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Director Ocean Engineer information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director ocean engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for director ocean engineer in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Director Ocean Engineer, you need an advanced degree in ocean engineering or a related field, extensive experience in marine infrastructure projects, and strong leadership abilities. Familiarity with CAD software, oceanographic modeling tools, and project management systems, along with relevant professional certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team leadership skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for overseeing complex projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and effectively managing multidisciplinary teams in challenging marine environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director Ocean Engineer when managing multidisciplinary teams on large-scale marine projects?

A Director Ocean Engineer often leads teams comprising civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineers, which can present challenges in aligning diverse technical perspectives and ensuring cohesive project execution. Effective communication and strong project management skills are crucial to coordinate schedules, manage resources, and address regulatory or environmental concerns. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing oceanographic conditions and integrating emerging technologies can require continuous learning and flexibility. Building a culture of collaboration and fostering professional development within the team helps overcome these challenges and drives project success.

What does a Director Ocean Engineer do?

A Director Ocean Engineer is a senior professional responsible for overseeing engineering projects related to oceans, such as offshore structures, marine renewable energy, underwater robotics, and coastal protection. They lead teams of engineers and scientists, manage budgets, ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and coordinate with stakeholders. Their work is essential for the development, maintenance, and innovation of technologies and infrastructure in marine environments.

What is the difference between Director Ocean Engineer vs Ocean Engineer?

AspectDirector Ocean EngineerOcean Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ocean Engineering, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Ocean Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles overseeing projects, teams, and strategic planningDesign, research, and development in marine environments
Employer & Industry UsageMarine construction firms, government agencies, large engineering firmsResearch institutions, engineering firms, offshore companies

The main difference is that a Director Ocean Engineer holds a leadership position responsible for managing teams and projects, while an Ocean Engineer focuses on technical design, research, and engineering tasks. The Director role involves strategic oversight, whereas the Ocean Engineer is more hands-on with engineering work.

More about Director Ocean Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Ocean Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Director Ocean Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Ocean Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Ocean Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Director Ocean Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Ocean Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Ocean Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Ocean Engineer jobs are:
Director Ocean Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Ocean Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.
Staff Mechanical Engineer

Staff Mechanical Engineer

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Hanover, MD • Hybrid

$128K - $192K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Oceaneering rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

326th of 433 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

The Staff Engineer (ME-IV) has mastery of multiple core engineering principle and advanced knowledge of related engineering fields.  The Staff Engineer independently directs and technically manages engineering and design activities under the guidance of a Project Manager and is responsible for tracking progress and technical adequacy of the design solution. The Staff Engineer interacts with all OTECH departments as necessary to provide engineering support to OTECH manufacturing, integration, and test activities, and provides work leadership for lower-level employees. Experience in maritime and/or subsea engineering, including ROVs, LARs, hydraulics, and heavy lift systems, is highly desired. 

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Equal Opportunity Employer: 
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.
Oceaneering Aerospace and Defense Technologies (AdTech) delivers solutions that enable humans to work safely and effectively in harsh environments - from underwater to the outer reaches of space. Our innovative solutions support the development and application of practical, cost-effective systems that meet our customers' challenges - from routine to extreme. Our experience and expertise across multiple industries uniquely positions us as a leader in the government, space, and maritime services markets. Our products and services meet the rigorous demands of the complex environments in which they operate, delivering results without compromising safety or reliability.

REQUIRED 

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical or Ocean Engineering, from an accredited institution. 

  • 8 to 15 years of practical experience in mechanical engineering. 

  • 5 or more years of management experience leading multidisciplinary design teams. 

  • Ability to obtain a United States Government Department of Defense Security Clearance (active clearance preferred) 

  • Demonstrated and well-developed leadership qualities. 

  • Capable of managing technical aspects of important and complex projects. 

  • Strong communication, organizational and technical writing skills, including ability to effectively document, convey, and present engineering concepts and products to team members and customers. 

  • Excellent analytical skills for preparing and reviewing technical and project reports. 

DESIRED 

  • Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a related field, from an accredited institution. 

  • Exercise excellent technical judgement, creativity, and initiative with attention to detail consistently throughout your work product, with awareness of the "system" perspective. 

  • Experience in mathematically modeling mechanisms or performing mechanism analytics. 

  • Knowledge and/or experience in the marine industry, fielding Shipboard systems and associated technologies. 

  • Hands-on abilities for assembling mechanical components. 

This position is Hybrid - Remote and will require commuting to a designated office. Hybrid work schedules are determined by the hiring manager based on business need.

PAY, BENEFITS AND WORK SCHEDULE :

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program. 

Annual Pay rate for this position is: $128,100 - $192,100.

ESSENTIAL 

  • Coordinate and supervise an interdisciplinary design team of engineers, designers, drafters, technical writers, and technicians. 

  • Provide supervision and technical leadership for lower-level employees. 

  • Review progress and evaluate results of work accomplished by self and others. 

  • Coordinate and direct engineering projects that may include a variety of complex features and design requirements. 

  • Review and approve objectives, schedules, and estimates for difficult assignments. 

  • Estimate resource requirements to meet technical and scheduling objectives. 

  • Review completion and implementation of technical products. 

  • Ensure that customer requirements are systematically converted into total system solutions. 

  • Analyze and develop design approaches for complex engineering projects. 

  • Demonstrate excellent technical judgment and appreciable independent evaluation and ingenuity. 

  • Make independent decisions to resolve engineering problems and methods. 

  • Develop and apply advanced engineering design methods, theories, and research techniques within related fields. 

  • Conduct investigations and tests of considerable complexity. 

  • Interact with customer representatives to define and manage customer expectations. 

  • Participate in Technical Working Groups to assess and improve ADTECH processes and capabilities. 

  • Assist in bid and proposal efforts by providing cost estimations, technical approach definitions, and schedule data. 

  • Evaluate vendor capability to provide required products or services. 

  • Domestic and international travel, including shipboard operations. 

  • Execute other duties as assigned. 

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