Assistant Director of Engineering

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.         
At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

Find your "pura vida", where adventure and relaxation meet. An unspoiled world of eco-luxury welcomes each guest to Latin America’s ultimate coastal retreat, offering unparalleled access to nature, adventure and relaxation. Central America’s exclusive Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort for six consecutive years, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica is the utmost location for adventure travellers, wellness seekers, culinary explorers, and cultural globetrotters. With customized itineraries for families and couples alike, we can’t wait for you to experience “Pura Vida” at Peninsula Papagayo.

At Four Seasons we consider life and work to be richer when we truly connect with the people and the environment around us. 

Our family members are masters at their crafts – a gardener can become an artist, a manager a conductor, a chef an inventor. We are looking for employees who share the Golden Rule: people who, by nature, believe in treating others as we would have them treat us. We look for our people to characterize a shared passion for excellence and to infuse that enthusiasm into everything they do. 

About Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo:  

From our hillside perch overlooking the Pacific Ocean, our expansive Costa Rican resort offers privacy while being your launching pad into boundless adventures. After a day of zip lining, surfing or hiking a volcano, return to our tropical retreat for farm-to-table dining from one of our five restaurants and bars, refreshing swims or relaxing spa treatments. With customized itineraries for families and couples alike, we can’t wait for you to experience “pura vida” at Peninsula Papagayo.

A professional specialized in the installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems and pipelines. Their main function is to ensure that the water, drainage, and sanitation systems of the hotel work properly and are in optimal condition. In other words, they are responsible for ensuring the adequate supply of hot and cold water in rooms and common areas, as well as troubleshooting issues such as leaks, clogs, and other inconveniences related to pipes and plumbing equipment.

Assistant Director of Engineering / Maintenance

Position Summary: The Assistant Director of Engineering / Maintenance supports the Director of Engineering in the planning, coordination, supervision, and control of the hotel’s engineering, maintenance, and technical operations. The position is responsible for supporting the reliable, safe, and efficient operation of the hotel’s facilities, equipment, and technical systems while maintaining established standards of quality, safety, energy efficiency, sustainability, and guest service. The Assistant Director works closely with the Director of Engineering, hotel leadership, operating departments, contractors, consultants, and service providers. The position may assume operational and supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Director of Engineering, according to the needs of the operation. Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Team Leadership and Supervision

Coordinate and supervise the engineering and maintenance team, assigning daily tasks according to operational priorities.

Provide technical guidance, direction, and follow-up to engineering and maintenance personnel.

Monitor the quality and timely completion of maintenance activities.

Ensure that work is performed in accordance with established procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.

Support the training and technical development of engineering personnel.

Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, discipline, and service excellence.

2. Maintenance Planning and Facility Operations

Plan, coordinate, and monitor preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.

Supervise the execution of maintenance programs for hotel facilities, equipment, and technical systems.

Monitor critical equipment and systems, including HVAC, chillers, pumps, electrical systems, plumbing, water systems, swimming pools, kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, and other infrastructure.

Conduct regular inspections of facilities to identify maintenance requirements, potential failures, and opportunities for improvement.

Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, efficiency, performance, and useful life.

Ensure maintenance activities are properly documented and followed up.

3. Resource and Budget Management

Support the Director of Engineering in managing departmental resources, including personnel, materials, tools, equipment, spare parts, and budget.

Coordinate the availability of materials and spare parts required for maintenance activities.

Follow up on purchase orders, contracted services, suppliers, and contractors.

Assist with maintenance cost control and resource optimization.

Maintain accurate records of equipment, assets, maintenance activities, spare parts, and contracted services.

Assist in preparing annual maintenance budgets and capital expenditure requirements.

4. Projects, Renovations, and Capital Improvements

Support the planning, coordination, and supervision of renovation, replacement, upgrade, and expansion projects.

5. Interdepartmental Coordination

Work closely with Rooms, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Security, IT, Finance, Purchasing, and other hotel departments. Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize their impact on hotel operations and the guest experience. Communicate technical issues that may affect hotel operations in a timely and professional manner. Participate in operational and technical meetings as required. Provide technical support to other departments when appropriate.

6. Safety, Compliance, and Regulations

Ensure maintenance activities are performed in accordance with applicable safety procedures, internal standards, and regulatory requirements.

Support compliance with building codes, occupational health and safety requirements, fire and life safety regulations, public health requirements, and other applicable standards. Participate in internal and external inspections related to hotel facilities and technical systems.

7. Emergency Response and Business Continuity

Support emergency preparedness and response procedures for situations that may affect hotel operations.

8. Reporting and Performance Management

Monitor maintenance KPIs and identify opportunities for improvement. Follow up on work orders and preventive maintenance compliance. Support the Director of Engineering in preparing operational reports, presentations, budgets, and technical analyses.

9. Required Qualifications

Education Bachelor’s degree or technical degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, Facilities Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.

Professional Experience: Previous experience in engineering, maintenance, facilities management, construction, or technical operations.

Experience in hotels, resorts, luxury properties, commercial buildings, hospitals, industrial facilities, or other technically complex environments is preferred.

10. Technical Basic Knowledge: The candidate should have practical knowledge of the principal technical systems and facilities found in a hotel environment, including:

Electrical systems, including low- and medium-voltage systems.

HVAC systems and chilled water systems.

Chillers, pumps, cooling towers, and water distribution systems.

Plumbing and domestic water systems.

Wastewater and drainage systems.

Hot water systems.

Swimming pools and associated equipment.

Fire alarm and life safety systems.

Building Management Systems (BMS).

Emergency generators and backup power systems.

Kitchen and laundry equipment.

Lighting systems and controls.

Energy efficiency and sustainability principles.

Technical drawings, schematics, and engineering documentation.

Preventive and predictive maintenance principles.

Computer, Engineering, and Design Software

The position requires proficiency with computer applications and technology used in maintenance management, engineering, and project coordination. Microsoft Office Working knowledge of: Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Teams

Strong Excel skills for maintenance reports, budgets, cost tracking, data analysis, KPIs, and operational controls are preferred.

Engineering and Design Software Basic to intermediate knowledge of the following is preferred: AutoCAD – ability to read, review, and make basic modifications to technical drawings. Revit – ability to review BIM models and understand building systems and technical information. SolidWorks or similar 3D design and modeling software. Other CAD, BIM, 3D modeling, or technical documentation software.

Advanced design skills are not required. However, the candidate should be able to understand and interpret technical drawings, engineering plans, schematics, construction details, and 3D models.

Maintenance and Building Systems Experience with CMMS or Computerized Maintenance Management Systems. Ability to manage work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, assets, inventory, and maintenance reports. Familiarity with Building Management Systems (BMS) and building automation systems is preferred.

Leadership and Management Skills Ability to lead and coordinate technical teams. Ability to delegate responsibilities and establish priorities. Results-oriented approach. Ability to work effectively with multiple departments. Ability to supervise contractors and service providers. Strong organizational and follow-up skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously. Ability to make sound operational decisions within the scope of the position. Communication Skills and English Proficiency Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish. Ability to prepare reports, technical documentation, emails, and administrative communications. Ability to communicate professionally with guests, employees, suppliers, contractors, consultants, and ownership representatives.

Intermediate English proficiency is required.

Guest and Service Orientation: Because of the nature of hotel operations, the position requires a strong service orientation and an understanding that Engineering and Maintenance have a direct impact on the guest experience. The successful candidate should be able to: Prioritize issues that directly affect guests. Coordinate maintenance activities while minimizing disruption to hotel operations. Maintain a professional and solution-oriented approach. Respond effectively to urgent and high-pressure situations. Communicate clearly with hotel departments and operational teams. Balance technical requirements with the operational needs of the hotel.