Port Engineer

Job Summary

The Port Engineer is responsible for managing the efforts of the vessel engineering teams onboard the company's fleet of 8 vessels. The Port Engineer will collaborate with vessel Captains and Chief Engineers to perform the maintenance and repair work on all vessel systems. This includes scheduling vendors, organizing shipyard planning, and professional interaction with regulatory agencies as needed. The Port Engineer will collaborate with the Director of Engineering to provide oversight of budgetary controls for all engineering department spending throughout the year. The Port Engineer will communicate with the Captain to manage the onboard engineering team.

This is a full-time, year-round exempt position with a salary range of $110,000 - $125,000 depending on the candidates' qualifications. The Port Engineer is not required to be a licensed maritime engineer. The job is based in Seattle, WA or hybrid in Juneau, AK with frequent travel between the two and other destinations for emergency chief engineering relief, ship-check inspections, departmental audits, and skills training. This position reports to the Director of Engineering.

Essential Duties

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical systems, structural condition, equipment, and maintenance needs of assigned vessels.

• Collaborate with vessel Captains and Engineers to develop, manage, and execute preventative maintenance programs, ensuring maintenance is completed on schedule and deficiencies are proactively addressed.

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize vessel maintenance and repair needs, including steel and structural repairs, piping, machinery, mechanical systems, and other vessel equipment.

• Develop short and long-term maintenance plans for assigned vessels, considering vessel condition, operational schedules, regulatory requirements, equipment life cycles, and available budgets.

• Lead the planning and execution of annual shipyard projects, including developing detailed scopes of work, identifying material and labor requirements, estimating costs, and establishing project schedules.

• Manage shipyard contractors and vendors to ensure work is completed according to approved specifications, within budget, on schedule, and to acceptable quality standards.

• Coordinate with naval architects, marine engineers, shipyards, and other technical professionals to develop repair solutions, obtain necessary drawings, and secure regulatory approvals when required.

• Conduct weekly check-ins with vessel Engineers and Vessel Leadership Teams (VLT) to review equipment deficiencies, mechanical concerns, upcoming maintenance, and technical support needs.

• Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support to vessel Engineers, including identifying repair solutions, determining required parts and materials, and coordinating outside assistance when necessary.

• Collaborate with the Director of Engineering to develop annual shipyard budgets, monitor departmental spending, track project costs, and identify opportunities for cost-effective maintenance solutions.

• Participate in all required U.S. Coast Guard inspections, dry-dock examinations, and regulatory surveys, coordinating with regulatory agencies to ensure vessel repairs, alterations, and modifications meet applicable requirements.

• Conduct periodic vessel inspections and audits to evaluate vessel condition, maintenance practices, regulatory compliance, and adherence to company policies.

• Monitor and manage vessel Non-Conformity Reports and Equipment Deficiencies within the company's compliance system (HELM), ensuring corrective actions are identified and completed.

• Provide technical support to the Purchasing Department and oversee engineering-related vessel and warehouse inventory to ensure appropriate parts, materials, equipment, and critical spares are available.

• Support the recruitment, placement, scheduling, training and coaching of vessel Engineers.

• Conduct periodic vessel audits to ensure the vessel crew is following regulations and company policies.

• Maintain familiarity with all duties under the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response Activities.

Qualifications

• Preferred candidates will have verifiable experience as a port engineer managing operations like ours.

• 10 years' experience as Chief Engineer or management of ship construction and repairs may be substituted for some required port engineer experience.

• Full comprehension of marine systems such as: diesel engines, AC generators, fuel centrifuge, air compressors, centrifugal pumps, piston pumps, fans and blowers, hydraulic systems, Reverse Osmosis water makers, piping systems, HVAC equipment, marine electronics and navigation equipment, batteries and chargers, inverters, other marine equipment as applicable.

• Proficient user of computer systems. Knowledge of Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, Adobe Acrobat, Outlook. Some form of AutoCAD knowledge would be helpful.

• Professional demeanor, ability to use appropriate levels of tact and courtesy when communicating with individuals across wide cultural backgrounds is required.

• Strong management skills, able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities and meet deadlines. The ability to direct others to perform at a high level is required.

• Strongly developed crisis management skills and the ability to work well under pressure are required.

Communication Skills:

The Port Engineer must have the ability to professionally present information and respond to questions when interacting with vendors, regulatory personnel, and passengers.  This individual must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and/or governmental regulations. Written reports are required for every shipyard and dry dock project.

Soft Skills:

• Critical thinking

• Technical writing

• Assessment of People: Strengths and Weakness

• Negotiation of Contracts and Warranties

• Ability to mentor others

Licenses, Certificates, Registrations:

• Passport required or in process

• TWIC card required or in process

• US Merchant Mariner License-Chief Engineer preferred, not required

• STCW Basic Safety Training preferred, not required

• STCW Crowd Management preferred, not required

• Fire Fighting Certification preferred, not required

Physical Demands

Position will be physically demanding at times. Bending, climbing, repetitive motion, and heavy lifting are requirements of this position. Additionally, must be able to work in a standard office environment with sitting, typing, and writing for 8 to 10 hours per day. The Port Engineer must be comfortable traveling by commercial jet, Alaskan bush plane, passenger train, passenger van, taxi, small inflatable open boat, water taxi, etc. as dictated by local conditions to get to the vessel in any possible location.

Employee Benefits

• Cruise Benefit – Explore the world as our guests do: employees receive one complimentary cruise for two people every year, after each year of employment.
• Health and Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and flexible spending account options.
• 401k – Employees are eligible after 6 months of employment with an employer match.
• Time off – Enjoy ten company-paid holidays annually. Earn paid vacation and sick time throughout the year, and qualify for more vacation days as you gain tenure.
• Give Back to the Community – Make a difference by volunteering for non-profit and community organizations that you choose using two company-paid volunteer days each year.
• Eco-Commute – When you commute to work without the use of a single-occupancy motorized vehicle you will receive a daily stipend. You can carpool, walk, bike, take the bus, or kayak.
• Free Parking – Park for free at our Seattle office on days you commute by car.

Work Schedule

The Port Engineer typically works an 8-hour day when in the office. When sailing onboard the vessels hours worked will be dictated by the needs of the tasks. The job requires the ability to field after-hours and weekend phone calls from the fleet as well as 24-hour on-call availability (when vessels are sailing) for all breakdowns and contingencies.