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Merchant Marine Engine Room Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Edison Chouest Offshore

QMED/Oiler (Vessel)

LA · On-site

QMED performs assigned tasks including engine room watch. Marine Functions * Adhere to and comply ... Holds a valid merchant mariner credential Emergency Response Functions * Safety Sensitive Duties:

Antillean Marine Shipping Corp

Marine Mechanic

Miami, FL

$24.50 - $29.25/hr

At least five years of marine mechanic experience or engine room sea time, in line with STCW requirements. * Good knowledge of marine engines, electrical systems, and vessel maintenance. * Able to ...

Antillean Marine Shipping Corp

Marine Mechanic

Miami, FL · On-site

$24.50 - $29.25/hr

At least five years of marine mechanic experience or engine room sea time, in line with STCW requirements. * Good knowledge of marine engines, electrical systems, and vessel maintenance. * Able to ...

Dann Marine Towing

Licensed Engineer

Maintain all engine room safety equipment, alarms, and monitoring systems. * Uphold a clean, safe ... USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with appropriate endorsements (DDE, QMED, or higher) * Strong ...

Rising Star Casino

Mechanic

Rising Sun, IN · On-site

Makes routine rounds of engine room, facility and casino spaces notifying management of any unusual ... Desire past mechanical and electrical experience in a military, merchant marine or plant operations ...

Full House Resorts

Mechanic

Rising Sun, IN · On-site

Makes routine rounds of engine room, facility and casino spaces notifying management of any unusual ... Desire past mechanical and electrical experience in a military, merchant marine or plant operations ...

Oracle

Senior Marine Engineer

Seattle, WA

$119K - $163K/yr

Supervise and mentor engine room crew members * Participate in safety drills and emergency response preparedness Requirements * Minimum 8-12 years of experience in marine engineering onboard ...

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Merchant Marine Engine Room information

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$12

$22

$37

How much do merchant marine engine room jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for merchant marine engine room in the United States is $22.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Merchant Marine Engine Room jobs?

Merchant Marine Engine Room jobs involve operating, maintaining, and repairing the machinery and systems that power ships at sea. These roles include positions such as marine engineers, engine officers, and oilers who work below deck to ensure the vessel’s engines, boilers, pumps, and other mechanical systems run smoothly. Engine room personnel are responsible for regular inspections, troubleshooting, and keeping detailed records of maintenance work. They play a crucial role in the safe and efficient operation of merchant vessels, both during voyages and while docked. These jobs require technical training, often through maritime academies or apprenticeships, and certification to work on various types of ships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Merchant Marine Engine Room, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Merchant Marine Engine Room, you need solid mechanical and electrical knowledge, maritime engineering qualifications, and relevant Coast Guard or STCW certifications. Familiarity with engine monitoring systems, fuel management controls, and safety protocols is required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills in this environment. These skills and qualifications are critical to ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of a ship's propulsion and power systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Merchant Marine Engine Room personnel during long voyages?

Merchant Marine Engine Room personnel often encounter challenges such as maintaining equipment reliability under continuous operation, managing fatigue due to shift work, and troubleshooting mechanical issues far from shore. The engine room can be a high-stress environment, especially during emergencies when quick and accurate decisions are crucial. Effective teamwork and communication with deck officers and other crew members are essential to ensure smooth vessel operations and safety at sea.

What is the difference between Merchant Marine Engine Room vs Marine Engineer?

AspectMerchant Marine Engine RoomMarine Engineer
CertificationsSTCW certifications, Merchant Mariner CredentialSTCW certifications, Engineering licenses
Work EnvironmentOnboard ships, confined engine spacesOn ships or in shipyards, engine rooms or workshops
Industry UsageMaritime shipping, cargo vesselsShip operation, maintenance, design

The Merchant Marine Engine Room refers to the physical space and crew working within the ship's engine compartment, focusing on operational tasks. A Marine Engineer is a licensed professional responsible for maintaining and repairing ship engines and systems. While both roles require similar certifications and work environments, the Merchant Marine Engine Room describes the location and crew, whereas Marine Engineer describes the professional role and responsibilities.

Infographic showing various Merchant Marine Engine Room job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 90% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,925 per year, or $22.1 per hour.
QMED/Oiler (Vessel)

QMED/Oiler (Vessel)

Edison Chouest Offshore

LA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Edison Chouest Offshore rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Responsibilities
  • Cleaning the engine room and all the machinery. Should be familiar with the use of hand tools and the machinery layout of the vessel. Assist Engineer as needed.
  • Report any shortcomings, inaccuracies, or conflicts in any portion of the MS to the Master or Engineer
  • QMED performs assigned tasks including engine room watch.

Marine Functions
  • Adhere to and comply with company policies, U.S. Coast Guard, and environmental regulations
  • This position requires working 7 days a week on a rotating schedule, with shifts lasting at least 12 hours within each 24-hour period. Occasionally, shifts may extend, but will not exceed 14 consecutive hours.
  • Responsible for handling lines for the mooring of the vessel as needed
  • Overhauls lifeboats and lifeboat gear and lowers or raises lifeboats with a winch or falls as directed
  • May be required to assist in maintenance of ship's gear, or engine room watch duties.
  • Participates in safety and rescue drills for emergency situations
  • Provides and/or assist with training
  • Assembles rigging to lift and move equipment or material on board the vessel
  • Performs any duty that may be required as part of the training
  • Ensures cleanliness of the engine room, bilges, rudder room, and void spaces, maintains engine room watch when underway, examines machinery for specified pressures and flow of lubricants, oils, and greases moving parts
  • Collects, dumps, and clean garbage. Empties color-coded receptacles for segregated garbage to the appropriate storage or processing location.
  • Cleans, paints, and does general housekeeping on the vessel
  • Holds a valid merchant mariner credential

Emergency Response Functions
  • Safety Sensitive Duties: Include but are not limited to; directing and mustering passengers in emergencies, passing out lifejackets, controlling and operating lifesaving equipment, controlling and operating firefighting equipment
  • Safety Sensitive Position: Is any position aboard a vessel that requires the person filling that position to perform one or more safety-sensitive duties on either a routine or emergency-only basis. Any person filling a safety-sensitive position is subject to U.S. Coast Guard drug & alcohol testing. All crew members are considered to be filling safety-sensitive positions as well.
  • Ensures first aid is provided to victims
  • Firefighting and damage control
  • Assist on deck for man overboard crisis
  • Directed by the Master/Mate to take appropriate actions at the scene of an emergency

Security Functions
  • Designated Security Duties

HSE Responsibilities
  • Document and notify supervisor immediately of any accidents/ illnesses / vessel incidents/ near misses/ etc.
  • Participate and supervise the company's safety programs (i.e. Safety Observations, Toolbox Talks, Permit to Work, Near Miss, Risk Assessments, etc.)
  • Utilize "Stop Work Authority" if any personal safety, environmental risk, property damage, or company reputation are at risk
  • Responsible for ensuring the maintenance and use of all necessary PPE
  • Performs all duties while wearing protective equipment to include foul weather gear, PFD, gloves, boots, eye protection, hearing protection, etc. as applicable.
  • Responsible for ensuring and supervising the elimination of at-risk behaviors by reducing unsafe conditions and unsafe acts on and around the worksite

Supervisory Functions
  • Responsible for imparting knowledge about the specific features, characteristics, and procedures of the vessel operations to crew members and the orientation of all new personnel aboard the vessel
  • Provide on-the-job training
  • Ensures that he/she is capable of navigating through and communicating the requirements and contents of the MS to company representatives, regulatory personnel, and vessel crew-members
  • Perform any other additional duties that may be required or assigned

Work Environment
  • Work in locations not accessible to definitive medical care

Physical Demands
  • Required to be able to read and write in English, calculate, have estimation skills, possess good verbal presentation, and be able to communicate effectively
  • Required to be able to tolerate repetitive and prolonged postures involving standing, sitting, twisting, squatting, kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, stretching, reaching, and reaching to full range from above head to the floor
  • Required to be able to utilize good dexterity and frequently use one or two hands throughout the work period
  • Required good balance/coordination when walking over uneven and/or slippery surfaces
  • Required to have sufficient cardio-respiratory fitness to perform medium-heavy physical labor involving the ability to sit and/or stand for extended time frames, walk for prolonged periods, handle various tools, climb ladders, and climb stairwells
  • Subject to adverse weather conditions including rough seas, cold, wet, elevated temperatures, and humid conditions
  • Required to be able to lift at least 100 pounds from floor to waist
  • Required to be able to lift at least 75 pounds from floor to shoulder
  • Required to be able to lift at least 25 pounds from floor to head
  • Required to demonstrate 90 pounds of grip strength in dominate hand and 80 pounds in non-dominate hand
  • Required to demonstrate physical demand requirements during initial pre-employment physical and any future physicals while employed
  • Able to repeatedly walk the length of the vessel

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Edison Chouest Offshore Family of Companies is committed to ensuring all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices. We are dedicated to ensuring all employees are treated with the utmost level of respect as we believe this is the strongest foundation to build upon to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable handling their assignments, sharing their ideas, and pointing out opportunities for improvement.

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