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Ship Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

GDIT

Ship Fitter

Norfolk, VA

$26.35 - $35.65/hr

Yes Ship Fitter This is a waterfront shipboard construction and re-modernization position, working ... supporting engineering operations. Location: On Customer Site. US Citizenship Required.

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Ship Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$93.7K

$129.4K

How much do ship engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for ship engineer in Virginia is $127,042.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,900.00 and $127,900.00 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.

More about Ship Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Ship Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Ship Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ship Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Ship Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Ship Engineer jobs in VA? For Ship Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Ship Engineer jobs near you
Waterfront Engineer with Security Clearance

Waterfront Engineer with Security Clearance

MANTECH

Norfolk, VA • On-site

$124K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago

ManTech rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 209 rated software companies

Job description

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Waterfront Engineer to join our team in Norfolk, 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. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: * Provide on-site support (physical presence) in all Fleet Concentration Areas (FCA) to maintain relationships and communications pipelines with Regional Maintenance Center (RMC), Type Commander (TYCOM), Fleet and numbered fleet commander staff in each FCA.
* Manage Baseline Availability Work Package (BAWP) for assigned surface ships throughout the recurring deployment, repair, and training cycles
* Conduct ship visits to assess, evaluate, and monitor key platform and system condition and maintenance issues.
* Collaborating with government personnel and stakeholders to provide engineering oversight for system upgrades and modernization initiatives
* Generate a BAWP Tracker containing all Mandatory Technical Requirements (MTR) status: document and report risk to MTR completion. Organize and execute milestone stakeholder meetings and participate in applicable Maintenance Team meetings.
* Represent the Class Maintenance Plan with the Maintenance Team and stakeholders advocating for the planning, execution, and completion of all MTRs.
* Attend and assist with off ship maintenance team meetings such as Planning Board for Maintenance (PB4M), Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Availability Planning, and Total Ships Readiness Training (TSRA) to enhance tracking the life cycle health of each surface ship. Minimum qualifications: * 7+ years of Naval Ship experience
* Direct experience related to U.S. Navy surface ship operations or maintenance planning
* Experience drafting briefs and presentations related to maintenance or modernization of US Navy ships
* Experience with governing documents related to husbanding of ships throughout a maintenance cycle and Navy Correspondence
* Proficient with Microsoft Office Applications (Power Point, Word, Excel) Preferred Qualifications: * 10+ years of Naval Ship experience
* Planning, execution or management of US Navy Ship maintenance, onboard US Navy Ships, at a Regional Maintenance Center or US Navy Planning Activity
* Conducting work specification or technical review in planning and execution of depot level maintenance
* Familiarity with MS Project
* Knowledgeable skills with Navy Maintenance databases (VSB, NMD, 3-M, M&SWP, NDE) to plan, track and review maintenance and maintenance scheduling Clearance Requirements: * Must be a US Citizen and possess a current or active Secret Security Clearance Physical Requirements: * Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%.
* Must be able to visit ships and shipyards
* Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
* Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
* Often positions self to maintain computers in the lab, including under the desks and in the server closet.
* Frequently communicates with co-workers, management and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

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