Engineering Shift Leader

About the role

The Engineering Shift Leader oversees daily maintenance and operational engineering activities during an assigned shift at a Kempinski hotel in Dubai. The role ensures machinery, plant utilities and automated systems run at peak efficiency and safety, manages on-shift engineering technicians, coordinates rapid responses to equipment downtime and implements preventative maintenance while complying with health, safety and environmental standards.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the engineering department and act as primary contact for coordination with other departments, minimising disruption to guests and hotel operations.
• Inspect and troubleshoot air handling units, fresh air units, 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 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 issues to engineering management.
• Maintain clear shift handovers, ensure the team follows safety and permit-to-work procedures, and assist the Engineering Director with staff development.
• Monitor fire alarm and life safety systems, observe energy and utilities usage, and read, log and interpret meter and gauge readings.
• Keep engineering areas clean and tidy, and perform engineering administration such as shift reports, team schedules and work order follow-up.

Required profile

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in hotel engineering, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role in a 5-star hotel.
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Excellent spoken and written English, able to communicate professionally with guests, colleagues and contractors and write clear technical reports.
• Ability to lead and coach technicians, prioritise urgent work and make sound decisions under pressure.

Required skills

• Hands-on mechanical troubleshooting of AHUs, FAHUs, split AC units, pumps, boilers, 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.
• Knowledge of energy and water conservation and familiarity with environmental management practices in hospitality.