Chief Engineer

Rainmaker Team•Lexington, KY

About The Position

The Chief Engineer oversees the maintenance, repair, and physical condition of the hotel property. The role ensures building systems, guest rooms, public areas, equipment, and grounds are maintained safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively, in accordance with Hyatt brand standards and guest-service expectations. The Chief Engineer leads hotel engineering and maintenance operations, including preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs, property inspections, safety and regulatory compliance, renovations and capital projects, budgeting, utility management, inventory, and vendor coordination. The role also recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates engineering staff; responds to guest-impacting maintenance concerns; and supports emergency response procedures. The position requires hands-on maintenance and emergency repairs, with availability to respond to after-hours emergencies. Work may involve flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays when required, and indoor and outdoor conditions in varying weather.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Minimum 3–5 years of hotel maintenance experience.
Minimum 2 years of supervisory or management experience.
Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and life safety systems.
Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel maintenance management systems.
Strong leadership and team development skills.
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
Effective communication and organizational skills.
Budgeting and financial management experience.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays when required.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform hands-on maintenance and emergency repairs.
Availability to respond to after-hours emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Technical certification, vocational training, or an associate degree in engineering, maintenance, or a related field.
Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Direct and manage all hotel engineering and maintenance operations.
Implement and complete preventive maintenance programs according to Hyatt standards.
Maintain guest rooms, public areas, meeting spaces, exterior grounds, and back-of-house facilities.
Troubleshoot and repair HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building automation systems.
Respond promptly to maintenance requests from guests and hotel departments.
Inspect the property regularly and identify needed repairs and improvements.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, OSHA requirements, and hotel safety policies.
Maintain fire and life safety systems, emergency equipment, permits, licenses, and inspection records.
Lead safety inspections and corrective action plans.
Assist with planning and executing capital improvement projects and renovations.
Coordinate contractors, vendors, and service providers; monitor project timelines, budgets, and quality; and minimize disruption to guests.
Develop and manage the engineering department budget and monitor utility consumption, recommending energy-saving initiatives.
Maintain inventory of tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies; obtain quotes and negotiate with contractors and vendors; and control expenses while preserving property quality and guest satisfaction.
Recruit, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate engineering team members.
Promote safety, accountability, and teamwork; conduct performance evaluations and coaching; and assist with emergency-response procedures and staff training.
Resolve guest-impacting maintenance issues quickly and professionally and participate in guest recovery when maintenance concerns arise.
Maintain clean, functional, and well-presented facilities to support guest satisfaction.
Meet or exceed Hyatt property-condition standards, complete preventive maintenance on schedule, resolve work orders timely, maintain compliance, minimize downtime, and support overall hotel performance.