Chief Engineer

HRI Hospitality•Birmingham, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At HRI Hospitality, we offer a unique perspective on hotel ownership and management, focusing on restoring properties and developing new projects that become vibrant community centers. We seek individuals passionate about warm welcomes and creating unforgettable guest experiences. With a diverse portfolio of brands in exciting locations, HRI Hospitality is an ideal place for career growth. The Chief Engineer will oversee all engineering operations, maintenance tasks, and building systems for the property, managing and leading engineering staff, maintaining the preventive maintenance program, and ensuring safety and efficiency across the hotel. This role involves responding to maintenance requests, conducting property walks, coordinating with vendors, managing inventory, and supporting capital projects and budget management. The Chief Engineer will also communicate regularly with other departments to resolve maintenance needs and ensure a clean, organized, and safe engineering shop.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum 4–6 years of hotel, facility, or commercial building maintenance experience.
Prior supervisory or lead maintenance experience required.
Strong background in building systems, preventive maintenance, and safety compliance required.
Extensive knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, boilers, mechanical, refrigeration, and life-safety systems.
Strong leadership, communication, and team development abilities.
Ability to diagnose problems, perform repairs, and coordinate larger maintenance projects.
Knowledge of OSHA regulations, fire/life safety standards, and building codes.
Ability to manage inventory, tools, and vendor relationships.
Proficiency with CMMS/work order systems and Microsoft Office.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including on-call rotations, nights, weekends, and emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Technical or vocational training in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or related fields strongly preferred.
Certifications such as EPA, CPO, HVAC license, or related credentials preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee all engineering operations, maintenance tasks, and building systems for the property.
Manage, lead, and schedule engineering staff; provide training and performance feedback.
Maintain and execute the property's preventive maintenance (PM) program.
Ensure all equipment, systems, and areas of the hotel are functioning safely and efficiently.
Respond promptly to guestroom and public area maintenance requests.
Conduct daily property walks, identify issues, and coordinate necessary repairs.
Maintain accurate logs, PM records, work orders, and compliance documentation.
Oversee safety compliance including fire systems, emergency equipment, and life-safety standards.
Coordinate with vendors and contractors for major repairs, inspections, and service agreements.
Monitor inventory levels for parts, tools, and supplies, and manage purchasing needs.
Support capital project planning and assist with budget management.
Communicate regularly with Housekeeping, Front Office, and other departments to resolve maintenance needs.
Ensure a clean, organized, and safe engineering shop and mechanical areas.
Perform additional duties as assigned by management.