Chief Engineer -- Union Position - Operating Engineers Local 39

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast 🚀).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe, efficient, and economical operation of the hotel’s physical plant and Engineering Department. This position provides day-to-day leadership to the hotel’s engineers and apprentice engineer while remaining actively involved in bargaining-unit engineering work.

This position is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between The Clift Hotel and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers Local 39. Wages, benefits, working conditions, and other terms of employment are governed by the CBA.

What you’ll be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the operation, care, preventive maintenance, and repair of the hotel’s steam, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, life-safety, and building-control systems.
• Maintain responsibility for the safe and economical operation of the hotel’s physical plant.
• Supervise, assign, and coordinate the work of employees under the Chief Engineer’s direction.
• Provide orientation, technical guidance, and training to engineers, apprentice engineers, and trainees.
• Carry out hotel management’s operational directives while maintaining compliance with the Local 39 CBA.
• Perform bargaining-unit engineering work in addition to leadership responsibilities.
• Perform the engineering duties assigned under the CBA, including the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, water-distribution, energy-management, and life-safety systems.
• Inspect equipment and mechanical areas regularly and identify maintenance, repair, safety, and capital-improvement needs.
• Develop and maintain preventive-maintenance programs, operating records, equipment logs, inspection reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Respond to emergency conditions involving building systems, utilities, guest rooms, public areas, and life-safety equipment.
• Coordinate appropriate work with outside vendors and contractors while observing CBA jurisdiction and bargaining-unit work requirements.
• Monitor energy usage and recommend measures that improve efficiency without compromising guest comfort, safety, or hotel operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety codes, environmental requirements, permits, and hotel policies.
• Co-chair the hotel Safety Committee, represent the Engineering Department, and support hotel-wide safety and injury-prevention programs.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels for tools, equipment, parts, and operating supplies.
• Work collaboratively with hotel leadership and operating departments to support guest service and uninterrupted hotel operations.
• Perform all other work customarily performed by stationary engineers and assigned to the Chief Engineer classification under the CBA.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and repairing mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, and building-control systems in a hotel, commercial building, hospital, or comparable facility.
• Previous supervisory or lead-engineer experience, preferably in a union environment.
• Strong knowledge of preventive maintenance, life-safety systems, workplace safety, energy management, and applicable building regulations.
• Ability to lead, train, schedule, and provide clear direction to a team of skilled engineers and apprentices.
• Ability to diagnose equipment failures and respond effectively to urgent building-system conditions.
• Strong organizational, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with hotel management, employees, union representatives, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and respond to emergencies outside regularly scheduled hours when required.
• Current job-related licenses, permits, and certifications required by applicable law or regulatory authorities.
• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification, OSHA training, and relevant stationary-engineering or building-operations certifications are preferred.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. These functions may include walking throughout the property; entering mechanical spaces; climbing stairs and ladders; bending, kneeling, reaching, and working in confined or elevated areas; using tools and testing equipment; and lifting or moving equipment and materials consistent with the requirements of the position.

Compensation and Benefits

The contractual Chief Engineer wage effective August 1, 2026, is $91.19 per hour. Applicable shift differentials, overtime, health and welfare benefits, pension, annuity, paid time off, holidays, and other employment terms are provided in accordance with the Local 39 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Anticipated Pay Range & Additional Job Information

Hourly rate is from $90.19 to $91.19 follows contract requirements.

How we reward you

At Sonesta, we know showing up for our guests starts with showing up for our people. That means supporting your health, your financial future, and everything in between. 

Here’s a snapshot of what we offer: 

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance  

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match  

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match  

• Paid Vacation & Sick Time  

• Paid Parental Leave  

• Company-Paid Life Insurance  

• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability  

• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness & Accident Insurance  

• Educational Assistance  

• Sonesta Hotel Discounts (yes, you’ll want to use these ✈️)  

• Additional Perks & Employee Discounts 
  
  

Our Commitment to You

Sonesta is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Before You Apply

To be considered, please complete the full application in addition to submitting your resume. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.