Regional Hotel Engineer
Reports to: Regional Director of Operations
Travel: Frequent travel across assigned properties (multi-property region in Central Pa)
Position Summary
The Regional Hotel Engineer is a hands-on, working engineering position — not a desk or purely supervisory role. This person provides technical expertise and project leadership across a portfolio of hotels, physically rolling up their sleeves alongside on-site maintenance teams on major repairs, capital projects, and complex systems troubleshooting that exceed the scope or capacity of individual property engineers. The ideal candidate is someone who can think through a problem, analyze root cause, and work it to a solution — not just replace parts or follow a checklist. This role also works closely with on-site maintenance staff to help manage workload and build their technical skills over time. It acts as a traveling subject-matter expert, stepping in where properties need extra hands, deeper technical knowledge, or project leadership for larger-scale work.
Key Responsibilities
- Work hands-on to lead and execute major maintenance and capital improvement projects across multiple properties (room renovations, HVAC replacements, plumbing system overhauls, elevator/life-safety projects, etc.)
- Work closely with on-site maintenance teams to assess and manage workload, jumping in on overflow or backed-up work orders so properties don't fall behind
- Provide continuous, ongoing training to on-site maintenance staff — not just one-time instruction — to steadily raise their HVAC, plumbing, and general repair skill levels over time
- Directly support and mentor on-site maintenance staff, providing technical guidance and physical hands-on assistance during high-volume periods or complex repairs
- Diagnose and resolve recurring guest-impacting issues — particularly HVAC/thermostat malfunctions, plumbing failures (showers, toilets, drains, water pressure), and general room condition deficiencies — using sound troubleshooting and root-cause analysis rather than trial-and-error
- Partner directly with the Regional Director of Operations (RDO) to manage ongoing preventive maintenance (PM) programs on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis — tracking completion, flagging at-risk equipment, and adjusting schedules based on property conditions
- Conduct property engineering audits, identifying preventive maintenance gaps before they become guest complaints
- Coordinate with property GMs and regional leadership to prioritize projects based on guest satisfaction data, brand standards, and safety/compliance requirements
- Manage outside contractors and vendors for specialized work, ensuring quality and cost control
- Maintain compliance with local codes, brand engineering standards, and life-safety requirements
- Respond to urgent multi-property engineering emergencies as needed
- Track project budgets, timelines, and parts/equipment procurement
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of hotel or facilities engineering experience, including supervisory or lead technician experience, with a strong hands-on/working background (this role performs the work, not just directs it)
- Working knowledge of HVAC systems (PTAC units, chillers, boilers, controls/thermostats) and/or plumbing systems (fixtures, water heaters, drainage, backflow prevention) — formal trade training, certification, or apprenticeship strongly preferred
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability — able to diagnose the actual cause of a problem, not just address symptoms
- Demonstrated ability to work independently across multiple locations with minimal day-to-day supervision — this is a self-starter role, not a "wait for the work order" role
- Experience coaching or training maintenance staff, with genuine interest in developing others' technical skills, not just completing tasks solo
- Comfortable managing recurring PM programs and reporting cadences (daily walk-throughs, monthly equipment checks, quarterly deep-dive audits) in coordination with the RDO
- Strong project management skills: able to scope, schedule, and see major projects through to completion
- Comfortable being the go-to technical resource for on-site teams who may lack deep HVAC/plumbing expertise
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly within the region
- General knowledge of electrical, carpentry, and basic building systems a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- EPA 608 Certification (refrigerant handling)
- Journeyman plumber or HVAC technician license
- CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certification
- Prior multi-property or regional engineering experience in hospitality
Core Competencies
- Hands-on / working engineer: does the work, not just delegates it
- Analytical problem solver: thinks through issues methodically to find root cause, not just quick fixes
- Self-directed / go-getter mentality: identifies problems proactively, doesn't wait to be told what to fix
- Teacher/mentor mindset: builds up the skill level of on-site maintenance staff through ongoing, continuous training — not a one-and-done approach
- Team support: helps on-site maintenance keep pace with workload during busy periods or staffing gaps
- Reliable PM partner: works closely with the RDO to keep preventive maintenance on track across daily, monthly, and quarterly cycles
- Guest-impact awareness: understands how engineering issues (temperature, plumbing, noise, condition) directly affect satisfaction scores and brand reputation
Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
