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Ship Chief Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Zumwalt Platform Integration Chief Engineer ... ship platforms. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of ...

Principal FPGA Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$144K - $192K/yr

Work collaboratively with an Integrated Product Team (IPT) comprised of Program Manager(s), Chief ... Experience leading projects or mentoring team members is preferred. * ship is mandatory; Active ...

... ship's force, contractors, and other pertinent parties outlining MARMC RMC work certification process and roles/responsibilities of each signatory. * Support the MARMC Chief Engineers and SME for all ...

... ship's force, contractors, and other pertinent parties outlining MARMC RMC work certification process and roles/responsibilities of each signatory. * Support the MARMC Chief Engineers and SME for all ...

ENGINEER/SCIENTIST

Dahlgren, VA · On-site +1

$143K - $197K/yr

You will serve as the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Zumwalt Platform Integration Chief Engineer ... ship platforms. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of ...

Showing results 41-60

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 17, 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 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 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 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:

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

US Department of the Navy

Portsmouth, VA • On-site

$90K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

You will serve as a MECHANICAL ENGINEER in the Surface Ship Auxiliary/Hydraulics Branch (code 263), Fluid/Mechanical Engineering and Planning Division (code 260), Office of Chief Engineer (code 240), Engineering and Planning Department (code 200) of NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience applying knowledge of nuclear aircraft carrier mechanical design projects involving but not limited to aircraft and weapons elevators, ammunition and cargo handling equipment, cranes, aircraft Launch and Recovery systems, and steering systems.
  • Experience providing technical guidance on various mechanical and hydraulic equipment and systems through the mastery of concepts, principles, and practices of marine and mechanical engineering.
  • Experience in nuclear propulsion plants cognizant compartments, systems and components, and secondary containment boundaries.
  • Experience determining special equipment required to perform test and instruments needed to acquire operating data and the extent of testing to be performed based on the amount and type of workaccomplished on equipment.
  • Experience evaluating and applying the latest developments and techniques in solving problems not readily treatable by traditional or accepted methods.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
Employment Type: OTHER

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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