Vanuatu
MOTIVATED CHIEF ENGINEER & CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LEAD
Ratua Island Resort • Full-time
Join Our Team at Ratua Island Resort
Chief Engineer & Construction Project Lead
Ratua Island Resort | Vanuatu
Ratua Island Resort is seeking an experienced, practical, and highly motivated Chief Engineer & Construction Project Lead to oversee the resort’s engineering operations, maintenance systems, infrastructure development, and construction projects.
Located on a private island in Vanuatu, Ratua Island Resort offers a unique luxury hospitality experience built around sustainability, exceptional guest service, and the natural beauty of the island. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can balance day-to-day operational maintenance with the planning and delivery of major improvement and construction projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all engineering, maintenance, utilities, and infrastructure operations across the resort.
- Ensure the effective operation and maintenance of power generation, solar systems, water supply, wastewater systems, pumps, refrigeration, air-conditioning, plumbing, electrical systems, vehicles, boats, and staff accommodation.
- Develop and implement preventative maintenance programmes, asset registers, maintenance schedules, and engineering SOPs.
- Lead construction, renovation, refurbishment, and capital improvement projects from planning through to completion.
- Prepare project scopes, budgets, work schedules, material requirements, and contractor specifications.
- Supervise contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, and internal maintenance teams to ensure work is completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the required standard.
- Monitor project quality, site safety, environmental compliance, and sustainable construction practices.
- Manage engineering stores, spare parts, tools, equipment, and procurement requirements.
- Provide regular reports to Resort Management on maintenance priorities, project progress, costs, risks, and required capital expenditure.
- Respond promptly to operational breakdowns and emergency maintenance requirements.
- Train, mentor, and supervise the engineering and maintenance team.
- Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements, environmental standards, and relevant Vanuatu regulations.
Skills and Experience Required
- Proven experience as a Chief Engineer, Engineering Manager, Construction Manager, Project Manager, or similar senior technical role within a resort, hotel, remote site, island operation, construction company, or large property.
- Strong practical knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, water systems, generators, solar power, refrigeration, air-conditioning, and building maintenance.
- Demonstrated experience managing construction, renovation, or infrastructure development projects.
- Ability to read plans, prepare scopes of work, manage budgets, and coordinate contractors.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Experience working in remote locations or island environments will be highly regarded.
- A hands-on approach, with the ability to work independently and lead a diverse team.
- Relevant engineering, construction, trade, or project management qualifications are desirable.
- A valid driver’s licence is preferred.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a current CV, cover letter, copies of relevant qualifications, and contact details for at least two professional referees to hr@ratua.com or galo@ratua.com
Please clearly state “ Chief Engineer & Construction Project Lead ” in the subject line of your application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications closed on 20 July 2026
Requirements
- Lead and manage all engineering, maintenance, utilities, and infrastructure operations across the resort.
- Ensure the effective operation and maintenance of power generation, solar systems, water supply, wastewater systems, pumps, refrigeration, air-conditioning, plumbing, electrical systems, vehicles, boats, and staff accommodation.
- Develop and implement preventative maintenance programmes, asset registers, maintenance schedules, and engineering SOPs.
- Lead construction, renovation, refurbishment, and capital improvement projects from planning through to completion.
- Prepare project scopes, budgets, work schedules, material requirements, and contractor specifications.
- Supervise contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, and internal maintenance teams to ensure work is completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the required standard.
- Monitor project quality, site safety, environmental compliance, and sustainable construction practices.
- Manage engineering stores, spare parts, tools, equipment, and procurement requirements.
- Provide regular reports to Resort Management on maintenance priorities, project progress, costs, risks, and required capital expenditure.
- Respond promptly to operational breakdowns and emergency maintenance requirements.
- Train, mentor, and supervise the engineering and maintenance team.
- Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements, environmental standards, and relevant Vanuatu regulations.
- Proven experience as a Chief Engineer, Engineering Manager, Construction Manager, Project Manager, or similar senior technical role within a resort, hotel, remote site, island operation, construction company, or large property.
- Strong practical knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, water systems, generators, solar power, refrigeration, air-conditioning, and building maintenance.
- Demonstrated experience managing construction, renovation, or infrastructure development projects.