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Ship Agent Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Platform Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $240/hr

Ship agent systems and AI-powered workflows from early prototype through production. * Partner with customers to find the highest-leverage problems and build solutions that stick. * Build agentic ...

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

Design and ship agent capabilities from 0 to 1 inside a fast-scaling product surface * Contribute across the full stack as needed, with the majority of work focused on agent infrastructure and ...

Ship agent systems that run business operations autonomously-OKR execution, MBR/WBR cadences, Auto-Pilot workflows-at enterprise reliability. * Own features end-to-end from customer problem to ...

AI Product Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Ship agent systems that run business operations autonomously--OKR execution, MBR/WBR cadences, Auto‑Pilot workflows--at enterprise reliability. * Own features end-to-end from customer problem to ...

Ship agent capabilities that run in production at national banks and servicers * Contribute to evals and QA harnesses that catch failure modes and makes reliable AI scale in production * Work with ...

Design, develop, test, and ship agent workflows using Agent Development Kit (ADK) and Python in production environments * Develop Integrations: Connect the platform with customer systems, databases ...

Forward Deployed Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

... end: agent orchestration platform, cloud infrastructure, and the integrations runtime. * Set the engineering patterns and architectural foundations that every future hire builds on. * Ship to ...

Agent Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

Job Title: Agent Engineer Job Location: Soma, San Francisco Job Type: Full-time * Someone who ... Full stack coding: frontend, backend, devops but ultimately you'll need to ship features across the ...

Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Own core systems end-to-end: agent platform, cloud infrastructure, and the integrations runtime ... Ship reliable, observable, production-grade systems continuously. * Drive end-to-end feature ...

Forward Deployed Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

... end: agent orchestration platform, cloud infrastructure, and the integrations runtime. * Set the engineering patterns and architectural foundations that every future hire builds on. * Ship to ...

Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Own core systems end-to-end: agent platform, cloud infrastructure, and the integrations runtime ... Ship reliable, observable, production-grade systems continuously. * Drive end-to-end feature ...

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Showing results 1-20

Ship Agent information

See California salary details

$5

$16

$24

How much do ship agent jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for ship agent in California is $16.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a ship agent do?

A Ship Agent acts as a representative for shipowners, charterers, or operators while a vessel is in port. They handle administrative tasks, coordinate port services, arrange customs clearance, and ensure compliance with local regulations. Ship Agents also facilitate crew changes, procurement of supplies, and communication between the ship and port authorities. Their role is crucial for the smooth and efficient turnaround of vessels in port.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a ship agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Ship Agent, you need strong organizational abilities, in-depth knowledge of maritime regulations, and experience with port operations or shipping logistics. Familiarity with port management systems, shipping documentation software, and sometimes relevant certifications such as IMDG or ISPS Code training are often required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills are vital for coordinating with diverse stakeholders and responding quickly to unexpected situations. These competencies ensure efficient vessel turnaround, compliance with regulations, and smooth coordination between crews, port authorities, and service providers.

Infographic showing various Ship Agent job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,197 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Boarding Agent, Maritime Ship Agent

T. Parker Host

Long Beach, CA

$70K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description


Title: Associate, Operations

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary:$70,500 - $85,000 Annually

Company: Host Agency, LLC

Reports To: Operations Manager

Dating back to a century ago in 1923, T. Parker Host quickly developed a strong reputation for offering exceptional service and solutions as a ship agency. HOST is the largest dry bulk agent in the United States and handles nearly 4,000 vessels annually, including dry bulk, breakbulk, tankers and cruise ships. As agents, we represent principals from around the world and coordinate directly with both local and international parties for every ship we’re appointed – improving efficiency for our customers. Host Agency continues to develop a strong worldwide network of relationships throughout the maritime community.

In addition to immediately serving our customers’ vessels, we offer a range of services to add value and support throughout the supply chain – from forwarding and documentation, to commodity reporting, to cargo monitoring.

Position Summary:

Entry-level position and springboard to embark on a career in the maritime field. Liaise with pilots, tug boats, linemen, US Customs and Border Protection, US Coast Guard, cargo interests and vessel owners to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations while in port. Excellent opportunity for those looking to spend time in the field, as well as time in the office, handling communications and port expenses. Must be comfortable with a flexible schedule, working nights and weekends as needed based on vessels' schedules.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Operations Management

  • Boarding of vessels at marine facilities and mid-stream locations
  • Coordinate berthing assignments and order pilots, tugs, and linesmen for vessels
  • Coordinate and order vessel husbandry services within authorized funding limits
  • Provide timely and accurate responses to incoming email requests for assigned ships and general office traffic when required
  • Draft, execute, and dispatch commercial documentation with timeliness and accuracy
  • Be contactable at all times while on call and maintain readiness to respond to vessel requirements and changes of boarding schedules after office hours
  • Follow Company Standard Operating Procedures and seek guidance when modifications for specific calls or other questions arise
  • Travel to and provide operations support to other ports when required by the Host management team
  • Assist in the training and onboarding of new team members as required

Regulatory

  • Coordinate with U.S. Government Agencies to prepare and submit required documents, verify successful filings of reporting notices, and schedule necessary vessel attendances within required time frames
  • Verify successful filing of cargo import, entry, and export manifests within required time frames

Service

  • Maintain professional acumen and a customer service mindset when dealing with Host customer, stakeholder and industry relationships

Education, Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities Required:

  • Prior customer service experience, required. Prior agency experience, a plus.
  • Transitioning military personnel and veterans encouraged to apply.
  • Must have valid driver's license with clean driving record.
  • Strong interpersonal skills including excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Self-motivated and able to multi-task in a constantly changing work environment
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to manage high volumes of electronic communication, both in office and while mobile in the field
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and adapt to fluid ship port schedules in 24/7/365 port operations
  • ASBA agency certified or willing to become within first three months of employment

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to board vessels via gangway and/or pilot ladder alongside berth and over open water
  • Climbing, ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps using feet and legs and/or hands and arms
  • Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs
  • Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions (cold, heat, wind, rain, snow)

HOST, and its affiliated companies, is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.