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Ship Chief Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Think Tank, Inc.

Chief Engineer

Silver Spring, MD · Remote

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

The Chief Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for engineering and systems activities ... ships, aircraft (manned and unmanned), and supporting systems in accordance with mission ...

Think Tank, Inc.

Chief Engineer

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

The Chief Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for engineering and systems activities ... ships, aircraft (manned and unmanned), and supporting systems in accordance with mission ...

SAIC

Principal MBSE Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

... Chief Engineer, System Architect, Integrator, Release Manager, and Government stakeholders to keep ... TS/SCI and ship * Bachelor's and 10+ years of experience; OR Master's and 8+ years; OR PhD/JD and ...

NSS

Chief of Staff - OPNAV

Washington, DC · On-site

C. This role requires a blend of technical depth in amphibious ship design and executive "soft ... You can seamlessly translate between engineering specs, budget constraints, and fleet operational ...

Computationalai

Chief of Staff

Washington, DC · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Doing this well requires not just strong engineering, but tight execution across people, priorities ... Cross-team initiatives ship faster with fewer surprises * Important issues surface early instead of ...

Modern Classrooms Project

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · Remote

$159K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Chief Innovation Officer to ship features that make a real difference for students and educators. You'll be joining a small and growing team of talented software engineers working together to solve ...

Modern Classrooms Project

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$159K - $190K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Chief Innovation Officer to ship features that make a real difference for students and educators. You'll be joining a small and growing team of talented software engineers working together to solve ...

Enboarder

Vice President of Engineering

Washington, DC · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

... Engineer -- gets into the weeds when it matters, and leads at the executive level. You build the ... Compress idea-to-ship cycles for GenAI features; set the bar for moving from prototype to ...

Istari Digital

Deployment Strategist

Washington, DC

$140K - $220K/yr

Some days that means a working session with a prime's chief engineer. Other days it means briefing ... for ship design and qualification, run on classified high-performance computing, where the hard ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsShip Chief Engineer JobsShip Chief Engineer Jobs in Washington

Ship Chief Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$36.8K

$105.3K

$205K

How much do ship chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for ship chief engineer in Washington is $105,269.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,800.00 and $135,900.00 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 Washington? For Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Ship Chief Engineer jobs in Washington are:
Ship Chief Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ship Chief Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,269 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Chief Engineer

Think Tank, Inc.

Silver Spring, MD • Remote

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

*Authorized to work in the US required; US Citizenship preferred

*Remote Position TBD

*Applicants residing in the DMV area preferred as the client is located in Silver Spring, MD

*Three references required


POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Chief Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for engineering and systems activities in support of the NOAA. This position provides organization-wide engineering leadership and ensures the technical integrity, integration, and performance of complex marine, aviation, and associated mission platforms throughout their life cycles.

The Chief Engineer leads and oversees multidisciplinary engineering efforts supporting the planning, design, development, acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, and modernization of NOAA ships, aircraft (manned and unmanned), and supporting systems in accordance with mission requirements and regulatory standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as the senior technical authority and subject matter expert for complex, mission-critical marine, aviation, and supporting systems.
  • Provide organization-wide engineering leadership across multidisciplinary engineering domains, ensuring technical integrity and integration.
  • Direct engineering strategic planning, requirements analysis, concept development, and feasibility assessments.
  • Oversee systems design, integration, test and evaluation, and risk mitigation for new and existing platforms.
  • Provide technical oversight for system construction, modification, modernization, and life-cycle sustainment activities.
  • Advise senior leadership on technical risks, trade-offs, and engineering solutions while ensuring regulatory and safety compliance.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering management, or a related technical discipline
  • 15+ years of experience applying an organization-wide engineering discipline across strategic planning, requirements analysis, systems design, engineering, integration, test and evaluation, construction, and program implementation.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting complex aeronautical, marine, mechanical, electrical, civil, or systems engineering projects.
  • Proven ability to act as a senior technical authority on complex or high-risk engineering systems.
  • Executive-level leadership presence with the ability to manage complex, mission-critical programs.
  • Strong understanding of federal contracting environments and compliance requirements.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to adapt program strategies in response to evolving organizational goals, regulations, and mission needs.
  • Experience working with NOAA preferred

Think Tank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Compensation for the successful candidate will be determined based on a variety of factors, including education, relevant work experience, work location, specific job responsibilities, professional certifications, and other job-related criteria.

Think Tank also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; long-term and short-term disability; and a 401(k) plan. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

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