Hotel Chief Engineer

The Hotel Chief Engineer provides engineering and maintenance leadership for a full-service hotel, acting as the primary technical resource for building systems. This onsite role in Sandston, VA focuses on safety, operational reliability, preventive maintenance, and clear coordination across hotel departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote safe work practices, accountability, and teamwork across the engineering function.
• Plan, prioritize, and complete maintenance and repair work throughout the entire property.
• Manage a preventive maintenance program covering mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
• Maintain the central plant and building systems, including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, elevators, and fire and life safety systems.
• Coordinate maintenance and service for commercial kitchen, refrigeration, and laundry equipment.
• Partner with food and beverage, banquet, housekeeping, and front desk teams to address maintenance needs while minimizing guest and operational disruption.
• Coordinate vendors and contractors, review proposals, and monitor work quality and completion.
• Manage department budgets, expenses, supplies, and equipment purchases.
• Ensure compliance with building, fire safety, environmental, and OSHA regulations while maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Lead emergency response procedures for equipment failures, power outages, and other unexpected events using a calm, practical approach.
• Lead, schedule, and develop maintenance staff.

Requirements

• Positive attitude with a willingness to help others succeed.
• Proven experience in a senior maintenance, engineering, or facilities management role, with full-service hotel experience preferred.
• Expert knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fire and life safety systems, including the ability to diagnose and resolve complex issues.
• Experience with central plant equipment, commercial kitchen and laundry equipment, and pools.
• Ability to lead with a positive, professional approach, work independently, and motivate and hold a team accountable.
• Clear communication skills, both verbal and in writing, including the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical team members.
• Strong problem-solving skills with close attention to detail in planning, documentation, and record-keeping.
• Comfort using computers and electronic devices, familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and contractors.
• Flexibility to respond to operational needs and emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Applicable licenses or certifications required for assigned work and location.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field (preferred).

Salary and Location

• Location: Sandston, VA (onsite)
• Compensation: USD 21 to 25 per hour

Technologies

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel

Benefits

• Holiday pay when you work a holiday
• Shamin Perks: deals on tickets, rental cars, attractions, and footwear
• Employee discounts at branded hotels
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Pre-Paid Legal
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Pet insurance

Referral Rewards

Once you are on the team, you can earn a $200 referral bonus for every friend you refer who gets hired, subject to conditions.

What You Can Expect

• Real ownership: You run engineering for the property and have direct input into how it is maintained and improved.
• Variety and challenge: Work includes preventive maintenance, capital projects, vendor coordination, and emergency response.
• Support behind you: Close partnership with the General Manager and access to resources from a large, established hotel company.
• Room to grow: With 80+ hotels, internal advancement opportunities are available, including progression to Regional Engineering leadership.

About the Company

In 1978, two family members bought a bankrupt hotel in Lumberton, NC, combining their last names (Shah + Amin) to create Shamin. Today, the company is the largest hotel owner and operator in Virginia, with 80+ hotels and continued growth.