Chief Engineer

OTH Hotels Resorts; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with employer matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Hotel discounts

Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Team member meals

Job summary

OTH Hotels Resorts is seeking a seasoned Chief Engineer to lead and manage all engineering and maintenance operations across the property. You’ll ensure equipment, systems and facilities run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations, while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

In this role you will mentor the engineering team, manage the budget, coordinate capital projects, and drive preventive maintenance programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field preferred.
• 5–10+ years of maintenance or engineering leadership, preferably in hospitality.
• No travel required; property-based role.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering team across the hotel.
• Oversee HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems and preventive maintenance.
• Manage budgets and drive cost-saving while maintaining quality.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and hotel leadership on capital projects.
• Ensure safety, compliance with codes, and guest satisfaction.

Skills

HVAC systems

Electrical systems

Plumbing

Mechanical systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field

Job description

At OTH Hotels Resorts, our team is our number one asset. We strive to create a safe, positive, uplifting work environment for all and a culture that ignites a long-term career passion for hospitality and service. Our shared purpose is to be the Heart of Hospitality in the lives of our team members, guests, owners, partners, and communities.

Job Overview

The Chief Engineer is responsible for leading and managing all engineering and maintenance operations to ensure the hotel’s facilities, equipment, and systems operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance with all regulations. This role oversees preventive maintenance programs, capital projects, and day-to-day engineering functions while supporting exceptional guest experiences through a well-maintained and fully operational property.

This position operates in a fast-paced hotel or resort environment requiring an active leadership presence throughout the property, including back-of-house and guest-facing areas. Work involves frequent inspections, interaction with team members and vendors, and oversight of multiple systems and projects simultaneously. The role requires flexibility to work varied schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability for emergencies. Success in this role requires strong technical expertise, leadership capability, financial acumen, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Leadership & Department Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering and maintenance team.
• Schedule shifts, assign daily tasks, and monitor team performance.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards and operational procedures.
• Establish departmental goals aligned with overall hotel strategy.

Operations Management

• Oversee daily operations of all building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, elevators, and mechanical systems.
• Implement and maintain preventive maintenance programs.
• Respond to and resolve emergency repairs and system failures.
• Ensure all equipment and facilities are functioning efficiently and reliably.

Guest Experience

• Support guest satisfaction by maintaining a safe, comfortable, and fully operational environment.
• Respond promptly to maintenance-related guest concerns and service requests.
• Coordinate with front office and housekeeping teams to minimize guest disruption.
• Promote a service-oriented culture within the engineering team.

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage the engineering department budget.
• Monitor and control expenses related to repairs, utilities, and supplies.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality standards.
• Partner with vendors and contractors to ensure cost-effective services.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local building codes, fire safety regulations, and OSHA standards.
• Conduct regular inspections, audits, and safety checks.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, certifications, and inspections.
• Ensure adherence to brand standards and property maintenance expectations.

Energy Management

• Monitor energy consumption and utility usage across the property.
• Implement energy-efficient and sustainability initiatives.
• Drive efforts to reduce operational costs through resource optimization.

Project Management

• Oversee property renovations, upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
• Coordinate with contractors, architects, and hotel leadership.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Minimize operational disruption during project execution.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with housekeeping, front office, and other departments to support operations.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to maximize efficiency and room readiness.
• Maintain clear communication with leadership regarding property needs and project updates.
• Support property-wide initiatives and strategic objectives.

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field preferred.

Experience

5–10+ years of maintenance or engineering and leadership experience and required, preferably within hospitality or a similar environment.

Travel required

No travel required; position is property-based.

Physical requirements

• Frequent walking throughout all hotel areas, including mechanical spaces.
• Frequent standing, bending, climbing, and use of gross motor skills.
• Occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs.
• Use of tools and equipment requiring fine motor skills.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor environments, including mechanical rooms.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations in a fast-paced environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Financial acumen and budget management experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, compliance standards, and building codes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Certifications

Relevant engineering or safety certifications preferred (e.g., HVAC certification, OSHA training).

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in evaluating applications, including screening and ranking candidates based on job-related qualifications. These tools support, but do not replace, human decision-making. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

*The compensation range for this position is included in this posting and represents the range the Company reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation offered will be based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, education, certifications, geographic location, internal equity, market conditions, and business needs. In addition to base pay, eligible team members may have the opportunity to earn other forms of compensation, such as overtime pay, gratuities, service charges, shift differentials, commissions, bonuses, incentives, or other compensation programs, where applicable and permitted by law.

*The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible team members. Available benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions; paid sick leave and other legally required leave benefits; paid holidays; paid time off; life and disability insurance; an employee assistance program; hotel discounts; team member meal programs where offered; and other benefits and perks as determined by the Company. Benefit programs, eligibility requirements, coverage levels, waiting periods, employer contributions, and available offerings may vary based on position, work location, employment status, collective bargaining agreements, plan documents, and applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend, or terminate its benefit plans and programs at any time, subject to applicable law.