Chief Engineer at OTH Hotels Resorts in Lynchburg, VA

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 Title Chief Engineer Location Property
Department Maintenance Property, if applicable N/A
FLSA Exempt Direct Supervisor General Manager

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.

Job Responsibilities

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.
• Develop specialists within the team to self-perform high-quality professional level technical repairs.
• Provide reports and maintain clear communication regarding facility performance risks and project updates.

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.
• Drive productivity among engineering staff by setting challenging short and long term goals for the team.

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.
• Address systematic maintenance issues impacting guest satisfaction.
• Oversee rapid response and resolution of critical facility failures.

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.
• Develop relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure cost-effective services.
• Assess components of the hotel and project useful life to anticipate future expenditures.
• Manage inventory of tools, parts, and maintenance supplies.
• Protect and extend the life of property assets through proactive planning.

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.
• Ensure adherence to design standards established during the last renovation of the hotel.
• Ensure the engineering team delivers high-quality, durable repairs.

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.
• Optimize the use of low occupancy opportunities for the efficient execution of projects.

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 other than occasional pickup of locally sourced materials; 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.
• Capability of performing the tasks and projects assigned to and expected of the engineering team.

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.
• Ability to learn specialized finish repair techniques for stone, furniture, tile, wall coverings, painted casework, metal finishes, etc.
• Ability to learn from experts and recognize ways to ultimately self-perform technical repairs utilizing the engineering team.
• Ability to lead by example and serve as a role model for the engineering team.

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.