Chief Engineer

Sorrel River Ranch; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BIBA Club is seeking a Chief Engineer to own the physical and technical infrastructure of the property, joining pre-opening to install, commission, and operationalize the technical backbone of the club and hotel. You will oversee HVAC, electrical, plumbing, AV, IT, security, and vendor relationships, ensuring systems are fully operational and staff can use them from day one.

This senior role requires hands-on problem solving, proactive maintenance, and close collaboration with operations

Responsibilities

• Partner with the project team on the technical buildout of the property
• Commission and test all systems prior to opening
• Identify and resolve technical issues during construction and commissioning
• Develop SOPs, maintenance schedules, vendor relationships, and operating procedures ready for day one
• Ensure all technical systems are fully operational and staff are prepared to use them before opening
• Oversee installation and maintenance of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other building systems
• Own preventative maintenance programs across all physical systems
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, and emergency response proactively
• Manage engineering vendors and contractors with quality and timeliness
• Maintain records of systems, warranties, and service history
• Serve as primary contact for landlord and building management on engineering

Job description

The Chief Engineer owns the physical and technical infrastructure of BIBA Club and hotel, from building systems and facilities maintenance to AV, network, and security. This person joins pre-opening to help install, commission, and operationalize the technical infrastructure of the property, then transitions into the ongoing operational owner of engineering, facilities, property technology, and overall IT support.

You are comfortable stepping in on technical issues directly when needed and know when to bring in the right vendor. You manage relationships with contractors and service providers, hold them accountable, and ensure nothing slips. You are the person who knows every system in the building, how it works, what it needs, and what to do when something goes wrong.

This is a senior-level role for someone who combines technical depth with operational ownership. You do not wait to be told what needs attention. You already know.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Pre-Opening & Infrastructure

• Partner with the project team on the technical buildout of the property
• Commission and test all systems prior to opening
• Identify and resolve technical issues during construction and commissioning
• Develop SOPs, maintenance schedules, vendor relationships, and operating procedures ready for day one
• Ensure all technical systems are fully operational and staff are prepared to use them before opening

Engineering & Facilities

• Oversee installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other building systems
• Own preventative maintenance programs across all physical systems
• Conduct regular inspections and coordinate repairs, maintenance, and emergency response proactively
• Manage engineering vendors and contractors, ensuring quality, timeliness, and accountability
• Maintain compliance with relevant building codes, safety regulations, and permit requirements, and keep accurate records of systems, warranties, and service history
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the landlord and building management on engineering and facilities matters
• Oversee testing, inspection, and maintenance of fire and life-safety systems and coordinate required inspections and certifications

AV & Technical Systems

• Oversee installation and ongoing management of AV systems throughout the Club, including sound, lighting, and screening across all venues
• Ensure AV systems meet the operational and experiential standards of each space
• Manage AV vendors, service contracts, and preventative maintenance
• Troubleshoot AV issues and coordinate resolution promptly
• Work with Operations and programming teams to ensure technical systems support the needs of each space

IT & Technology

• Oversee the Club’s network infrastructure, ensuring reliable, high-performance connectivity for staff, members, and hotel guests
• Own day-to-day IT support, troubleshooting issues directly when appropriate and coordinating specialized vendor support when needed
• Manage employee technology onboarding and offboarding, including devices, email, system access, credentials, and equipment return
• Procure, configure, issue, track, repair, and replace company laptops, tablets, phones, printers, and other technology
• Manage IT, internet, phone, and mobile service providers, including vendor relationships, service agreements, upgrades, and performance
• Maintain documentation and inventory of infrastructure, devices, licenses, warranties, and accounts, with appropriate access controls, device security, and software updates

Security Systems

• Oversee installation and management of CCTV, access control, and alarm systems
• Manage security system vendors and service contracts
• Ensure security systems are fully operational, regularly tested, and promptly serviced when issues arise
• Work with Operations leadership on security protocols, emergency procedures, and staff training

Vendor Management

• Own engineering and IT vendor relationships and hold service providers accountable to agreed standards and timelines
• Own engineering and IT operating budgets, service contracts, maintenance costs, and capital planning for replacements and upgrades
• Review proposals, scopes, and contracts for technical services and equipment
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term operating costs

Cross-Functional Operations

• Partner closely with key leadership to ensure technical infrastructure supports the operation of the Club and hotel
• Establish clear escalation procedures and respond quickly to any technical issues affecting members, guests, or daily operations
• Ensure relevant staff are trained on critical systems and know what to do when something goes wrong
• Maintain a high standard of presentation, functionality, and reliability across the property

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• All building systems are operational, well-maintained, and compliant
• AV systems consistently deliver the right atmosphere across every space in the Club
• Network and connectivity are seamless for staff and members
• Security systems are robust, tested, and staff are trained on protocols
• Preventative maintenance happens before problems become emergencies
• Vendors are managed proactively and held to their commitments
• Engineering and IT budgets are controlled and planned thoughtfully
• The pre-opening buildout is technically sound and systems are ready on day one
• The property is maintained to a high standard every day
• Employees have the devices, connectivity, and system access they need from day one, with clear ownership when technical issues arise.
• Nothing breaks without a plan already in place to fix it