Who We Are
At Q Center, we create exceptional experiences through hospitality, teamwork, and service excellence. As a full-service conference and event destination, our success is built on the people who create welcoming environments and memorable guest experiences every day.
Our Engineering team plays an essential role in maintaining the facilities, equipment, and building systems that keep Q Center operating safely, efficiently, and reliably.
If you are an experienced maintenance professional who enjoys solving complex technical problems, maintaining critical building systems, and supporting a high-performing hospitality operation, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at Q Center.
What’s the Role
As the Maintenance Engineer III, you will help maintain Q Center’s facilities, equipment, and building systems in optimal operating condition while minimizing inconvenience to guests and associates. You will provide advanced technical expertise in troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, and other facility systems.
You will also support preventative maintenance programs, assist with technical training, and help ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the property. Working throughout the facility, you will respond to maintenance needs, complete assigned work orders, and communicate equipment or facility concerns to Engineering management.
What You’ll Do to Be Successful
Guest Service & Hospitality
- Respond promptly, professionally, and courteously to guest and associate maintenance requests, minimizing disruptions to the guest experience and daily operations
- Listen to, understand, and clarify concerns raised by guests and associates, escalating issues to management when appropriate
- Demonstrate initiative by anticipating guest and operational needs and proactively addressing maintenance concerns
- Communicate maintenance concerns, service delays, and repair status to the appropriate supervisor or department
- Exercise discretion and professionalism when working in occupied guestrooms and public spaces
Maintenance Operations
- Perform advanced maintenance, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and repairs on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, boiler, and other building systems
- Operate, monitor, and maintain boilers, chillers, cooling towers, air handlers, pumps, generators, hot water heaters, heat exchangers, and related mechanical equipment
- Interpret equipment gauges, operating data, pressures, temperatures, and flow readings to evaluate system performance and make appropriate adjustments
- Maintain and repair HVAC systems, including motors, belts, coils, filters, pumps, valves, closed-loop piping, fan coil units, VAV boxes, air handlers, and related distribution systems
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of HVAC distribution systems, including 2- and 4-pipe configurations, pump and valve operation, and building temperature and humidity controls
- Respond to and resolve Building Automation System (BAS) alarms, perform system adjustments, and coordinate seasonal transitions between heating and cooling systems
- Perform boiler maintenance, including cleaning, burner testing, seasonal startups, operating adjustments, and coordination of required Illinois state boiler inspections
- Maintain water-treatment systems, including water softeners, cooling towers, boilers, and chillers; perform hardness testing, chemical adjustments, and required equipment readings
- Perform electrical troubleshooting and repairs involving electrical distribution equipment, panels, switches, receptacles, fixtures, ballasts, disconnects, and conduit systems, including equipment operating at voltages up to 480 volts
- Perform plumbing repairs involving domestic water, HVAC, sewer, and drainage systems, including pipe fitting, threading, soldering, cutting, joining, and installation of copper, PVC, galvanized, black, and cast iron piping
- Diagnose and repair commercial kitchen, catering, refrigeration, and food service equipment, including ovens, grills, ranges, steam wells, steam kettles, ice machines, disposals, grease traps, warmers, and walk-in and reach-in coolers and freezers
- Maintain and repair building water and pumping equipment, including sump, sewage, grease, irrigation, and water-feature pumps; domestic hot water systems; booster heaters; water distribution pumps; and associated valves and fixtures
- Maintain and repair facility equipment and components, including emergency electrical transfer switches, generators, compressors, exhaust fans, dampers, variable-frequency drives, pressure regulators, humidifiers, and mechanical windows
- Perform maintenance and repairs on facility support equipment, including custodial equipment, floor scrubbers, vacuums, extractors, scissor lifts, suspended ceiling systems, office workstations, doors, locks, hardware, and closers
- Troubleshoot and repair guest room electronic lock systems and other guest room equipment as required
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of elevator systems and perform only those procedures authorized by the designated elevator service company, including approved shutdown, startup, and car access procedures
- Read and interpret blueprints, wiring diagrams, equipment schematics, and technical documentation to support accurate troubleshooting and repairs
- Maintain accurate preventive maintenance and repair records using TMA/CMMS, including documenting work activity and generating, receiving, and scheduling work orders
- Complete assigned work orders within established time frames and communicate delays or additional repair requirements to Engineering management
- Identify required parts and supplies, submit accurate requests, and assist with inventory maintenance and periodic counts
- Identify recurring equipment and facility issues, recommend improvements, and assist with implementing solutions that improve reliability and operational efficiency
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Safety & Compliance
- Comply with Q Center policies and regulations and perform work in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal codes, including boiler, electrical, and plumbing requirements
- Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices when handling materials, operating equipment, and completing repairs
- Follow safe work practices when working with mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, natural gas, water treatment, lifts, enclosed spaces, and other facility systems and equipment
- Follow Safety Data Sheet requirements for the safe transport, handling, use, and storage of chemicals and water-treatment products
- Safely work with main safety circuits involving electrical, gas, water, pressure, temperature, flame signals, and purges
- Maintain awareness of backup equipment and engage it appropriately when required to support safe and continuous operations
- Support productivity by identifying problem areas and implementing or assisting with effective solutions.
Team Support
- Monitor department functions, make appropriate equipment and building adjustments, and keep the immediate supervisor or Engineering management fully informed of problems requiring attention
- Train or assist in training maintenance associates on commercial kitchen equipment, BAS and mechanical systems, HVAC equipment, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and related maintenance responsibilities
- Participate in departmental meetings, required training, and cross-training opportunities to support operational effectiveness
- Demonstrate initiative by identifying maintenance needs, anticipating repair requirements, and recommending practical solutions
- Balance independent assignments with collaborative work to meet departmental priorities and service expectations
What You Bring
Education & Experience
- High School diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field required.
- At least 8 years of progressive experience in a hotel or related field preferred.
- Trade school and/or College course work in related field preferred.
- Previous supervisory experience preferred.
- EPA Refrigeration Technician Certification.
- Stationary Engineer License from Chicago or Elgin preferred.
- Valid Driver’s License.
Skills & Qualifications
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with associates, leadership, and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
- Ability to listen, understand, and clarify concerns raised by associates and guests.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines and financial objectives.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and resolving problems as necessary.
- Ability to understand and evaluate complex information and data from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
- Demonstrated initiative and ability to anticipate guest and operational needs.
The Details
Reports To: Engineering Manager/Chief Engineer
Status: Non-Exempt
Rate: $33.00/hr
Physical Requirements: Flexible shifts and extended hours sometimes required. Heavy work – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Comfort level with operating and working from a lift up to 60 feet high.
Benefits Include
- Paid time off from day 1
- 401(K) with employer match
- Holiday Pay
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with Wellness Credits 1st of the month following start date
- Employee Assistance Program from day 1
- Basic Life, AD&D 1st of the month following start date
- Disability Benefits 1st of the month following start date
- Employee Meals
- Parking
Our Commitment
At Q Center, every team member contributes to the guest experience. We value professionalism, teamwork, hospitality, and service excellence, and we are committed to creating an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and succeed.
As the Maintenance Engineer III, you will play an important role in maintaining the systems and facilities that support our guests, associates, and daily operations while helping Q Center deliver a safe, comfortable, and reliable experience.
