Director of Engineering - Custer State Park Resort

Xanterra

Custer, SD

Estimated pay: Est. $33–$48/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

Overview:

**Live. Work. Explore. as a part of our team at Custer State Park Resort!**

Custer State Park Resort is located in one of South Dakota's most iconic destinations in the heart of the Black Hills. Spanning nearly 71,000 acres, the park is home to nearly 1,400 bison, breathtaking granite formations, scenic drives, abundant wildlife and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

We’re hiring a Director of Engineering to Live. Work. Explore. in Custer State Park!

**Job Summary:**

The Director of Engineering provides strategic and hands-on leadership for engineering, maintenance, utilities, facilities, fleet, asset management, and capital improvement functions across Custer State Park Resorts. The resort operation includes multiple lodges, cabins, restaurants, commercial kitchens, retail outlets, recreational facilities, employee housing, roads, parking areas, utility systems, and guest-service facilities located throughout Custer State Park in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

This role is responsible for preserving historic assets, improving guest and employee experiences, supporting seasonal and year-round operations, and ensuring safe, sustainable, reliable infrastructure. The Director develops long-term maintenance and capital strategies, leads engineering and maintenance personnel, oversees complex technical systems and construction projects, and partners with resort leadership, South Dakota State representatives, Xanterra corporate resources, contractors, vendors, and professional service providers.

The successful candidate will combine strong facilities and project-management expertise with practical field leadership. The Director must be willing to work alongside the team, respond to operational needs, and provide clear technical direction while maintaining accountability for safety, regulatory compliance, financial performance, environmental stewardship, and exceptional guest service.

**The Details:**

Position Type: Full-time

**Life in Custer State Park**

• Retail, Lodging and Travel Discounts
• Planned employee trips and activities
• $350 Referral Bonus Program

Responsibilities:

**Strategic Leadership & Operational Partnership**

• Develop and execute a comprehensive engineering, maintenance, and asset-management strategy that supports property operations, guest service, safety, sustainability, and long-term business objectives.
• Lead engineering and maintenance functions across a geographically dispersed, multi-property resort environment with seasonal operating demands and a diverse portfolio of facilities and infrastructure.
• Build a high-performing organization focused on reliability, responsiveness, craftsmanship, accountability, operational excellence, and Legendary Hospitality.
• Partner with Operations, Lodging, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Retail, Recreation, Finance, Human Resources, Risk and Sustainability, and other property leaders to prioritize work and support business needs.
• Collaborate with South Dakota State Park leadership and applicable agencies regarding facilities, infrastructure, inspections, projects, environmental requirements, and operational priorities.
• Use Xanterra Corporate Maintenance, Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, Legal, Risk, Sustainability, and other support resources to supplement property expertise and execute complex initiatives.
• Maintain productive professional relationships with engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, utilities, regulatory officials, and other external partners.

**Facilities, Utilities & Infrastructure Management**

• Oversee the maintenance and reliable operation of lodges, cabins, restaurants, commercial kitchens, retail and recreational facilities, employee housing, administrative buildings, warehouses, shops, and guest-service facilities.
• Provide leadership and technical oversight for water and wastewater systems, HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, mechanical systems, building automation, refrigeration, fire protection, life-safety systems, and related utilities.
• Oversee roads, parking areas, fleet and transportation assets, grounds-related infrastructure, and other support systems assigned to the Engineering Department.
• Conduct and coordinate facility-condition assessments, document deficiencies, establish priorities, and develop corrective action and replacement strategies.
• Develop annual, three-year, and rolling five-year maintenance, infrastructure, and capital-replacement plans based on asset conditions, operational risk, regulatory needs, guest impact, and financial return.
• Evaluate infrastructure readiness for seasonal openings, closings, shoulder-season activity, emergency operations, and expanded year-round use.
• Coordinate facility opening, winterization, shutdown, recommissioning, and operational-readiness activities across assigned locations.
• Provide technical assistance and hands-on support to location maintenance teams when troubleshooting, inspections