Engineering Shift Leader

The Engineering Shift Leader oversees daily maintenance and operational engineering activities during an assigned shift. This role ensures machinery, plant utilities, and automated systems operate at peak efficiency and safety. The Shift Leader manages on-shift engineering technicians, coordinates rapid responses to equipment downtime, and implements preventative maintenance routines while maintaining compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day to day operations of the engineering and related departments.
• Primary contact to communicate and coordinate work from other departments.
• Minimise disruption to guests and hotel operations.
• Inspect and troubleshoot air handling units (AHUs), fresh air handling units (FAHUs), split air-conditioning units, pumps, boilers, swimming pool equipment, and water treatment systems.
• Supervise routine electrical, plumbing, and civil maintenance across guest areas, residences, and back-of-house facilities.
• Use the hotel’s computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to track work orders, record repairs, and monitor preventive maintenance completion.
• Conduct plant room inspections, record operating readings, and escalate recurring faults or critical equipment issues to engineering management.
• Maintain clear shift handovers, including outstanding jobs, equipment status, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure the team follows hotel safety and permit-to-work procedures.
• Assist Engineering Director with developing and managing all engineering staff members
• Ensure regulatory compliance to facility regulations and safety standards.
• Fire Alarm/Life Safety System - to monitor systems as necessary, to be fully informed of the system operation and to handle emergencies involving the systems. To have a working knowledge of fire sprinkler and emergency power systems.
• Energy Conservation - to observe energy and utilities usage in the hotel and on the grounds. To look for ways to conserve energy and report any ideas to the Engineering Management
• Records - to read, log, track and interpret readings from meters, gauges and other measuring units. To maintain a thorough log of each day’s activities and problems that occur and to ensure this information is passed on to other shifts.
• Departmental Duties - to clean all engineering areas as directed by Engineering Management. To work in a neat and efficient manner, keeping work areas clean and well organized.
• Performs all duties and responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with established company policies and procedures to achieve overall objectives of this position.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in hotel engineering, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role in a 5-star hotel.
• Minimum diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to communicate professionally with guests, colleagues, and contractors and write clear technical reports.
• Strong hands-on mechanical troubleshooting skills, particularly with AHUs, FAHUs, split AC units, pumps, boilers, swimming pool systems, and water treatment equipment.
• Practical knowledge of hotel electrical systems, plumbing, and civil maintenance.
• Experience using a CMMS for preventive maintenance scheduling, work order tracking, and reporting.
• Ability to lead and coach technicians, prioritise urgent work, and make sound decisions under pressure.

Technical Skills:

• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify the root causes of recurring faults and propose practical, innovative improvements.
• Knowledge of energy and water conservation, with experience identifying efficiency opportunities in hotel equipment and operations.
• Familiarity with environmental management practices in hospitality, such as waste segregation, resource monitoring, and sustainability audit support.
• Engineering administration experience, including preparing shift reports, coordinating team schedules, maintaining records, and following up on work orders.

About Kempinski

Founded in Germany in 1897, Kempinski Hotels has long reflected the finest traditions of European hospitality. Today, as ever, Kempinski is synonymous with distinctive luxury.

Located in many of the world's most well-known cities and resorts, the Kempinski collection includes hotels in a grand manner, pace-setting modern establishments and older hotels of individual charm. All blend gracefully into their surroundings and offer luxurious accommodation, superb cuisine and unrivalled facilities - complemented by impeccable service.

For leisure and business guests alike, the name Kempinski has long been synonymous with style, mobility and efficiency. Put simply, they are the first choice for the discerning individual.

In addition to operating many of the finest city hotels in the world, Kempinski is a name that can now be found in many exciting resort locations, each combining local flair and ambience with the international standards of service and luxury that Kempinski guests have come to expect.