ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

1St Assistant Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Coffman Engineers

Administrative Assistant

Honolulu, HI

$22 - $29/hr

Company Description At Coffman Engineers, we serve as both prime consultant and sub consultant on ... Put your administrative skills to good use in our busy, fun-filled office as the first point-of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All Jobs1St Engineer Jobs1St Assistant Engineer Jobs1St Assistant Engineer Jobs in Hawaii

1St Assistant Engineer information

See Hawaii salary details

$34.3K

$92.2K

$139.7K

How much do 1st assistant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for 1st assistant engineer in Hawaii is $92,212.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $108,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 1st assistant engineer?

A 1st Assistant Engineer, also known as the First Assistant Engineer or First Assistant, is a licensed officer in the engine department on ships. They are responsible for overseeing the daily operation and maintenance of the ship’s engine room, machinery, and technical equipment. The 1st Assistant Engineer assists the Chief Engineer and supervises junior engineers and crew to ensure efficient and safe operations. Their tasks include monitoring engine performance, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

What are the typical responsibilities of a 1st assistant engineer during a voyage, and how do they interact with other crew members?

As a 1st Assistant Engineer, your primary responsibilities during a voyage include supervising engine room operations, maintaining mechanical and electrical systems, and overseeing routine inspections and repairs. You will collaborate closely with the Chief Engineer to ensure the vessel's machinery runs smoothly and safely, and you’ll also direct and mentor junior engineering staff. Effective communication with deck officers and other departments is essential for coordinating maintenance schedules and responding to any technical issues that arise. This role is hands-on and requires adaptability, especially when addressing unexpected problems at sea.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 1st assistant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 1st Assistant Engineer, you need a solid background in marine engineering, mechanical systems, and a valid STCW certification or equivalent maritime license. Familiarity with engine room management systems, auxiliary machinery, and preventive maintenance software is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are critical soft skills for managing engine room teams and responding to emergencies. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient operation of the ship’s machinery and compliance with international maritime regulations.

What is the difference between 1St Assistant Engineer vs 2nd Assistant Engineer?

Aspect1St Assistant Engineer2nd Assistant Engineer
Required CertificationsEngineering degree, relevant licensesEngineering degree, relevant licenses
Work EnvironmentSupervises technical staff, oversees operationsSupports senior engineers, handles routine tasks
Employer & Industry UsageMaritime, manufacturing, power plantsMaritime, manufacturing, power plants
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for responsibilities and career progression

The 1St Assistant Engineer typically holds more responsibilities, supervises technical staff, and oversees operations, whereas the 2nd Assistant Engineer supports senior engineers with routine tasks. Both roles require similar certifications and are common in maritime and industrial industries. The main difference lies in the level of responsibility and leadership within the engineering team.

What are popular job titles related to 1St Assistant Engineer jobs in Hawaii?

For 1St Assistant Engineer jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching 1St Assistant Engineer jobs in Hawaii look for?

The top searched job categories for 1St Assistant Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:

1St Assistant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various 1St Assistant Engineer job openings in Hawaii as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,212 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Senior Merchant Mariner Course Evaluator (Engine)

US Department of Homeland Security

Honolulu, HI • On-site

$106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

This vacancy is for a GS-2101-13, Senior Merchant Mariner Course Evaluator (Engine) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, NMC MARINER COURSE APPROVALS BRANCH in Location Negotiable After Selection, United States.Qualifications:Basic Requirements: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience or substitution of education for experience or combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:
EDUCATION:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, business administration, business or commercial law, commerce, economics, engineering, finance, industrial management, statistics, traffic management, transportation, motor mechanics, or other fields related to the position.

or

Experience

Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of the transportation function(s) of the position to be filled.

AND

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

  • Demonstrating afloat experience by providing knowledge of the specific roles and responsibilities of vessel personnel, shipboard operations, and marine engineering systems
  • Having the ability to draft professional correspondence and prepare technical materials tailored to the maritime industry
  • Having the ability to interpret and apply international and U.S. laws, regulations, and policies.
NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education can not be substituted for experience at this grade level.

This position has a Selective Placement Factor. Applicants must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement to be considered eligible for this position. Failure to meet this factor will result in an automatic rating of ineligible.

To qualify, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Pathway: Hold (or have held) a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) in the grade of First Assistant Engineer (Unlimited) or higher.

  • Military Pathway: Possess equivalent military experience as an Assistant Engineer Officer or Chief Engineer (or higher) AND as a qualified Engineer of the Watch (EOW) on vessels of greater than 4,000 HP.

  • Subject Matter Expert Pathway: Have been employed for two (2) or more years as a civilian Subject Matter Engineer Expert in the Mariner Training and Assessment Division at the National Maritime Center (NMC).

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Student Loan - Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000. Receipt of this incentive will require a three-year service agreement.

Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Homeland Security employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo

About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003

View All U.S. Department of Homeland Security Jobs

Apply