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Contract Port Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MARINE SURVEYOR

Norfolk, VA ยท On-site +1

$75K - $98K/yr

All vacancies are located in the Assistant Port Engineer Branch (N757) in Norfolk, VA. Learn more ... maintenance contract awards. * You will ensure that assigned ships are in full compliance with ...

Senior Construction Project Manager

Seabrook, TX ยท On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

Perform project and construction management and contract administration activities on small to ... Engineers of Record (EOR) and contractors * Assist Port Houston Procurement department with ...

Senior Construction Project Manager

Seabrook, TX ยท On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

Perform project and construction management and contract administration activities on small to ... Engineers of Record (EOR) and contractors * Assist Port Houston Procurement department with ...

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Norfolk, VA ยท On-site +1

$75K - $118K/yr

You will serve as a principal port engineer for assigned ocean-going vessels, including those ... You will plan for and manage the development of contract guidance plans and specifications. * You ...

Buyer

Jacksonville, FL ยท On-site

... Port Engineer. * Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates and places orders with suppliers. Award * Complies with all purchasing requirements of Contract. * Responsible for obtaining and ...

... Port Engineer. * Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates and places orders with suppliers. Award * Complies with all purchasing requirements of Contract. * Responsible for obtaining and ...

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Contract Port Engineer information

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$30

$48

$99

How much do contract port engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract port engineer in the United States is $48.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.11 and $50.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Port Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectContract Port EngineerMarine Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in port operations or project managementMarine engineering degree, maritime certifications, STCW certifications
Work EnvironmentPorts, terminals, project sites, often onshoreShips, vessels, offshore platforms, onboard or dockside
Employer & IndustryPort authorities, shipping companies, logistics firmsShipping lines, maritime companies, offshore operators
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Contract Port Engineer primarily oversees port operations, infrastructure projects, and port facilities, working mainly onshore within port environments. In contrast, a Marine Engineer focuses on the maintenance, repair, and operation of ship machinery and onboard systems, working at sea or on ships. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to maritime and port industries, but they differ significantly in work environment and daily responsibilities.

What are some typical challenges a Contract Port Engineer might face when managing vessel repairs and maintenance?

As a Contract Port Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as coordinating repair schedules within tight port calls, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing communication between ship crew, vendors, and port authorities. Balancing cost efficiency with the need for timely and thorough repairs is also common, especially when unexpected technical issues arise. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills are essential to navigate these complexities and ensure vessels remain seaworthy and operational.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Port Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Port Engineer, you need a solid background in marine engineering, vessel maintenance, and regulatory compliance, typically backed by a degree in marine engineering or a related field and relevant certifications. Familiarity with ship management software, maintenance planning tools, and classification society requirements is highly valued. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient operation and maintenance of vessels while meeting regulatory standards and client expectations.

What are Contract Port Engineers?

Contract Port Engineers are maritime professionals hired on a contract basis to oversee and manage the maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of vessels while they are in port. They act as technical advisors, coordinating with ship crews, shipyards, and suppliers to ensure work is completed efficiently and according to safety and regulatory standards. Their responsibilities often include inspecting vessels, managing budgets, ensuring compliance with maritime regulations, and solving technical issues that arise during port stays. Contract Port Engineers typically work for shipping companies, offshore operators, or as independent consultants.
More about Contract Port Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Port Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Port Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Port Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Port Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Port Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Port Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Port Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,781 per year, or $48.9 per hour.
MARINE SURVEYOR

MARINE SURVEYOR

Military Sealift Command

Norfolk, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$75K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Military Sealift Command rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
All vacancies are located in the Assistant Port Engineer Branch (N757) in Norfolk, VA.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will manage the ships life cycle plan by planning, directing and coordinating the maintenance and repair activities requiring industrial assistance for assigned ships.
  • You will develop and review plans, work items and cost estimates for maintenance and repair and ship alteration work for assigned ships.
  • You will monitor contractor performance, identify deficiencies and initiate actions to correct any maintenance and operational deficiencies and rectify contractor performance.
  • You will regularly conduct ship checks to verify the work item technical requirements.
  • You will regularly work with the ship's force to troubleshoot systems and technically analyze causes of casualties.
  • You will support field inspections of shipyards to determine maintenance capabilities in advance of ship maintenance contract awards.
  • You will ensure that assigned ships are in full compliance with requirements of cognizant regulatory bodies, and the ships conform to required standards.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
  • This is a Mission Essential position. You will be required to ensure organization or facility continuity of operations and/or completion of tasks that are considered essential to the mission designated by a local or command decision.
  • Overtime may be required.
  • Shipyard and shipboard work is a requirement of the position where the incumbent may be required to climb, crawl, and bend to accomplish shipboard inspections.

Qualifications
Basic Requirements
This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving surveying Government-owned and/or operated vessels, or privately-owned and operated merchant vessels, to determine their condition and the extent of work necessary for the vessels and their components to meet specified requirements. The work requires applying a practical knowledge of:
  • preparing specifications, including estimates of labor and material costs, to cover work determined to be necessary as a result of surveys; and
  • inspecting and accepting the work accomplished to place the vessel in the condition specified.

Experience Requirements
Specialized Experience (for all positions): per OPM
Applicants must have had 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience is responsible work in the maintenance and repair of ocean-going vessels that demonstrated the ability to survey and inspect such vessels for the purposes of classification, appraisal, determination of general conditions and fitness for operation, and determination of the extent of damage sustained and type and cost of repairs and reconditioning required. This experience may have been gained in marine surveying or other work such as:
  • Seagoing experience as a U.S. Coast Guard licensed marine engineer in the merchant marine.
    • For GS-11 (or equivalent), applicants must have sailed under a 2nd Assistant license for at least 1 year.
    • For GS-12 (or equivalent), applicants must have sailed under a 1st Assistant license for at least 1 year.
  • Experience in a ship repair yard or in the engineering department of a steamship company serving in positions such as marine superintendent or port engineer.

Specialized Experience (for all positions): per Agency
GS-12:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience interpreting commercial regulatory bodies such as the American Bureau of Shipping, United States Coast Guard, American Petroleum Institute, America Society of Testing Materials, and MARPOL requirements and their standards, policies and procedures as they apply to the operation and maintenance of a combined commercial and military fleet of ships.
  • Experience supporting the alteration, improvement, maintenance and repair of assigned ship classes.
  • Experience supporting the liaison process between sponsors, design agents, shipyards, and contractors on maintenance, repair, funding and scheduling for matters impacting assigned ship classes.
  • Experience conducting ship checks to verify the work item technical requirements and regularly work with the ships force to troubleshoot systems and technically analyze the cause of casualties.

GS-11:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience utilizing a wide range of shipboard main and auxiliary systems.
  • Experience utilizing vessel operations and maintenance both in a commercial and military environment.
  • Experience reviewing plans, specifications, preliminary technical reports, design drawings, specifications for ship maintenance and repairs, and alterations.
  • Experience communicating on equipment and system life cycle issues.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/marine-survey-technical-series-0873/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.
Education
There is no educational substitution for a GS-0873-12.
There is no educational substitution for a GS-0873-11.
Additional information
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Several vacancies may be filled.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.
Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.