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Ship Chief Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Metron, Inc

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Engineer provides senior-level technical authority for the design, development ... SHIP REQUIRED; Successful candidates will be subject to a security investigation and must meet ...

A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S

Ship Superintendent

Norfolk, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide oversight for vessel Masters and Chief Engineers to ensure that voyages are efficiently and ... Ship Manager Maintenance: Ship Manager is the asset management operating system. This is the ...

A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S

Ship Superintendent

Norfolk, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Provide oversight for vessel Masters and Chief Engineers to ensure that voyages are efficiently and ... Ship Manager Maintenance: Ship Manager is the asset management operating system. This is the ...

Emprise Corporation

Senior Marine Engineer

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

... ships of not less than 4,000 HP as either a Chief Engineer or a First Assistant Engineer * Experience gained while serving in the military may be applicable towards meeting this requirement

Huntington Ingalls Industries

ENGINEER 5

Newport News, VA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ... Act as an imbedded representative of the NNS Chief Engineer's Office within the Future Submarine ...

HII

ENGINEER 5

Newport News, VA

$150K - $185K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ... Act as an imbedded representative of the NNS Chief Engineer's Office within the Future Submarine ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsShip Chief Engineer JobsShip Chief Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Ship Chief Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$32.2K

$92.1K

$179.4K

How much do ship chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for ship chief engineer in Virginia is $92,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Ship Chief Engineer, you need a deep understanding of marine engineering, mechanical systems, and regulatory compliance, supported by a degree in marine engineering and a Chief Engineer's license (STCW certification). Proficiency with shipboard machinery, maintenance management systems, and diagnostic tools is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating engine room teams and responding to emergencies. These skills ensure the safe, efficient operation of the vessel, compliance with maritime regulations, and the wellbeing of crew and cargo.

What are some common challenges faced by a ship chief engineer, and how can they be addressed?

As a Ship Chief Engineer, you'll often encounter challenges such as managing a diverse engineering team, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations, and maintaining complex machinery under tight schedules. To address these, it's important to foster clear communication within your team, stay updated on regulatory changes, and implement regular preventive maintenance routines. Developing strong problem-solving skills and adaptability also helps in handling unexpected technical issues during voyages.

What is the difference between Ship Chief Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectShip Chief EngineerMarine Engineer
CredentialsSTCW Chief Engineer Certification, Marine Engineering DegreeSTCW Marine Engineer Certification, Marine Engineering Degree
Work EnvironmentEngine room, ship's technical managementEngine room, ship's technical operations
Employer & Industry UsageShipping companies, cruise lines, offshore vesselsShipping companies, offshore industry, naval vessels
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Ship Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall operation and maintenance of the ship's engine room, overseeing the engineering team. The Marine Engineer typically refers to the same role but may also denote engineers with specialized technical skills or different certification levels. While both roles work in similar environments and require comparable credentials, the Chief Engineer holds a leadership position overseeing the entire engineering department.

What is a ship chief engineer?

Ship Chief Engineers are the senior-most engineers on a vessel, responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of all mechanical and electrical systems on board. They manage the engineering department, ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and supervise the engine room crew. Chief Engineers are vital for the safe and efficient running of a ship, often collaborating closely with the Captain and other officers. Their duties include troubleshooting technical issues, maintaining equipment, and ensuring that all machinery runs smoothly during voyages.

What are popular job titles related to Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Ship Chief Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ship Chief Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,148 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Chief Engineer, Autonomous Systems

Metron, Inc

Reston, VA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

About Metron
Metron is an employee-owned company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for the most challenging national security problems. For over 40 years, our principled approach to problem-solving has yielded creative solutions at the intersection of advanced mathematics, computer science, physics, and engineering. Our people are leaders in their technical fields and are passionate about solving challenging problems. We look for individuals who share this same passion and can apply their experience in real-world settings.
Our team is seeking an accomplished technical leader to serve as the Chief Engineer for Autonomous Maritime Systems. The Chief Engineer provides senior-level technical authority for the design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment of advanced autonomous undersea vehicles and uncrewed maritime platforms. The ideal candidate has extensive experience taking complex maritime autonomous systems from early concept and prototype development through production transition and operational deployment.
This role requires broad technical depth across autonomy software, naval architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering, power and energy systems, marine robotics, navigation and sensing, acoustic communications, cyber-resilient architectures, and systems engineering. The Chief Engineer will guide technical strategy, lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams, drive rigorous design and verification practices, and ensure that Metron's engineering solutions meet demanding operational, environmental, and safety requirements for maritime missions.
Responsibilities
  • Lead end-to-end engineering activities including concept development, requirements specification, detailed design, integration, test, verification, validation, production transition, sustainment, and obsolescence management.
  • Ensure complex maritime systems mature from prototype to production-ready platforms, including manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, quality assurance, maintainability, and alignment with Navy certification and safety standards.
  • Direct multi-disciplinary engineering teams spanning autonomous system software, mechanical and electrical engineering, hydrodynamics, buoyancy and stability, acoustic and RF communications, energy systems, payload integration, and maritime control systems.
  • Drive systems engineering rigor, including definition of performance objectives, requirements management, MBSE practices, baseline management, and architecture trade studies.
  • Collaborate with government customers, and industry partners to ensure solutions meet mission needs and evolving operational concepts.
  • Support customer engagements and business development activities by articulating technical solutions, shaping conceptual designs, and contributing to competitive proposals and white papers.
  • Lead investigation and resolution of high-priority technical issues on mission-critical programs.
  • Mentor engineering staff, develop emerging technical leaders, and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and strong engineering discipline.

Required Qualifications and Skills
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, naval architecture, or a related field.
  • At least 8 years of leadership experience developing and delivering undersea military systems.
  • Demonstrated experience developing autonomous maritime or undersea systems and driving them through prototyping, field testing, and production transition.
  • Experience managing technical risks and resolving critical issues in high-visibility programs.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%.
  • SHIP REQUIRED; Successful candidates will be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Desired Qualifications and Skills
  • Systems architect experience with broad cross-disciplinary engineering knowledge (systems, mechanical, electrical, software, cyber security).
  • Experience designing, integrating, and testing underwater vehicles including hydrodynamics, buoyancy/stability, hull structures, propulsion and control, energy systems, and payloads.
  • Expertise in underwater autonomy, navigation systems, sonar, batteries, and acoustic/RF/optical communications.
  • Experience analyzing data from autonomous undersea systems including motion, navigation, communications, acoustic sensors, and AI/ML methods for performance evaluation.
  • Demonstrated experience executing the full engineering lifecycle for complex military systems from concept through sustainment.
  • Proven ability to engage and influence customers, assess requirements, and adapt technical solutions to evolving needs.
  • Experience developing technology roadmaps and guiding IRAD investments.
  • Successful track record contributing to competitive proposals for engineering development and manufacturing programs.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience leading large, distributed, multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
  • Familiarity with Navy safety requirements, safety review boards, and operational procedures for autonomous undersea systems.
  • Experience with open maritime autonomy architectures such as UMAA or MOSA, and model-based system engineering (MBSE), configuration, and requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS and CAMEO).

Position Location: Reston, VA
*The selected individual must be able to report to the Reston, VA office up to 5 days a week, and must be able to fulfill work travel requirements.
Perks and Benefits
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Accompanying FSA and HSA options
  • Additional Voluntary Benefits
  • Paid Time Off
  • 9 Observed Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Professional Development Reimbursement
  • Annual Salary Reviews
  • Profit Sharing
  • 401(k) Traditional and Roth Options
  • Gym and Fitness Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Program

Metron is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religious, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
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