Engineering Manager - Austin Proper Hotel

Situated in Downtown's Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is an iconic luxury destination just steps from Lady Bird Lake, ACL Live, and the city's best shopping. With expressive interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary concepts by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the hotel offers 238 design-forward rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, immersive wellness experiences, and menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Wellness, design, and culture, seamlessly woven into every stay.

Job Summary:

The Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, and overall functionality of the hotel's infrastructure, including mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and building systems. This position ensures that all hotel facilities are operating efficiently and safely, contributing to an optimal guest experience. The Engineering Manager leads a team of engineers and maintenance staff, coordinates maintenance schedules, manages equipment repairs, and helps implement cost-effective, sustainable solutions. This role requires hands-on management and a strong technical background in building systems.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Supervision:

• Lead and supervise a team of engineers and maintenance technicians, ensuring high performance, productivity, and adherence to safety standards.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the engineering department, including scheduling shifts, assigning tasks, and providing guidance on maintenance procedures.

• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing training and development opportunities for the engineering team.

• Foster a collaborative work environment, ensuring open communication, teamwork, and effective problem-solving across the department.

• Facility Maintenance & Operations:

• Oversee the repair, maintenance, and operation of the hotel's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and building systems.

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules to ensure all systems are inspected, serviced, and functioning properly.

• Respond promptly to emergency repair requests or service disruptions, troubleshooting and resolving issues in a timely manner to minimize guest impact.

• Conduct regular inspections of hotel facilities and systems to identify potential maintenance issues and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

• Project Management:

• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of capital improvement projects, renovations, and major repairs, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.

• Work with external contractors, vendors, and hotel management to execute project goals, ensuring quality and safety standards are met throughout the process.

• Assist with the installation, upgrade, and commissioning of new systems or equipment, ensuring smooth integration with existing hotel operations.

• Budget & Resource Management:

• Assist in the development and management of the engineering department's budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost-effective management of maintenance and repair activities.

• Oversee inventory management for engineering supplies, tools, and spare parts, ensuring adequate stock levels while minimizing waste.

• Manage the purchase of supplies and equipment, working with vendors to ensure the best quality and competitive pricing.

• Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure that all hotel systems are compliant with local building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards.

• Lead the team in conducting safety inspections and implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Ensure compliance with environmental sustainability guidelines and promote energy-efficient practices within the department.

• Respond to safety or emergency incidents as needed, coordinating with relevant hotel departments and authorities.

• Guest Satisfaction & Issue Resolution:

• Address guest-related engineering issues promptly and professionally, ensuring that guest complaints related to facilities or maintenance are resolved quickly.

• Work with other departments (e.g., Housekeeping, Front Office) to resolve any maintenance-related issues that impact guest satisfaction, such as room repairs or facility problems.

• Maintain a proactive approach to minimizing potential disruptions to guests, ensuring that hotel systems are functioning smoothly at all times.

• Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, inspections, and safety protocols.

• Prepare regular reports on the status of hotel systems, ongoing maintenance issues, and any capital projects to keep senior management informed.

• Monitor and track maintenance requests through the hotel's work order system, ensuring all requests are completed on time and to satisfaction.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in facilities or engineering management, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role in the hospitality industry.
• Strong technical knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
• Experience with capital projects, renovations, and vendor management is preferred.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, train, and develop a team of maintenance and engineering professionals.
• In-depth knowledge of building systems, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and a proactive approach to maintenance.
• Ability to work well under pressure and resolve issues quickly, ensuring minimal disruption to hotel operations.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, building codes, and environmental sustainability practices.
• Proficient in using maintenance management software, work order systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around the hotel property for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move heavy equipment or materials, up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional need to climb ladders, operate machinery, or work in confined spaces.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people - and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we're committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it's an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity

(Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment - a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job - it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.