Lead Engineer

Description

Everyone Belongs at Palm House 

At Palm House, exceptional hospitality begins with exceptional people. We believe that creating memorable experiences for our guests starts with cultivating a workplace where every team member feels welcomed, respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. As a luxury hospitality destination, we recognize that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and ideas strengthens our team and enhances the personalized service we provide. We are committed to fostering a culture where inclusion is intentional, collaboration is encouraged, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. 

Our Commitment 

Palm House is dedicated to building and maintaining a workplace that: 

• Welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. 
• Promotes a culture of dignity, respect, and belonging. 
• Provides equal opportunities for recruitment, development, promotion, and career advancement. 
• Encourages open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect. 
• Maintains a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. 
• Invests in learning, leadership development, and continuous professional growth. 

Our People 

Our team reflects the diverse communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives each individual brings and believe that an inclusive workforce enables us to deliver thoughtful, personalized, and authentic hospitality. Every team member plays an important role in creating an environment where colleagues and guests alike feel welcomed and appreciated. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Palm House is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to making employment decisions based on qualifications, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and team members in accordance with applicable laws. 

Learning & Development 

We believe inclusion is strengthened through continuous learning. Palm House invests in ongoing education and professional development designed to support: 

• Leadership development 
• Respectful workplace practices 
• Guest service excellence 
• Professional growth and career advancement 
• A culture of collaboration and accountability 

These initiatives help ensure our team members are equipped to deliver Forbes-level service while supporting one another with professionalism and respect. Our Promise Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends beyond employment. It is reflected in how we welcome guests, support our colleagues, engage with our community, and uphold the values that define Palm House. By embracing different perspectives and treating everyone with dignity and respect, we create meaningful experiences for our guests and an exceptional workplace for our team. 

Join Our Team 

If you are passionate about luxury hospitality, exceptional service, and being part of an inclusive workplace where your contributions are valued, we invite you to explore career opportunities at Palm House. 

Palm House is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all. 

Position Summary

The Lead Engineer is responsible for supporting the Director of Engineering in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of all hotel building systems, with primary oversight of the property's HVAC and mechanical systems. This role serves as the senior engineering team member, ensuring all equipment operates safely, efficiently, and in accordance with luxury hospitality standards. The Lead Engineer provides technical leadership, supports preventive maintenance initiatives, coordinates contractors, and assists with department operations to ensure an exceptional guest and team member experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the Director of  Engineering in the day-to-day operation of the Engineering Department. 
• Act as the department lead in the Director of Engineering's absence. 
• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical support to Engineering team members. 
• Assist with assigning daily work orders and preventive maintenance tasks. 
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and service excellence. 

HVAC & Mechanical Systems

• Serve as the hotel's subject matter expert for all HVAC systems. 
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and repair of: 
  • Chillers 
  • Air Handling Units (AHUs) 
  • Fan Coil Units (FCUs) 
  • Cooling Towers 
  • Exhaust and Supply Fans 
  • Pumps 
  • Boilers and Water Heating Systems 
  • Building Automation System (BAS/BMS) 
• Troubleshoot complex HVAC and mechanical issues. 
• Monitor system performance and recommend operational improvements. 
• Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules to maximize equipment life and energy efficiency. 
• Ensure proper refrigerant handling and EPA compliance. 

Building Maintenance

• Maintain hotel mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems. 
• Respond promptly to engineering service requests. 
• Perform inspections of guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, and equipment rooms. 
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. 

Preventive Maintenance

• Assist in developing and executing the preventive maintenance program. 
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and equipment logs. 
• Identify maintenance trends and recommend corrective actions. 
• Assist with capital improvement planning and equipment replacement recommendations. 

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Coordinate HVAC contractors and outside vendors. 
• Verify quality of completed work.      
• Monitor contractor compliance with hotel safety standards. 
• Assist in obtaining quotes and managing project timelines. 

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain OSHA compliance and safe work practices. 
• Participate in emergency response procedures. 
• Ensure compliance with fire life safety standards. 
• Report unsafe conditions immediately. 

Guest Service

• Respond professionally to guest maintenance concerns. 
• Complete repairs efficiently  while minimizing guest disruption. 
• Support the hotel's Forbes Five-Star service standards by maintaining guest-facing areas to the  highest level. 

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED  required. 
• Technical or trade school certification preferred. 
• Minimum 5–7 years of engineering or facilities maintenance experience. 
• Minimum 3 years of commercial HVAC experience. 
• Hospitality or luxury hotel experience strongly preferred. 
• EPA Universal Certification preferred. 
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS/BAS). 
• Valid driver's license preferred.      

Knowledge & Skills

• Advanced HVAC troubleshooting and repair. 
• Knowledge of chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, and mechanical systems. 
• General understanding of: 
  • Electrical systems 
  • Plumbing 
  • Carpentry 
  • Painting 
  • Drywall 
  • General building maintenance 
• Ability to read blueprints and technical manuals. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities. 
• Computer proficiency with  maintenance management systems and Microsoft Office. 

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb ladders, and lift up to 75 pounds. 
• Work indoors and outdoors in  varying weather conditions. 
• Work in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and confined spaces as needed. 
• Ability to respond to emergency calls outside of regular business hours. 

Work Environment

• Fast-paced luxury hotel environment. 
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts as required. 
• May be required to respond to  emergency building situations at any time. 

Core Competencies

• Leadership 
• Technical Expertise 
• Accountability 
• Attention to Detail 
• Teamwork 
• Problem Solving 
• Guest Service Excellence 
• Safety Awareness 
• Time Management 
• Integrity