Assistant Chief Engineer – Pre‑Opening Luxury Hotel

About the role

The Assistant Chief Engineer (ACE) will support the Director of Engineering in delivering a fully commissioned, safe and operational engineering function for Mandarin Oriental Makati, a new 5‑star hotel opening in 2026. The role drives the pre‑opening technical programme and ensures a smooth transition to stable, guest‑ready operations.

Key responsibilities

• Co‑own the engineering pre‑opening critical path, including system handovers, O&M manuals, as‑builts, warranties, asset registry and CMMS/PPM setup.
• Coordinate testing & commissioning of MEP, BMS, elevators, fire life‑safety, water systems, kitchen and laundry equipment, façade and building envelope.
• Lead defect management with contractors and consultants, tracking punch‑lists to closure before opening.
• Secure statutory permits and certifications such as Fire Safety Inspection Certificate and Occupancy Permit on schedule.
• Develop engineering SOPs, EHS procedures, emergency response plans, lockout/tagout (LOTO) processes and handover checklists.
• Plan, staff and train the pre‑opening engineering team, ensuring brand onboarding and required certifications.
• Set up and manage CMMS with asset tagging, preventive maintenance plans, task frequencies and spares inventory for ongoing operations.
• Ensure optimal operation of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, ELV, vertical transportation and kitchen/laundry equipment.

Required profile

• Mastery of craft with a strong technical background in hotel engineering.
• Growth‑mindset, integrity, respect and a collaborative team attitude.
• Proven ability to lead pre‑opening engineering programmes and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience delivering engineering solutions that meet brand, safety and regulatory standards.

Required skills

• MEP systems
• Building Management System (BMS)
• HVAC operation and maintenance
• Electrical distribution systems
• Plumbing and water systems
• Fire life‑safety systems and certification
• Elevator and vertical transportation systems
• Testing & commissioning procedures
• Defect management and punch‑list tracking
• CMMS implementation and asset tagging
• Preventive maintenance planning
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety procedures