, equipment logs, inspections, and preventive-maintenance documentation
• Participate in renovation, construction, and capital projects, ensuring work meets hotel standards and specifications
• Coordinate with Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments to minimize operational disruptions
• Ensure guest rooms and public areas are maintained to a high standard of appearance, comfort, and functionality
• Maintain appropriate inventory of tools, equipment, parts, and maintenance supplies
• Establish and enforce safe work practices and proper use of tools and equipment
• Participate in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and life-safety procedures
• Be available for engineering emergencies and participate in an on-call rotation as required

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Reading technical manuals/blueprints

Flexibility to work weekends/holidays

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical degree or trade certification preferred

Tools

CMMS

HVAC/Electrical/Plumbing knowledge tools

Job description

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, safety, and preventive maintenance of the hotel’s building, equipment, mechanical systems, and physical facilities. This position leads the Engineering/Maintenance team and ensures the property remains safe, functional, efficient, and compliant with all applicable codes and hotel standards.

We are a drug-free workplace and participate in E-Verify.

What you will be doing

Roles and Responsibilities:This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, train, and schedule the hotel Engineering/Maintenance team.
• Oversee daily maintenance and repair of guest rooms, public areas, kitchens, restaurants, meeting spaces, offices, and back-of-house areas.
• Manage preventive maintenance programs for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, boilers, elevators, fire/life-safety systems, and other building systems.
• Respond promptly to maintenance emergencies and guest-related engineering requests.
• Inspect hotel facilities regularly and identify safety, maintenance, and capital-improvement needs.
• Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal building, fire, environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Coordinate inspections, testing, permits, and required certifications.
• Manage outside contractors, vendors, service agreements, and engineering-related projects.
• Develop and manage the Engineering department budget, including labor, supplies, repairs, and capital expenditures.
• Monitor energy and utility consumption and implement cost‑saving initiatives.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, equipment logs, inspections, and preventive‑maintenance documentation.
• Participate in renovation, construction, and capital projects, ensuring work meets hotel standards and specifications.
• Coordinate with Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments to minimize operational disruptions.
• Ensure guest rooms and public areas are maintained to a high standard of appearance, comfort, and functionality.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of tools, equipment, parts, and maintenance supplies.
• Establish and enforce safe work practices and proper use of tools and equipment.
• Participate in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and life‑safety procedures.
• Be available for engineering emergencies and participate in an on‑call rotation as required.

Requirements:Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules (including holidays and weekends) to reflect the business needs of the hotel. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical degree, engineering degree, or trade certification preferred.
• 5+ years of hotel engineering/facilities maintenance experience, preferably in a full‑service hotel.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration, and building systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Knowledge of OSHA, fire/life‑safety requirements, and applicable building codes.
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to read technical manuals, blueprints, and equipment documentation.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and emergency call‑ins when necessary.
• Relevant licenses or certifications such as HVAC, electrical, boiler, pool, or stationary engineer credentials are a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb ladders, and work in confined or elevated areas.
• Ability to lift and carry maintenance equipment and materials.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures and potentially noisy or demanding environments.
• Ability to respond quickly to building or equipment emergencies.

Success in This Role

The successful Chief Engineer will combine hands‑on technical expertise with strong leadership and financial management, keeping the hotel safe, operational, guest‑ready, and well maintained while controlling costs and developing the engineering team.

Friendwell Managed Hotels function twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As a part of the hospitality industry, a hospitable service atmosphere must be maintained at all times. All employees are required to project a friendly, welcoming, and positive attitude.

Source: Hospitality Online