Job Title: Chief Engineer

Company: Mama Shelter

Location: MAMA SHELTER CAPE TOWN, Cape Town, South Africa

Job Type: Permanent

Company Description

MAMA?

Founded in 2008 by Serge Trigano and his sons Jérémie and Benjamin (co-founders of Club Med), Mama Shelter is a creator of living spaces and a daily director!

These are atypical places, where everyone feels at home, places born of a blend of influences, freedoms, sensations and emotions. Each Mama tells the story of the city in which it is located, and all influences blend together. We offer our guests a joyful atmosphere and exceptional service at an affordable price.

More than just rooms and restaurants, Mama Shelter is a dynamic, a vibe: they are true urban refuges, not only aesthetically pleasing and modern but also popular, welcoming and sexy.

Whatever your role, we're all here to make the customer experience as unforgettable as possible.

Our mission: to bring little moments of happiness to people.

Our growth has enabled us to offer our teams great career paths through internal development and international mobility, and it's not a question of diplomas or years of experience.

Mama Shelter is part of Ennismore, a creative hotel group rooted in cultures and destinations, with a global portfolio of brands. Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, founded in 2021.

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Our commitment to diversity and inclusion:

Mama is an inclusive company, and our ambition is to recruit and promote diverse talent.


Job Description

🌟 THE MISSION

You are Mama’s Master of Mechanics 🔧⚙️ — behind-the-scenes superhero 🦸‍♂️🔧 — the one who keeps everything running smoothly while the party never stops. 🎉

As our Chief Engineer, you keep Mama alive and running at full power. From air conditioning ❄️ to lighting 💡, sustainability 🌱 to safety 🛡️, you ensure every space works perfectly so guests and teams can focus on enjoying the Mama experience. Nothing escapes your eye. You anticipate issues before they happen, lead your team with confidence, and make sure the building runs as flawlessly as the vibe feels. 🎶✨

Here’s what you’ll be responsible for:

Guardian of the Building 🏨🔧
Oversee the maintenance and operation of all hotel facilities, ensuring safety, comfort, and operational excellence at all times.

Preventive Maintenance Champion 🛠️
Implement and manage preventive maintenance programs to keep equipment performing efficiently and reliably.

Safety & Compliance Protector 🛡️
Ensure full compliance with health, safety, fire, and regulatory standards while maintaining a secure environment for guests and teams.

Energy Efficiency Leader 🌱⚡
Drive sustainability initiatives and monitor energy consumption to optimize efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Technical Problem Solver 🔍
Quickly diagnose and resolve technical issues, minimizing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly.

Team Leader & Mentor 👷‍♂️🤝
Lead, train, and inspire the engineering team, fostering accountability, skill development, and teamwork.

Project & Renovation Driver 🏗️
Manage technical projects, upgrades, and refurbishments from planning through execution with minimal disruption to operations.

Vendor & Contractor Coordinator 🤝🔩
Work closely with external suppliers and contractors to ensure quality work, compliance, and cost control.

Budget Controller 📊
Manage engineering budgets, monitor expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.

Operational Partner 🎯
Collaborate closely with Rooms, F&B, and Operations teams to ensure seamless day-to-day hotel performance.


Qualifications

MADE FOR YOU… ONLY IF ✨

You bring 5+ years of engineering leadership experience in hospitality or large facilities 🏨
You have strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systems ⚙️
You understand local safety regulations and compliance standards 🛡️
You are hands-on and love being present on the floor — not behind a desk 🔧
You stay calm under pressure and solve problems with confidence 🧩
You lead teams with natural authority and a supportive mindset 🤝
You are organized, proactive, and detail-oriented 👀
You balance operational priorities while planning long-term improvements 📈
You believe preventive maintenance is better than emergency repairs ⚡
You communicate clearly across departments and with leadership 💬
YOUR LITTLE EXTRAS 🎯

Pre-opening experience is a bonus—ready to help launch something extraordinary🏗️🏨
Experience with BMS systems and hotel maintenance software 💻
Strong sustainability awareness and energy optimization knowledge 🌱
International or lifestyle hospitality experience ✈️🌍
A practical mindset combined with Mama’s positive, can-do energy 🎉💖

Additional Information

Next, we're sure you know the tune 🎶:

First melody: “At Mama, no AI! We review your application in person and take the time to understand your background. 🎧
First verse: We organise an initial telephone interview with our People & Culture Team to see if your application fits in with our rhythm. 🤳
Chorus: Once you've passed the phone interview, we'll arrange a remote meeting 💻 or a meeting at Mama 🤝 to meet the Gang!
Last verse: Naturally, you'll receive a response from us within two to three weeks at the latest, whether it's a ✔️ or a ✖️.

Posted: 16/02/2026