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Ship Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Forward Deployed Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$141K/yr

We ship software, not slides. The deliverable is a running system. What You'll Do * Embed deeply ... Use the platforms our core engineering team is building, and extend them when they fall short.

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Ship Engineer information

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$94.5K

$130.5K

How much do ship engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 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 job categories do people searching Ship Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ship Engineer jobs are:
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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,141 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Assistant Ship Engineer - RV Walton Smith

Assistant Ship Engineer - RV Walton Smith

University of Miami

Miami, FL

$123K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

Current Employees:

If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position, please review this tip sheet.

The Marines Operations Department at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, ATmospheric and Earth Science has an exciting opportunity for a Ship Engineer. The Engineer is responsible for representing, enforcing, and preserving University interests, policies and procedures to the crew, clients, sub-contractors, and duly authorized authorities as directed by the Master. The range of duties is broad in scope and the incumbent will be expected to exercise independent analysis, decision-making, judgment, and initiative in establishing priorities and completing work.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Insures all engineering systems aboard the F.G. Walton Smith are operational
  • Maintains and repairs essential mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing systems and structural integrity of the vessel
  • Oversees related work of such systems while vessel is in the shipyard or in port
  • Performs constant checks on pressures and temperatures, fuel consumption, fluid levels, and conditions of operating machinery ensuring safe, economical, and efficient operation.
  • Operates shipboard equipment such as pumps, winches, engines, hydraulic systems, refrigeration equipment, air compressors, cranes, sewage systems, watermakers, and piping/tank systems
  • Supervises outside contractors performing engineering related tasks
  • In charge of fuel bunkering operations
  • In charge of machinery parts inventory
  • Maintains documentation and logbooks of engineering department activity
  • Analyze needs, plans and performs preventive maintenance and upgrades for systems and successfully implements and administers the ship's planned maintenance.
  • Develop and maintain a budget for the engineering department
  • Related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Ability to prioritize and to handle multiple projects simultaneously
  • Diesel/Gas/Electric mechanic
  • Ability to read/interpret ship's general, A/C and D/C electrical line drawing and troubleshooting
  • Marine plumbing
  • Hydraulics
  • Troubleshooting and maintenance of HVAC system
  • Ability to express engineering issues in layman's terms to ship's crew and shore support
  • Experienced in the use of hand and power tools
  • Basic computer skills
  • Able to fabricate, weld and repair ship's structure and support systems.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

  • High school graduate is required
  • Current/valid state driver's license

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

  • At least 3 years of maritime experience in the engineering department or military equivalent preferred
  • USCG Designated Duty Engineer certificate preferred
  • STCW endorsement preferred
  • Advanced firefighting preferred
  • Must have a Current/valid US passport
  • EPA 608 Refrigerant and Recovery certification preferred
  • TWIC card

CORE JOB SUMMARY
The Ship Engineer 2 supervises operations, maintenance and/or repair of vessel machinery, support systems and structural integrity while in port or at sea. The Ship Engineer 2 supervises the crew mates assigned to engineering duties aboard the vessel. In addition, the Ship Engineer 2 is responsible for representing, enforcing, and preserving University interests, policies and procedures to the crew, clients, sub-contractors, and duly authorized authorities as directed by the Master.
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Ensures all engineering systems aboard the F.G. Walton Smith are operational
2. Maintains and repairs essential mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing systems and structural integrity of the vessel
3. Oversees related work of such systems while vessel is in the shipyard or in port
4. Performs constant checks on pressures and temperatures, fuel consumption, fluid levels, and conditions of operating machinery ensuring safe, economical, and efficient operation.
5. Operates shipboard equipment such as pumps, winches, engines, hydraulic systems, refrigeration equipment, air compressors, cranes, sewage systems, watermakers, and piping/tank systems
6. Supervises individuals/ outside contractors performing engineering related tasks
7. Overseas fuel bunkering operations and machinery parts inventory
8. Maintains documentation and logbooks of engineering department activity
9. Analyzes needs, plans and performs preventive maintenance and upgrades for systems and successfully implements and administers the ship's planned maintenance.
10. Supervises and manages the crew mates who are assigned duties in the engineering spaces aboard the vessel
11. Develops and maintains a budget for the engineering department
12. Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent/relevant experience, certification or license
Experience:
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience required
Certification and Licensing:
Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
  • Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
  • Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
  • Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.


This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation's premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida.

With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

University of Miami logo

About University of Miami

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Miami, located in the beautiful Coral Gables, Florida, is a comprehensive, private research institution in the United States. Operating within the higher education industry, the institution offers a multitude of degree programs spanning over 180 majors and program through its 12 colleges. The University was founded in 1925 with the mission to disseminate knowledge, transform lives, and change the world - a mission it has held faithfully to this day. Notably, the University of Miami has gained global recognition for its commitment to research and innovation, with over $324 million in research and sponsored project funding awarded annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Coral Gables, FL, US

Year founded

1925