Hotel Engineering Tech Internship- NC State Applicants Only

Description

Hotel Engineering Internship

Position Summary

The Hotel Engineering Apprentice is responsible for learning and supporting the daily engineering operations of the hotel. Through a structured apprenticeship program, the apprentice will gain hands-on experience maintaining hotel facilities, guest rooms, public spaces, and critical building systems that support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted hotel operations.

Working under the guidance of the Director of Engineering, Chief Engineer, or other designated engineering leadership, the apprentice will develop knowledge of hotel-specific maintenance practices, preventive maintenance programs, work order systems, life safety requirements, energy management, and the coordination of engineering activities with other hotel departments.

The Hotel Engineering Apprentice plays an important role in supporting the overall guest experience by helping ensure that guest rooms, public areas, equipment, and building systems are safe, functional, well-maintained, and operating efficiently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Hotel Engineering Operations

• Participate in the daily operations of the hotel's Engineering Department.
• Assist with maintaining guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, and hotel facilities.
• Respond to maintenance requests and work orders in a timely and professional manner.
• Learn and follow hotel engineering standards, procedures, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Assist with daily inspections of hotel facilities and equipment to identify maintenance needs.
• Support the operation and maintenance of building systems essential to hotel operations.
• Maintain accurate records of completed work, inspections, and maintenance activities.
• Assist with maintaining engineering tools, equipment, supplies, workshops, and storage areas.

Guest Room and Public Area Maintenance

• Assist with the inspection, repair, and maintenance of guest rooms to ensure they are safe, functional, and ready for occupancy.
• Respond to guest room maintenance concerns, including issues involving lighting, plumbing, HVAC, doors, locks, furniture, fixtures, and appliances.
• Work closely with Housekeeping and Front Desk teams to address maintenance issues that may affect room availability or the guest experience.
• Assist with maintaining hotel public spaces, including lobbies, meeting areas, restaurants, corridors, and exterior areas.
• Perform repairs and maintenance in a manner that minimizes disruption to guests and hotel operations.

Preventive Maintenance

• Participate in the hotel's preventive maintenance program.
• Assist with scheduled inspections and maintenance of guest rooms, public areas, and building equipment.
• Learn to identify potential equipment failures and maintenance concerns before they affect hotel operations.
• Assist with documenting preventive maintenance activities and completing assigned tasks.
• Help maintain equipment and facilities to support operational reliability and extend the life of hotel assets.

Hotel Building Systems

Under appropriate supervision, the apprentice will gain experience with hotel building systems, which may include:

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Plumbing systems and fixtures.
• Electrical and lighting systems.
• Boilers, water heaters, pumps, and other mechanical equipment.
• Kitchen and food and beverage equipment.
• Laundry equipment.
• Building automation and energy management systems.
• Fire and life safety systems.
• Elevators and other building equipment.
• Pools, spas, and recreational equipment, where applicable.

The apprentice will assist with monitoring, inspecting, and maintaining these systems to support safe and efficient hotel operations.

Guest Service and Interdepartmental Support

• Recognize the role of the Engineering Department in supporting the overall guest experience.
• Respond professionally and courteously when entering guest rooms or interacting with guests.
• Coordinate with Front Desk, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Sales, and other departments regarding maintenance needs and operational priorities.
• Assist with preparing guest rooms and meeting spaces for operational use.
• Communicate maintenance concerns that may impact room availability, events, food service, or other hotel operations.
• Understand and support the hotel's service standards and commitment to guest satisfaction.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Follow all hotel safety policies, engineering procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
• Participate in training related to fire and life safety systems, emergency procedures, and hotel emergency response.
• Report unsafe conditions, equipment failures, and potential hazards promptly.
• Assist with maintaining safe and compliant hotel facilities.
• Follow proper procedures when working with tools, equipment, chemicals, electrical systems, and mechanical equipment.

Learning and Professional Development

• Participate in a structured hotel engineering apprenticeship and training program.
• Complete assigned technical training, coursework, certifications, and on-the-job learning requirements.
• Develop an understanding of hotel engineering operations, including work order management, preventive maintenance, building systems, and operational planning.
• Work alongside experienced hotel engineering professionals and leadership.
• Demonstrate increasing technical knowledge, responsibility, and independence throughout the apprenticeship.
• Maintain required training records and complete assigned evaluations and projects.

Requirements

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Interest in pursuing a career in hotel engineering, hospitality engineering, facilities operations, or building maintenance.
• Technical education or experience in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, or general maintenance is preferred but not required.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to follow established procedures and safety requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, team members, and hotel leadership.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn hotel maintenance and work order systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, climb, and perform physical maintenance activities throughout the hotel.
• Ability to safely use tools, ladders, equipment, and other resources required for engineering operations.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment in accordance with hotel safety policies.
• Ability to work in guest rooms, public spaces, mechanical rooms, kitchens, laundry areas, and other hotel operational environments.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Schedule

This position may require a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional emergency or on-call responsibilities based on the operational needs of the hotel.

Career Development

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the Hotel Engineering Apprentice will have developed foundational knowledge and practical experience in hotel engineering operations, preventive maintenance, guest room maintenance, building systems, and hospitality service. This experience may prepare the apprentice for future positions within hotel engineering, including Engineering Technician, Maintenance Technician, Assistant Chief Engineer, or other hotel operations roles.

Summit Hospitality Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Summit Hospitality Group LTD. and its affiliates provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to an applicant's race, color, sex, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity, or on the basis of age with respect to persons 18 years or older