Task Force - Chief Engineer (Temporary)

HHM Hospitality; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HHM Hotels seeks a Task Force Chief Engineer for a temporary 30–60 day assignment to lead on-site engineering during pre-opening and opening phases. You will prepare building systems, coordinate inspections, and supervise vendor activity to ensure readiness for opening and long-term operation.

You will recruit and train the engineering team, establish preventive maintenance, and collaborate with hotel leadership to prioritize needs while meeting safety and brand standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in hotel engineering or facilities management with leadership responsibility.
• Experience supporting hotel pre-opening, opening, renovation, or property transition preferred.
• Experience in lifestyle, boutique, luxury, or full-service hotel environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, life-safety, and building systems.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and coordinate contractors, inspections, and preventive maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance operations during pre-opening and opening phases.
• Prepare building systems, equipment, guest rooms, and public areas for readiness.
• Coordinate inspections, permits, testing, and vendor activity with contractors and authorities.
• Identify and resolve facility-related issues across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life-safety domains.
• Establish preventive maintenance schedules, documentation, and inventory controls.
• Support turnover and commissioning of building systems from construction teams.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and direct the engineering team on site.
• Collaborate with hotel leadership to prioritize opening-related needs and resolve concerns.
• Monitor vendor performance, maintenance costs, and project timelines.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards and applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
• Provide status updates and document outstanding items for transition to permanent staff.
• Travel as required and adapt quickly to the hotel's needs.

Skills

HVAC systems

Electrical systems

Plumbing systems

Life-safety systems

Building management systems

Leadership experience

Contractor coordination

Troubleshooting

Tools

Building Management Systems (BMS)

Job description

Overview

Opportunity: Task Force Chief Engineer (Temporary)

We are seeking a Task Force Chief Engineer for a temporary assignment lasting approximately 30 to 60 days. This individual will provide on-site leadership and technical expertise during a hotel’s pre-opening and opening phases, including preparing building systems for operation, coordinating inspections and vendor activity, establishing preventive maintenance programs, supporting readiness testing, and building and training the property’s engineering team. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, adaptable leader who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, address immediate operational needs, and ensure the hotel is positioned for a successful opening and long-term operation.

Your Focus

• Lead the hotel’s engineering and maintenance operations throughout the pre-opening and opening phases.
• Prepare building systems, equipment, guest rooms, and public spaces for operational readiness.
• Coordinate required inspections, certifications, permits, and testing with contractors, vendors, and local authorities.
• Identify and resolve mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety, and other facility-related issues.
• Establish preventive maintenance schedules, procedures, documentation, and inventory controls.
• Support the turnover and commissioning of building systems from construction and development teams.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and provide daily direction to the property’s engineering team.
• Collaborate with hotel leadership and department heads to prioritize opening-related needs and resolve operational concerns.
• Monitor vendor performance, maintenance expenses, and project timelines.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, safety requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide clear status updates and document outstanding items for transition to the permanent property team.
• Travel as required and adapt quickly to the needs of the assigned hotel.

Your Background and Skills

• Minimum of five years of hotel engineering or facilities management experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Previous experience supporting a hotel pre-opening, opening, renovation, or property transition strongly preferred.
• Experience within a lifestyle, boutique, luxury, or full-service hotel environment preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, life-safety, and building management systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and coordinating contractors, vendors, inspections, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Ability to prioritize competing needs, troubleshoot effectively, and operate independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of applicable safety standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Flexibility to travel and remain on-site for the duration of the 30-to-60-day assignment.

Work Environment and Context

• Work schedule varies and may include working on holidays and weekends or alternate shifts.
• Requires standing for extended periods, walking, pushing, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending and reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling or crouching.

What We Believe

People Are Our Capability – Hearts That Serve – Only Excellence – Stay Nimble - Own It

About Us

HHM Hotels is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other group protected by law.