Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
EDUCATION
Timeline
Generic

Rene Zelaya-Caballero

Miramar,Fl

Summary

Results-driven Chief Engineer with over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including 9 years in hotel engineering and 6 years in multi-unit restaurant operations. Proven track record of managing facility maintenance, construction projects, and technical teams across high-traffic, service-driven environments. Skilled in overseeing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen systems. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, managing preventive and corrective maintenance programs, ensuring regulatory compliance. Experienced in opening new locations, coordinating restaurant fit-outs, and maintaining asset integrity across multiple sites. Recognized for operational efficiency, hands-on leadership, and commitment to ethic,safety and quality.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Engineer

Pubbelly Sushi and King Goose hospitality
08.2019 - Current
  • Upkeep of kitchen and facility equipment, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, and overall infrastructure. driving operational efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing cost-saving and energy-saving strategies across all locations. Hands-on technical skills, multi-site coordination, and team leadership. Coordinated and managed construction and fit-out activities for the opening of three restaurants, including painting, lighting installation, bar construction, furniture setup, and kitchen equipment installation—ensuring on-time delivery within budget
  • Direct the ongoing technical and mechanical upkeep of the restaurants at all six locations.
  • Coordination of maintenance and kitchen equipment transportation and supervision at important events including: F1 (for over 2 years), concerts, and other special events
  • Schedule and prioritize maintenance work, inspections, and emergency repairs through Monday platform.
  • Perform regular site visits to assess maintenance needs and verify task completion.
  • Ensure proper operation and maintenance of all commercial kitchen equipment: Ovens, fryers, grills, refrigeration units, dishwashers, hoods, grease traps, and walk-in coolers. Work with contractors and different professionals when required.
  • Coordinate preventive maintenance programs to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned downtime.
  • Oversee repairs or replacements with minimal disruption to service.
  • Monitor and analyze utility usage (gas, water, electricity) across all restaurants.
  • Implement energy-saving technologies (e.g., LED lighting, smart thermostats, low-flow fixtures).
  • Negotiate with vendors for competitive pricing on parts, services, and equipment.
  • Create and manage the engineering/maintenance budget for all locations.
  • Lead a team of maintenance technicians and supervision of external contractors/vendors.
  • Train team members in restaurant equipment troubleshooting and safety procedures.
  • Schedule routine inspections and oversee third-party service providers.
  • Ensure consistent standards and performance across all restaurant sites.
  • Maintain up-to-date records for inspections, permits, equipment logs, and safety compliance.
  • Ensure adherence to health codes, fire codes, OSHA regulations, and local building requirements.
  • Support environmental and sustainability initiatives in line with company goals.
  • Foster a positive, accountable, and productive work environment.
  • Recognize high-performing shift engineers.
  • Address conflicts or issues within the team quickly and fairly.
  • Ensure fair shift rotation, including night, weekend, and holiday coverage.
  • Assign daily tasks based on operational priorities, such as:
  • Reactive maintenance (e.g., broken refrigeration units, lighting issues)
  • Preventive maintenance (scheduled inspections, filter changes, etc.)
  • Emergency calls (e.g., gas leaks, plumbing blockages)
  • Responsible of 7 restaurants and 1 building

chief Engineering

LIFE HOTEL
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Troubleshoot, repair and or maintain the following: guest room fan coil units, filters and plumbing/drains. Performs all assigned work requests on all electrical and mechanical equipment
  • Adheres to all work rules, procedures and policies established by the company.
  • Emergency response
  • Shift Team supervisor
  • Assign and monitor work orders to ensure timely resolution.
  • Conduct routine inspections of hotel systems and areas
  • Preventive and corrective maintenance
  • Performs all assigned preventative maintenance work
  • Makes structure repairs to masonry, woodwork and furnishings, patch or replace plaster/plaster board, paint walls, ceilings, and trim
  • Fill out daily work form
  • 98 Rooms

Hotel chief Engineer

Cosmopolitan Hotel (now Frederick Hotel)
2011 - 01.2018
  • Oversee the maintenance, repair, and performance of a building's mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems, ensuring efficiency and safety.
  • Lead and supervise a team of technicians, mechanics, electricians, and plumbers.
  • Performed repairs and maintenance tasks to ensure comfort and safety of guests.
  • Assign daily tasks, conduct training, and monitor performance.
  • Ensure proper staffing and shift coverage.
  • Responsible for managing and supervising renovation of the entire building including all rooms, main lobby, public areas and restaurants.
  • Ability to inspire and guide diverse technical teams.
  • Knowledge of electronic door locks (Ving Card).
  • Repaired and replaced wallpapers, carpets, doors, tiles, drywall, electric wires and plumber
  • Inspect and repair various energy systems, such as the heating and cooling systems, plumbing, lighting, and kitchen equipment.
  • Manage technical risks and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Supervised and participated with various electrical projects including wiring and the installation of cameras, tv and electric outlets
  • Reporting missing articles, damage or mechanical problems
  • Maintained boiler operations and plumbing systems, as well as electrical and sprinkler systems
  • Inspected and repaired heating, ventilation and air conditioning units
  • Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are executed
  • Follows company policies and procedures
  • 130 Rooms


Part Time engineer

Whitehall Apartment Corporation
01.2013 - 01.2016
  • Maintain maintenance logs and reports.
  • Maintain and repair commercial washers, dryers, boilers, dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, and other kitchen equipment (whenever was possible).
  • Install and manage energy-efficient systems (LED lighting, motion sensors, low-flow plumbing).
  • Coordinate with kitchen and housekeeping managers to ensure minimum downtime.
  • Conduct routine inspections of guest rooms for functionality (lighting, AC, plumbing, TV, etc.).
  • Coordinate repairs to cracks, leaks, weather damage, or wear and tear.
  • Handle repairs to leaks, clogs, water heaters, pumps, and fixtures.
  • Ensure water pressure and quality meet operational standards.
  • Conduct morning walkthroughs of key areas.
  • Review and assign maintenance work orders.
  • 3 years
  • 2nd job

Education

Bachelors’ degree - graphic design

Diploma - Electrical, Mechanical, HVAC

Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Reliable worker with ethic and honesty
  • Technical expertise
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Project management: renovations, construction coordination
  • Cost efficiency
  • Microsoft office package knowledge with emphasis in excel
  • Provide back-up response in emergencies
  • Compliance and safety
  • Vendor and contractor manager
  • Multi-site oversight
  • Reporting and documentation
  • In strict accordance, ability to perform all applicable safety policies, procedures, and practices
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills

EDUCATION

English
Spanish

Timeline

Chief Engineer

Pubbelly Sushi and King Goose hospitality
08.2019 - Current

chief Engineering

LIFE HOTEL
01.2017 - 01.2019

Part Time engineer

Whitehall Apartment Corporation
01.2013 - 01.2016

Diploma - Electrical, Mechanical, HVAC

Hotel chief Engineer

Cosmopolitan Hotel (now Frederick Hotel)
2011 - 01.2018

Bachelors’ degree - graphic design

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