Chief Engineer - Aloft Charleston Hotel

Lexima; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lexima in Charleston is seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to oversee the engineering and maintenance for its Aloft Hotel properties. This role balances hands-on technical work with leadership, ensuring safety, brand standards, and guest satisfaction across two properties.

The ideal candidate will lead preventive maintenance programs, supervise maintenance teams, manage vendors and contractors, and drive capital projects while maintaining HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other building systems

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hotel engineering, maintenance, facilities, or building operations experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and building systems.
• Experience supervising maintenance teams across two properties is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all engineering and maintenance functions for the property.
• Maintain guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, mechanical rooms, grounds, and building systems in excellent operating condition.
• Establish and maintain a preventive maintenance program for both properties.
• Conduct regular property inspections and identify issues before guests are affected.
• Prioritize work orders based on guest impact, safety, and operational needs.
• Respond promptly to maintenance emergencies and after-hours issues when required.
• Perform hands-on repairs and troubleshooting across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building systems.
• Maintain hotel equipment such as swimming pool, hot tub, laundry, kitchen, fitness facilities.

Skills

HVAC knowledge

Electrical systems

Leadership

Vendor management

Preventive maintenance

CMMS software

Tools

CMMS software

Elevator systems

Job description

Lexima is seeking an experienced and hands-on ChiefEngineer to oversee the engineering and maintenance operations for our Aloft Hotel located in Charleston.

This position is responsible for maintaining the physicalcondition, safety, functionality, and appearance of both hotels while ensuringa high level of guest satisfaction and compliance with brand standards. TheDual Chief Engineer will lead preventative maintenance efforts, oversee repairsand projects, manage vendors and contractors, and provide leadership to themaintenance teams across both properties.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-orientedmaintenance professional who can respond to operational needs, and balance hands-on technical work withleadership and administrative responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all engineering and maintenancefunctions for the property.
• Maintain guest rooms, public areas,back-of-house spaces, mechanical rooms, grounds, and building systems inexcellent operating condition.
• Establish and maintain an effective preventivemaintenance program for both properties.
• Conduct regular property inspections andidentify maintenance, safety, and appearance issues before they impact guests.
• Prioritize work orders based on guest impact,safety, operational needs, and urgency.
• Respond promptly to maintenance emergencies andafter-hours issues when required.
• Perform hands-on repairs and troubleshootinginvolving HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliances, doors, locks, lighting,equipment, and general building systems.
• Maintain swimming pool, hot tub, laundry,kitchen, fitness, and other hotel equipment as applicable.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, schedule, train, coach, and developmaintenance team members across both properties.
• Establish clear expectations for productivity,responsiveness, preventive maintenance, cleanliness, and professionalism.
• Partner with the General Manager and departmentleaders to address maintenance concerns and operational priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork,safety, and excellent guest service.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Coordinate and oversee outside contractors andservice providers.
• Obtain estimates and assist with vendorselection and project planning.
• Monitor contractor performance, work quality,and completion timelines.
• Maintain service agreements and ensure requiredinspections and certifications are completed.
• Manage relationships with HVAC, plumbing,electrical, elevator, fire/life-safety, pool, landscaping, pest control, andother specialty vendors.

Capital Projects & Property Improvements

• Assist with planning and execution of capitalprojects, renovations, property improvements, and major repairs.
• Coordinate with ownership, management,contractors, and vendors to minimize disruption to hotel operations.
• Monitor project timelines, quality, andcompletion.
• Identify opportunities to improve energyefficiency, equipment reliability, and overall property condition.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hotel engineering, maintenance,facilities, or building operations experience preferred.
• Previous Chief Engineer, Engineering Manager,Maintenance Manager, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience overseeing maintenance for multipleproperties is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical,refrigeration, general construction, and building systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programsand work-order systems.
• Experience managing vendors, contractors,inspections, and service agreements.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skillswith the ability to manage competing needs across two hotels.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently while partneringeffectively with hotel leadership.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solvingskills.
• Certifications or specialized training in HVAC,electrical, pool operations, or other relevant disciplines are a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel,climb ladders, and work in confined or mechanical spaces.
• Ability to lift and carry tools, equipment, andmaterials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varyingweather conditions.
• Ability to respond to maintenance emergenciesand operational needs outside of normal business hours when necessary.
• Flexible schedule, including occasionalevenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call responsibilities.