Chief Engineer, USC Hotel

USC Auxiliary Services, one of the largest divisions at The University of Southern California, is focused on making a difference for over 65,000 students, athletes, faculty, staff, and guests who visit our campuses each day. Through our innovative services, our six central business units (USC Bookstores, USC Hospitality, USC Housing, USC Transportation, the USC Hotel and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) collectively create the best USC experience for future leaders, scientists, filmmakers, engineers, and doctors alike. Auxiliary Services works tirelessly to welcome all visitors into the Trojan family. We are driven to succeed by our commitment to uphold our unifying values.

The city of Los Angeles boasts endless attractions and tourist destinations. Amongst all of the sights and sounds, theUSC Hoteloffers a modern and convenient place to unwind, with 240 spacious, comfortable guest rooms and over 15,000 square feet of flexible event space. Owned and operated by the University of Southern California, and the site of a recent multi-million dollar renovation, the hotel features luxurious fabrics and artwork depicting the storied traditions of USC. Additional renovations, which include the restaurants and kitchens, are in the planning stage.

We are seeking a Chief Engineer, USC Hotelto join our rapidly growing team.

The Opportunity:

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall leadership, operation, and maintenance of the hotel's facilities and building systems, including all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety systems. This role ensures that all systems function efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable codes and brand standards. The Chief Engineer oversees the engineering team, manages preventive and corrective maintenance programs, and ensures timely response to guest-impacting issues.

This position collaborates closely with other hotel departments to support daily operations, minimize downtime, and maintain high standards of guest comfort and satisfaction. The Chief Engineer is also responsible for managing departmental budgets, coordinating with external contractors and vendors, and ensuring the hotel is prepared for emergencies. This role is vital in delivering a safe, well-maintained, and welcoming environment for both guests and staff.

The Accountabilities:

• Lead and manage the daily operations of the hotel's Engineering Department, overseeing the maintenance, repair, and functionality of all building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety equipment. Personally perform and oversee in-house repairs of HVAC units, plumbing systems, and electrical components to ensure safe and efficient operations.

• Supervise, schedule, and mentor the engineering team, ensuring all staff operate in accordance with hotel policies, safety regulations, and standard operating procedures. Direct recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management efforts to build a strong, service-oriented team.

• Serve as the primary Engineering point of contact for operational emergencies, responding promptly to critical issues such as system failures, power outages, or major leaks. Remain available on-call to support urgent situations, ensuring minimal disruption to hotel operations and maintaining guest safety and comfort.

• Participate in the Weekend Manager on Duty (MOD) program, representing the Engineering department and supporting overall hotel operations during assigned MOD shifts.

• Develop and implement a robust preventive maintenance program using the hotel's maintenance management system. Ensure all building systems and equipment are routinely serviced, tracked, and logged to maximize operational efficiency and lifespan.

• Manage the engineering department's budget, purchasing, and inventory, including the creation of purchase orders, cost tracking, and vendor relationships. Ensure proper inventory levels for tools, parts, and materials, and enforce safety and compliance in storage and usage.

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable safety codes, fire regulations, and building standards, including OSHA, local/state/federal guidelines, and brand-specific requirements. Conduct regular inspections and drills and lead emergency preparedness planning and training.

• Partner with hotel leadership and department heads to resolve maintenance issues that impact the guest experience or operations. Provide technical expertise for capital improvement projects and renovations, and manage third-party contractors and vendors as needed.

• Supervises unit employees and/or student workers, as assigned. Schedules, assigns and prioritizes workloads. Sets appropriate deadlines. Monitors employee performance on a regular basis. Ensures timely completion of unit's work.

• Coordinates with university departments and/or outside contractors and vendors for facilities operations and maintenance and construction and renovation projects.

• Develops and administers the annual operating budget for facilities managed. Reviews, authorizes and monitors expenses for utilities, materials and supplies, repairs, maintenance and project work. Provides budget reports on a regular basis.

• Prepares long and short-range plans for the use of facilities. Maintains analysis of space and equipment requirements and allocates usage based on departmental priorities.

• Develops and implements deferred maintenance and preventative maintenance programs.

• Manages environmental health and safety programs. Conducts safety inspections, determining whether conditions are safe and any remedial actions required to allow work to continue. Provides health and safety equipment. Maintains records for compliance with government and university regulations.

• Conducts periodic security surveys. Coordinates and resolves security concerns. Controls procedures for facility access to include establishment of guidelines for issue of keys and maintenance of related records.

• Inspects equipment and coordinates required repairs and/or purchases.

• Coordinates and monitors construction and renovation projects. Provides cost and status reports as requested.

• Manages telecommunications system for assigned facility to include coordination with vendor on installation, maintenance and upgrade of systems. Provides for training of staff as needed.

• Coordinates energy management programs to achieve reduction of associated costs.

• Interfaces with general counsel and other appropriate university offices to obtain approval for legal documents

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Related undergraduate study. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in hotel engineering, facilities maintenance, or a related field, including 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.

• Expertise: Proven expertise in managing building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety), overseeing preventive maintenance programs, ensuring code compliance, and leading engineering teams. Experience with budgeting, vendor management, and capital project support is strongly preferred. Coursework and/or experience in business administration along with work experience in facilities management.

• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.

Additional Information:

• No set schedule.

• May be required to work weekends, evenings and/or holidays.

• Must have full availability to support the needs of the business.

The Trojan Family Rewards:

We pride ourselves in creating theBEST USC EXPERIENCE, and that begins with our employees! We offer a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families. For more information, please visithttps://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/.

This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being. As members of the Trojan family, employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans!

The work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust and synergy amongst all of its members.

USC has great minds that transform the world with their talents and research.

Will you be one? Join us!

FIGHT ON!

The annual base salary range for this position is $103,591.76 - $120,000.When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

*Education: Related undergraduate study. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
*Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in hotel engineering, facilities maintenance, or a related field, including 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
*Expertise:
oProven expertise in managing building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety), overseeing preventive maintenance programs, ensuring code compliance, and leading engineering teams.
oExperience with budgeting, vendor management, and capital project support is strongly preferred.
oCoursework and/or experience in business administration along with work experience in facilities management.
*In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.