Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer at Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection, leads all engineering and maintenance operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and beautifully maintained environment that reflects the hotel's art-and-science-driven guest experience in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. This role is responsible for the physical plant, life-safety systems, preventative maintenance program, capital planning, and the leadership and development of the engineering team.

• Lead and oversee all hotel engineering and maintenance operations, including guestrooms, public areas, back-of-house, and building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and life safety).

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for all guest rooms, equipment, and building systems to minimize downtime and protect assets.

• Ensure all life-safety, regulatory, and brand standards are met, including fire alarm and suppression systems, emergency lighting, elevators, boilers, and OSHA compliance; maintain all required inspections, logs, and certifications.

• Lead, train, schedule, and performance-manage the engineering team, fostering a hands-on culture focused on safety, responsiveness, and exceptional internal customer service.

• Respond to and prioritize guest room and public-area work orders, partnering closely with Front Office, Housekeeping, and Food & Beverage to support a seamless guest experience.

• Oversee the operation, upkeep, and cleanliness of all mechanical rooms, maintenance shops, and back-of-house engineering areas, ensuring correct Lock Out/Tag Out and other safety procedures at all times.

• Monitor, analyze, and manage energy usage and utilities, recommending and implementing energy-efficiency and sustainability initiatives that align with hotel and ownership goals.

• Assist in developing and managing engineering operating budgets and capital expenditure plans; obtain and evaluate bids, recommend vendors, and oversee small to medium projects as assigned.

• Serve as the primary engineering representative in hotel leadership and department head meetings, communicating project status, risks, and needs to the General Manager and executive team.

• Coordinate and supervise outside contractors and vendors, ensuring work quality, adherence to specifications, and minimal disruption to guests and operations.

• Participate in property emergency response, including fire alarms, power outages, floods, and severe weather events, and train team members on emergency and safety procedures.

• Perform routine inspections of the property's interior and exterior, identifying and addressing deficiencies in line with Hotel EMC2's art-meets-science design ethos and brand standards.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the General Manager or designee.

• Experience as a hotel Chief Engineer or Engineering Manager with a proven track record in a full-service, upscale, or lifestyle hotel environment, preferably in a branded setting.

• Strong working knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, and mechanical equipment, and ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience hiring, scheduling, coaching, and developing a multi-skill engineering or maintenance team.

• Familiarity with local building codes, fire codes, and OSHA regulations; ability to maintain documentation for inspections, audits, and brand standards.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, high-occupancy urban hotel environment.

• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner with all departments and support a guest-first service culture.

• Proficiency with maintenance management systems (work order and PM software) and basic Microsoft Office tools.

• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage, based on business and operational needs.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, trade, or vocational training in engineering, HVAC, electrical, or related field strongly preferred.

• Relevant certifications such as EPA Universal, boiler license, electrical license, or other trade licenses are highly desirable and may be required by local code.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.

• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and occasionally more with assistance.

• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions (hot, cold, noisy, dusty) as part of routine building system maintenance.

Compensation and Benefits

• $90,000.00 per year

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Our offerings include:

• Medical Plans: Choice of three plans to meet your healthcare needs.
• Dental Plans: Two options for dental coverage.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine eye care and eyewear.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): To support work-life balance.

• Accident/Hospital Indemnity/Critical Illness plans (new for 2026).

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Plan for your future with employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending