Function:The Corporate Engineer leads engineering planning, capital execution, and asset integrity across a significant portion of RLJ’s hotel portfolio (35+ properties). Sitting within Design & Construction, this role partners with Asset Management and property teams to drive consistent engineering performance, execute complex projects, and protect long-term asset value.This is a senior, hands-on role for a seasoned operator who is comfortable working across a multi-property platform.Responsibilities:Portfolio EngineeringSupport and guide third-party management, property-level, Regional, and Chief Engineers Ensure consistent engineering standards and operating practices are being implemented by third-party management teamsConduct property inspections, audits, and condition assessments Provide expertise on complex building systems Capital ProjectsOversee MEP, infrastructure, and disaster remediation projects from planning through execution Lead RFPs, budgeting, bid-leveling, contract negotiation, and project delivery Ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and aligned with asset strategy Maintenance & Asset PerformanceStrengthen preventive and predictive maintenance programs Improve asset reliability and reduce reactive repairs Standardize vendor performance and service delivery Energy & SystemsIdentify opportunities to reduce utility costs and improve efficiency Leverage building automation systems and CMMS tools Support sustainability initiatives Life Safety & ComplianceEnsure compliance with codes, regulations, and brand standards Oversee fire/life-safety systems and risk mitigation Support audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews Financial & Investment SupportMonitor R&M and CapEx spend Support capital planning and multi-year forecasting Participate in acquisition and disposition due diligence, including site assessments and capital review Team LeadershipCollaborate with peer Corporate Engineers to implement best practices across portfolio and leverage buying powerUtilize Assistant Project Management resources to improve project execution efficiencyLead third-party vendors and hold them accountable for resultsRequirementsSkills and RequirementsStrong technical expertise across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systemsProven ability to manage complex projects across multiple assets and disciplines Financial acumen across CapEx, R&M, and ROI analysisExperience managing vendors, contracts, and construction processesStrong problem-solving, organization, and communication skillsProficiency with MS Office; experience with project management and CMMS tools preferredFamiliarity with Trimble and Yardi or similar systems a plusAbility to travel 50–60%Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Facilities, or related field preferredRelevant certifications (e.g., PE, CFM) a plus10+ years of experience in hotel engineering or facilities leadershipMulti-property or portfolio-level experience requiredExperience leading complex capital projects in an operating environmentStrong background in life-safety and regulatory complianceREIT, ownership, or asset management experience preferredWork Environment:Position is based in Bethesda, MD or Northeast Region Regular travel to portfolio propertiesOn-site in the office four days a week, with one designated remote workday. Compensation:Base Salary Range: $165,000 – $185,000Annual Performance BonusEligible for equity participation, subject to plan termsActual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and geographic location. RLJ Lodging Trust is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. EOEBenefitsHealth Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)Retirement Plan (401k, Roth)Life Insurance Short Term & Long Term DisabilityPaid Time OffPaid HolidaysTransportation BenefitsTraining & DevelopmentFree Food & SnacksDiscounted Health Club MembershipFranchisor Hotel Discounts
Function:
The Corporate Engineer leads engineering planning, capital execution, and asset integrity across a significant portion of RLJ’s hotel portfolio (35+ properties). Sitting within Design & Construction, this role partners with Asset Management and property teams to drive consistent engineering performance, execute complex projects, and protect long-term asset value.
This is a senior, hands-on role for a seasoned operator who is comfortable working across a multi-property platform.
Responsibilities:
Portfolio Engineering
- Support and guide third-party management, property-level, Regional, and Chief Engineers
- Ensure consistent engineering standards and operating practices are being implemented by third-party management teams
- Conduct property inspections, audits, and condition assessments
- Provide expertise on complex building systems
Capital Projects
- Oversee MEP, infrastructure, and disaster remediation projects from planning through execution
- Lead RFPs, budgeting, bid-leveling, contract negotiation, and project delivery
- Ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and aligned with asset strategy
Maintenance & Asset Performance
- Strengthen preventive and predictive maintenance programs
- Improve asset reliability and reduce reactive repairs
- Standardize vendor performance and service delivery
Energy & Systems
- Identify opportunities to reduce utility costs and improve efficiency
- Leverage building automation systems and CMMS tools
- Support sustainability initiatives
Life Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with codes, regulations, and brand standards
- Oversee fire/life-safety systems and risk mitigation
- Support audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews
Financial & Investment Support
- Monitor R&M and CapEx spend
- Support capital planning and multi-year forecasting
- Participate in acquisition and disposition due diligence, including site assessments and capital review
Team Leadership
- Collaborate with peer Corporate Engineers to implement best practices across portfolio and leverage buying power
- Utilize Assistant Project Management resources to improve project execution efficiency
- Lead third-party vendors and hold them accountable for results
Requirements
Skills and Requirements
- Strong technical expertise across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systems
- Proven ability to manage complex projects across multiple assets and disciplines
- Financial acumen across CapEx, R&M, and ROI analysis
- Experience managing vendors, contracts, and construction processes
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and communication skills
- Proficiency with MS Office; experience with project management and CMMS tools preferred
- Familiarity with Trimble and Yardi or similar systems a plus
- Ability to travel 50–60%
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Facilities, or related field preferred
- Relevant certifications (e.g., PE, CFM) a plus
- 10+ years of experience in hotel engineering or facilities leadership
- Multi-property or portfolio-level experience required
- Experience leading complex capital projects in an operating environment
- Strong background in life-safety and regulatory compliance
- REIT, ownership, or asset management experience preferred
Work Environment:
- Position is based in Bethesda, MD or Northeast Region
- Regular travel to portfolio properties
- On-site in the office four days a week, with one designated remote workday.
Compensation:
- Base Salary Range: $165,000 – $185,000
- Annual Performance Bonus
- Eligible for equity participation, subject to plan terms
Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
RLJ Lodging Trust is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
EOE
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, Roth)
- Life Insurance
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays
- Transportation Benefits
- Training & Development
- Free Food & Snacks
- Discounted Health Club Membership
- Franchisor Hotel Discounts
RLJ Lodging Trust (“RLJ”) is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service, and compact full-service hotels located within heart-of-demand locations. Our hotels are geographically diverse and concentrated in major urban markets that provide multiple demand generators from business, leisure, and other travelers.
RLJ Lodging Trust (“RLJ”) is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service, and compact full-service hotels located within heart-of-demand locations. Our hotels are geographically diverse and concentrated in major urban markets that provide multiple demand generators from business, leisure, and other travelers.
