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Ship Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amphibious Ship Platform Engineer

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$124K/yr

The Surface Maintenance Engineering, Planning, Program (SURFMEPP) maintains, monitors, and refines Class-wide and Individual-Ship Maintenance Plans for all non-nuclear surface ships to ensure ...

Ship Build Engineer

Franklin, LA · On-site

$104K/yr

Job Overview We are seeking a talented and motivated Ship Building Engineer to support the design, analysis, and development of autonomous surface vessels. This role will provide hands-on experience ...

Engineer-Jr.

Washington, DC

$146K/yr

* SEA 21, NAVSEA's Director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization, and Sustainment is seeking ... Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and develop ...

Engineer-Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

$146K/yr

* SEA 21, NAVSEA's Director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization, and Sustainment is seeking ... Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and develop ...

Engineer-Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

$146K/yr

* SEA 21, NAVSEA's Director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization, and Sustainment is seeking ... Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and develop ...

Engineer-Jr.

Washington, DC · On-site

$146K/yr

* SEA 21, NAVSEA's Director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization, and Sustainment is seeking ... Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and develop ...

Forward Deployed Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$141K/yr

You are the engineer who walks into a client codebase and ships the AI workflow that changes how thousands of people do their job. The plan becomes the running system because you built it. You work ...

Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152K/yr

Ship quickly with customers; measure impact and refine. * Hold a high quality bar while executing ... Hands-on with DevOps, CI/CD, and containers. * Able to take products from 0→1, concept to ...

This is a hands-on, full-stack engineering role with a business lens ... You'll scope problems directly with stakeholders, architect and ship automation systems end-to-end ...

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Ship Engineer information

See salary details

$94.5K

$130.5K

How much do ship engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for ship engineer in the United States is $128,141.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $129,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by ship engineers during long voyages?

Ship engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining and troubleshooting complex machinery under demanding conditions, working long hours in shifts, and adapting to repairs with limited resources while at sea. They must also be prepared to respond quickly to mechanical failures or emergencies to ensure the vessel's safety and efficiency. Additionally, ship engineers work closely with deck officers and other crew members, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills, especially during extended periods away from shore.

What Does a Ship Engineer Do?

As a ship engineer, your duties include the operation and maintenance of a ship’s engine, boiler, pump, generator, and other machinery. You are also responsible for supervising and coordinating crew tasks in the maintenance and operation of the ship. Your responsibilities may include starting a ship’s engine to propel the ship, controlling the speed as ordered by the captain or bridge computers, and fixing any components that need immediate repair. As a ship engineer, you may also be in charge of reporting any issues to the appropriate staff onboard and maintaining records regarding engine activities and maintenance.

What are ship engineers and what do they do?

Ship engineers are responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing the engines, machinery, and systems that power ships and other marine vessels. They ensure that all mechanical and electrical equipment, such as propulsion systems, generators, and pumps, are running efficiently and safely. Ship engineers also monitor equipment performance, conduct routine inspections, and respond to emergencies to keep the vessel functioning smoothly during voyages.

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

To thrive as a Ship Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical and marine engineering principles, a relevant engineering degree, and typically a marine engineer’s license. Familiarity with ship propulsion systems, engine monitoring software, and regulatory compliance systems is vital. Problem-solving, teamwork, and strong attention to detail are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient vessel operation and compliance with maritime regulations.

What is the difference between Ship Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectShip EngineerMarine Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in marine systemsEngineering degree, marine certifications
Work EnvironmentOnboard ships, shipyardsOn ships, marine repair facilities
Industry UsageShipbuilding, shipping companiesShip maintenance, marine services

Ship Engineers and Marine Engineers often share similar credentials and work environments, focusing on maintaining and repairing ship systems. The main difference lies in their specific roles: Ship Engineers typically oversee the entire engineering department onboard ships, while Marine Engineers may work more broadly in marine repair and maintenance outside of ships. Both roles are essential in the maritime industry and often overlap in skills and certifications.

What cities are hiring for Ship Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Ship Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Ship Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Ship Engineer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Ship Engineer jobs? For Ship Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Ship Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,141 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Amphibious Ship Platform Engineer

Amphibious Ship Platform Engineer

ManTech

Portsmouth, VA • On-site

$124K/yr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


ManTech rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 186 rated software companies


Job description

Description & Requirements
Shape the future of defense with MANTECH! Join a team dedicated to safeguarding our nation through advanced tech and innovative solutions. Since 1968, we've been a trusted partner to the Department of Defense, delivering cutting-edge projects that make a real impact. Dive into exciting opportunities in Cybersecurity, IT, Data Analytics and more. Propel your career forward and be part of something extraordinary. Your journey starts now-protect and innovate with MANTECH!

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career customer-oriented Amphibious Platform Engineer to join our team in Portsmouth, VA This is an onsite position.

The Surface Maintenance Engineering, Planning, Program (SURFMEPP) maintains, monitors, and refines Class-wide and Individual-Ship Maintenance Plans for all non-nuclear surface ships to ensure material readiness for the projected service life, develop life-cycle strategies to address system upgrades, and fully implement the Class Maintenance Plan into each surface ship's maintenance schedule and availability planning process. SURFMEPP is headquartered at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Coordinate with Port Engineers, Technical Warrant Holders, In-Service Engineering Agents, Ship Design Managers and Regional Maintenance Centers in all matters concerning maintenance and modernization

  • Validate existing CMP content through engineering and data analysis. Update CMP requirements' man-day and material cost estimates from a review and analysis of actual return costs. Assist in the development of CMP tasks for Program and Fleet Modernization requirements with associated configuration data for assigned ship class.

  • Coordinate CMP Processing activities, including the development, maintenance and monitoring of Baseline Availability Work Packages (BAWPs) / Availability Work Packages (AWPs). Validate the CMP content through review of requirements in JFMM, NSTM, Ship Specifications, tech manuals, instructions and drawings.

  • Develop, collate and brief maintenance and modernization documents and strategies to all working levels of the maintenance team, to include SES and Flag-level.

  • Develop and deliver engineered ship-specific Shipsheets in support of Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE). Conduct detailed reviews of ship CSMP entries to identify requirements, cost elements and impact to availabilities regarding duration and budget.

  • Assist in the development and delivery of Technical Foundation Papers for assigned ship class that describe ship lifecycle maintenance requirements that ensure each ship reaches its Expected Service Life (ESL).

  • Assist SURFMEPP Activity and SEA 21 personnel with answering Congressional, OSD, Force Management and Budget (FMB), and other agency questions-for-the-record, data calls, reports, and other similar inquiries.

  • Support the development of metrics for processes and products, and ensure alignment with Future Readiness Team / SWE requirements. Use these metrics to provide recommendations for improvements in the CMP and other SURFMEPP Activity processes and products.

  • Maintain the accuracy, content, integrity of and accessibility to the Class Maintenance Plan and the Maintenance and Shipwork Planning database for surface ships.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of Naval Ships Experience

  • Demonstrated maintenance and engineering planning experience with amphibious surface ship classes

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (SharePoint, Power Point, Excel, Word, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 15+ years of Naval Ships Experience

  • Demonstrated engineering experience as Naval Officer or Senior Enlisted ("Senior Enlisted" defined as Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief); OR Prior experience as Port Engineer or Project Manager for subject ship class

  • If prior active duty Navy, Qualification as Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW)

  • Navy Maintenance through Ship Yard experiences such as serving onboard a ship or on a Project Team during a ship's Depot Level (CNO Avail) or throughout an Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) Maintenance Cycle

  • Help with surface navy ships in the planning, budgeting, execution of off-ship repair, maintenance, and modernization

  • Experience with US Navy surface ship depot level maintenance planning process and associated organizations

  • Working knowledge of Navy correspondence

Clearance Requirements:

  • Must be a US Citizen and possess a current or active Secret Security clearance or ability to obtain prior to starting on program.

Physical Requirements:

  • The person in this position must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

  • Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, or to communicate with co-workers, management, and customers, via email, phone, and or virtual.


MANTECH considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to disability or veteran status or any other status protected under any federal, state, or local law or regulation.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with MANTECH, please email us at careers@mantech.com and provide your name and contact information.

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