Assistant Engineering Manager

Our Habitas is a global home for a global community of like-minded people seeking connection, inspiration and a better future together. Their experience is powered by music, wellness, art, adventure, food, learning and giving back. Through these pillars, they craft magical worlds of wonder in which strangers become friends and friends become family. This is what Our Habitas call luxury for the soul. Some experiences at Our Habitas have been so impactful that they have made them ritualistic, existing at each of their homes around the world in their own unique way. From the Welcome Ceremony to Family Dinner through to Storytelling and Sunday Sunset Sessions, Our Habitas seek to provide a new kind of hospitality where they bridge the gap between old-world luxury and experiential-first travel.

Job Description

The Assistant Engineering Manager supports the overall management of the Engineering Department, ensuring that the resort’s facilities, equipment, guest villas, public areas, Heart of House areas, and technical systems are maintained to the highest standards of safety, functionality, efficiency, and guest experience.

The role supports the Director of Engineering/Chief Engineer in leading the Engineering team, implementing preventive maintenance programs, responding to operational requirements, managing contractors and suppliers, controlling costs, and ensuring compliance with all applicable health, safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.

As part of Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, the Assistant Engineering Manager is expected to combine strong technical expertise with a hands-on, solutions-focused leadership approach, ensuring that engineering operations contribute positively to both the guest and associate experience.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Engineering Operations & Maintenance

• Support the day-to-day operation of the Engineering Department and ensure the smooth functioning of all resort facilities and equipment.
• Conduct regular inspections of guest villas, public areas, F&B outlets, kitchens, offices, associate areas, and other facilities to identify maintenance requirements.
• Ensure all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, water, drainage, and other building systems are maintained in safe and efficient operating condition.
• Respond promptly to engineering-related guest and operational requests, prioritizing issues according to urgency and potential impact.
• Troubleshoot technical problems and provide practical solutions to minimize operational disruption.
• Coordinate repairs and maintenance activities with other departments to minimize inconvenience to guests.
• Ensure engineering workshops, plant rooms, storage areas, and technical spaces are maintained in a safe, clean, and organized condition.

Preventive Maintenance & Asset Management

• Support the implementation and monitoring of the resort's preventive maintenance program.
• Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are completed on time and accurately documented.
• Maintain appropriate records for equipment servicing, repairs, inspections, warranties, and maintenance history.
• Identify recurring defects and conduct root-cause analysis to reduce repeat breakdowns.
• Monitor the condition and performance of resort assets and recommend repair, replacement, or improvement where required.
• Ensure critical spare parts and engineering supplies are maintained at appropriate levels, particularly considering the resort's remote location.

Guest Experience

• Ensure all engineering concerns affecting guests are addressed with urgency, professionalism, and sensitivity.
• Work closely with Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Spa, Security, and other departments to resolve maintenance-related guest concerns.
• Personally follow up on significant or recurring technical issues affecting the guest experience.
• Ensure Engineering associates demonstrate appropriate grooming, communication, and service standards when working in guest-facing areas or occupied villas.
• Promote a preventive approach to maintenance to minimize technical issues before they impact guests.

Team Leadership

• Assist in leading, supervising, scheduling, and developing the Engineering team.
• Allocate daily assignments and ensure appropriate follow-up and completion of work orders.
• Conduct daily briefings and ensure effective communication and handover between shifts.
• Monitor team performance and provide regular coaching, feedback, and technical guidance.
• Support the training and development of Engineering associates to improve technical capability and operational effectiveness.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, ownership, and a positive working environment.
• Support the Director of Engineering/Chief Engineer in managing performance and addressing conduct or performance concerns in coordination with People & Culture.
• Assume responsibility for the Engineering Department in the absence of the Director of Engineering/Chief Engineer when required.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure engineering activities comply with all applicable health, safety, fire and life safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.
• Ensure team members follow appropriate safety procedures, including the correct use of PPE, tools, equipment, and chemicals.
• Participate in fire and life safety inspections, emergency preparedness, drills, and testing of critical systems.
• Identify and immediately report potential hazards and take appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure contractors comply with the resort's safety and security requirements while working on property.
• Maintain accurate inspection, testing, maintenance, and compliance records.

Energy & Sustainability

• Monitor energy and water consumption and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Support initiatives to reduce energy consumption, water usage, waste, and the resort's environmental impact.
• Promote environmentally responsible engineering practices aligned with the sustainability philosophy of Our Habitas.
• Recommend technical improvements that contribute to both operational efficiency and sustainability.

Financial & Inventory Management

• Support the Director of Engineering/Chief Engineer in preparing and managing the department's operating and capital expenditure requirements.
• Monitor engineering expenses and identify opportunities for cost efficiency without compromising safety, asset condition, or guest experience.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels of spare parts, tools, and engineering supplies.
• Assist with sourcing quotations and coordinating with approved suppliers and contractors.
• Monitor contractor performance and ensure services are delivered according to agreed standards.
• Support annual budgeting and capital expenditure planning as required.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of work orders, preventive maintenance, equipment history, inspections, and repairs.
• Prepare engineering reports and operational updates as required.
• Monitor outstanding work orders and ensure appropriate escalation and closure.
• Assist in maintaining equipment manuals, drawings, warranties, contracts, certificates, and other technical documentation.
• Participate in departmental and operational meetings and provide relevant engineering updates.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Building Services Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Previous engineering experience within a hotel, resort, or hospitality environment is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive engineering/maintenance experience, including supervisory or team leadership exposure.
• Luxury hotel or resort experience is an advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration, water systems, pumps, generators, and general building maintenance.
• Good understanding of preventive maintenance systems and asset management.
• Knowledge of fire and life safety systems, occupational health and safety requirements, and safe working practices.
• Experience working with contractors, suppliers, inventories, and engineering documentation.
• Previous experience in a remote resort environment is an advantage.

Additional Information

What's in it for you...

• The opportunity to join an innovative, fast-growing, international group that’s committed to not just building new hotels but building a global brand.
• The chance to challenge the norm and work in an environment that is both creative and rewarding.
• Become part of a team that’s very passionate about creating great hospitality experiences and exploring new locations at every opportunity.
• A competitive package and plenty of opportunity for development.
• Excellent discounts across the entire Ennismore family of brands.

Working at  Our Habitas means being part of a purpose-driven movement. You will help shape stories that go beyond rooms and amenities, creating emotional experiences and connecting people through shared rituals, culture, and a sense of belonging.

If you believe in  luxury that speaks to the soul , and want to build something meaningful in two of Middle East's most extraordinary destinations, we’d love to meet you.