1

Ship Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Class A CDL Driver

Tracy, CA · On-site

$28 - $30/hr

Collect payments for goods delivered, following the instructions provided on ship tickets * Keep accurate driver logs in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations * Always safely operate ...

Class A CDL Driver

Tracy, CA · On-site

$28 - $30/hr

Collect payments for goods delivered, following the instructions provided on ship tickets * Keep accurate driver logs in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations * Always safely operate ...

Showing results 21-40

Ship Driver information

See California salary details

$11

$33

$49

How much do ship driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for ship driver in California is $33.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.51 and $42.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ship driver?

A Ship Driver, commonly referred to as a ship's officer or deck officer, is responsible for navigating and operating a vessel safely. They manage the ship's course, oversee crew operations, and ensure compliance with maritime regulations. Ship Drivers work on various vessels, including cargo ships, military ships, and passenger vessels. Their duties may also include responding to emergencies, monitoring weather conditions, and coordinating with port authorities.

What does a ship driver do?

A typical day for a Ship Driver involves overseeing the navigation and safe operation of the vessel, monitoring weather and sea conditions, communicating with port authorities, and managing the crew's workflow. You’ll conduct pre-departure inspections, plot courses using navigation systems, and respond to any operational challenges that may arise during transit. In addition to these responsibilities, Ship Drivers often participate in safety drills, routine maintenance checks, and daily briefings. Teamwork is essential, as you’ll coordinate closely with engineers, deckhands, and administrative staff to ensure smooth and efficient voyages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a ship driver?

To thrive as a Ship Driver, you need exceptional navigational skills, a thorough understanding of maritime safety regulations, and typically a valid captain’s or pilot’s license. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, radar, radio communication equipment, and maritime charts are essential technical requirements. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help manage crews and handle unexpected situations at sea. These competencies are crucial to ensure the safe and efficient operation of vessels under varying and often challenging conditions.

What job categories do people searching Ship Driver jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Ship Driver jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Ship Driver job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,263 per year, or $33.8 per hour.

Ship/Submarine Engineering Technician 2 - San Diego, CA

M.C. Dean, Inc

Jamul, CA • On-site

$24.80 - $37.20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Build infrastructure such as cabling, connections, and racks on ships and submarines.

  • Install and test C4ISR systems and related equipment according to shipboard installation drawings and diagrams.

  • Support cabling, equipment, and system installations as part of the Alteration Installation Teams.


M.C. Dean rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

244th of 453 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
General:
The M.C. Dean, Inc. Maritime Division works at shipyards around the world from our regional offices in Chesapeake, VA, and San Diego, CA. Become a key member of our Alteration Installation Teams, supporting C4ISR system installations on ships and submarines. Join the top team on the waterfront, working for unrivaled compensation and benefits.
Minimum Education:
  • High School Diploma or GED

Experience: 3+ Years
  • The Engineering Technician 2 has a thorough knowledge of shipboard C5ISR installation practices and procedures, as demonstrated by successful accomplishment of installation tasks. Build infrastructure (cabling, connections, racks) and install and test equipment and devices on ships and submarines. A minimum of three (3) years of applicable experience performing alteration installation tasks to include fabrication and assembly or repairs of electromechanical and electronic assemblies per fabrication/assembly drawings. Experience shall include soldering with low wattage (under 30 watts) soldering devices, assembling cable harnesses, and making high-density electrical cable connectors, coaxial connectors, and waveguide connectors.

Skills and Proficiency:
  • Works with a team supporting cabling, equipment, and C5ISR system installations
  • Read and understand shipboard installation drawings, diagrams, blueprints, and cable running sheets.
  • Demonstrate skill in the operation of all commonly used installation test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, voltmeters, VSWR meters, Bit-Error Rate Test Sets, and Category 5e/6 cable testers.
  • Demonstrate advanced speed and accuracy when performing tasks such as attaching fiber optic connectors, RJ-45 connectors, and DB type connectors, and when dressing cable installations so that the finished product presents a well-organized and professional appearance.
  • Demonstrate superior skills in complex mechanical, sub-assembly, rack and chassis assembly
  • Demonstrate your leadership abilities
  • Provide superior workmanship in a mission-critical environment

Safety and Physical Requirements:
  • Occupation Safety Haz-Mat Certification
  • Shipyard Competent Person Certification
  • Aloft/Climbing / Climbing Shipyard Stairs and Ladders Certification
  • Working in Confined Spaces Certification
  • Training and the Ability to Safely Lift and Move Objects of 50 LBS

Security and Work Locations:
  • Work is primarily in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA but you may travel for extended periods to other shipyards in the USA and to other Navy ports outside the USA
  • You will work at government facilities. You must be a US Citizenship eligible for clearance.
  • You must pass a background investigation
  • You must have a valid driver's license
  • This position may require ongoing or intermittent use of a company vehicle. Selected candidates must possess an acceptable driving record in accordance to our policy.

Other Responsibilities:
  • Work overtime upon management request
  • Maintain and safeguard company equipment and tools
  • Maintain and safeguard welding inventory
  • Organize and schedule welding jobs to an on-time completion

Pay range: $24.80 - $37.20
We offer an excellent benefits package including
  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid-time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Abilities:
  • Lifts at least 100 pounds at one time and 60 pounds for an extended period of time.
  • Relocates a 12 foot stepladder without assistance.
  • Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
  • Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
  • Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
  • May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
  • Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Possible travel locations include the below but not limited to:
  • San Diego, CA
  • Vallejo, CA
  • Everett, WA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Portland, OR
  • Groton, CT
  • Mayport, FL
  • Panama City, FL
  • Charleston, SC
  • Pearl Harbor, HI
  • Portland, OR
  • Earl, NJ
  • Guam

What M.C. Dean employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


M.C. Dean logo

About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

Social media