Entry Level Onboard Cruise Ship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Purpose

The Automation Engineer - Cruise Operations is an individual contributor responsible for the ongoing service, maintenance, upgrades, and operational support of automation and control systems onboard cruise vessels. This role ensures that show automation, motion, and safety systems remain reliable, safe, and fully functional throughout live operations.

The role exists to sustain system performance after delivery: responding to operational issues, maintaining system health, and implementing upgrades that improve reliability and capability over time. It directly supports TAIT's purpose to Create Moments that Move People by ensuring that guest-facing systems operate consistently without disruption.

Operating in a highly reactive and time-sensitive environment, the role partners with Achieve teams, shoreside operations, engineering, and client technical teams to resolve issues quickly, minimize downtime, and maintain strong client trust. The role is primarily operational and tactical, with a global reach across active cruise fleets.

Essential Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Service-Based Operations (Primary Focus)

• Provide on-call emergency support for cruise partners, responding to incidents, faults, and operational disruptions in real time.
• Perform rapid triage and troubleshooting-remotely and onsite-to identify root causes, resolve issues, and restore system functionality with minimal downtime, while keeping stakeholders informed.
• Coordinate with onboard teams and remote stakeholders to ensure clear communication during issue response and resolution.
• Be able to travel at short notice to client sites, possibly internationally to support clients & projects

Onboard Service & Maintenance

• Plan and execute scheduled and reactive onboard service visits, including inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, load testing, and system validation to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot automation, control, and electromechanical systems-resolving faults, performing mechanical repairs (e.g., rigging, gearboxes, brakes, alignment), and addressing risks before operational impact.
• Identify wear, degradation, or emerging risks and proactively address them before operational impact.
• Maintain accurate service documentation, reports, and system updates while coordinating with cross-functional teams, supporting handover and training, and contributing to continuous improvement and TAIT process adherence.
• Diagnose and resolve in-service faults across control systems, networks, drives, and safety systems, often under live show or limited-access conditions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Capability, Project Management) to align delivery, maintenance needs, and ongoing operational performance.
• Identify and communicate risks, recurring system issues, scope gaps, and service-related challenges early.
• Support system handover, operator training, and transition into operational support and service models.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from both commissioning and in-service support.

System Upgrades & Improvements

• Deliver system upgrades, patches, and retrofits, including Navigator and iQ software updates, in line with TAIT standards and evolving client requirements.
• Prepare and maintain accurate documentation, including test reports, commissioning records, redlines, and system updates.
• Validate upgrades through structured testing and ensure compatibility with live operational environments.
• Support commissioning and validation of upgraded systems prior to return to operation.

*Other duties may be assigned to meet business and client needs as required.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform the essential responsibilities, individuals must have the following level of education and experience, or equivalent combination. Additionally, the following certifications, knowledge, skills, or physical requirements are necessary for the position.

• Education: GED/ High School Diploma required. Formal study or training in relevant field a plus.
• 4 - 7+ years of technical experience in field applications, mechanical system maintenance, or automation installation
• Experience installing automation systems on cruise ships a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with rigging, hydraulics, and mechanical, and electrical systems
• Willingness and ability to travel with short notice for potentially extended periods. Approximately 120 days per year, both domestic and international depending on vessel locations
• Willingness to sail with and accept accommodations onboard cruise ships during maintenance periods.

• Right to work in the US.
• Willingness to relocate to Orlando, FL or Lititz, PA

Working Physical Effort

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is required to frequently walk, bend, climb, push, pull, twist, squat, stoop, and kneel each day. Specific requirements are:

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time

• Must be able to lift or move 70 lbs. with or without assistance.

• Must be able to pull or push 140 lbs.

Work conditions of the role:

• Work conditions may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require following basic safety precautions.

• Must be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work within or visit areas where required. This includes, safety glasses, reflective vest, ear plugs, safety toed shoes, and other PPE as required by the location

• Ability to work in "entertainment conditions" including a wide variety of working places such as shops, backstage, catwalks at height, construction areas, theme parks, and cruise ships.

The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical limitations or disabilities. If there are specific physical needs related to lifting, walking, or any other task, candidates are encouraged to discuss their requirements during the hiring process. The organization will make every effort to accommodate these needs to ensure equal opportunities for all employees.