1

Ship Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university or the ... of our ships fleet-wide. * Must display basic knowledge of regulations governing the Marine ...

Founding Forward Deployed Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$141K/yr

As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you sit at the intersection of engineering, operations, and customer partnership - embedding directly with CPG ops teams to map how their wholesale operation actually ...

Read and interpret general instructions, blueprints, and engineering drawings * Select appropriate ... Ship Fitter experience in a shipyard environment (required) * Experience working with cast and ...

Apply Early

next page

Showing results 1-20

Ship Engineer information

See salary details

$94.5K

$130.5K

How much do ship engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 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 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $128,141 per year, or $61.6 per hour.
Ship Manager

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Royal Caribbean Group rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 9 rated cruise lines


Job description

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our incredible team of employees at Royal Caribbean Group. We are proud to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.
We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands - including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises - the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests.
Royal Caribbean Group's Global Marine Operations Team has an exciting career opportunity for a full time Ship Manager reporting to the Director, Fleet Technical.
This is a land-based position that will work onsite in Miami, Florida.
Position Summary:
This position represents both the interest of the vessel and the interest of the Shoreside Marine Operations department as the primary person for a specific selection of vessels. The Marine Operations Manager is the key contact for day-today operations, focused on the safe, compliant and efficient operations of the vessel within the Maritime scope. The Marine Operations Manager's responsibilities span not only the safety, compliance and reliability elements of the vessel, but also the crew and financial aspects of the daily operations. This position also serves as the responsible person for the interaction with Facilities Management
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for overall day-to-day management of assigned vessels within the Marine Operations Department.
  • Support onboard repair and maintenance and oversee dry-dock planning and operational budgets of the Deck and Engine Departments in coordination with assigned technical Superintendents to ensure approval from the Flag state, Port State, Classification Society, or other government bodies for any changes to the construction or equipment onboard.
  • Maintain frequent communication with the Marine Technical organization, to assist in the selection and installation of machinery, equipment and safety appliances to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, safety and environmental policies from governing agencies.
  • Monitors vessel compliance with Class / Government Authorities requirements and follows up to insure the timely and complete clearance of Conditions of Class / Conditions of Authority or any other outstanding conditions as may be issued.
  • Follow up with technical department to technically related incidents and damages are properly investigated and reported, and that damage claims are validated and settled.
  • Participate in succession planning, training, evaluation and development for all relevant shipboard personnel. Interview and approve, as well as, give recommendations to Human Resources Department regarding education and training of ship engineers.
  • Cooperate with Accommodation Maintenance department and New Building for projects and operational issues impacting the Hotel and Marine areas of responsibility.
  • Performs other duties as required This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

Financial Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the preparation of annual budgets for each ship.
  • This is to be carried out in cooperation with the ships Management Team, Shore side operations management and Financial department for approval.
  • Evaluates monthly and quarterly operation/financial results, and recommends adjustments to plans/forecasts for the ships.
  • Handles the guarantee process with NB/ Yard through-to-completion for all vessels introduced into the RCG fleet.
  • Creates, manages, executes the dry dock plan from start to finish, including the dry dock budget.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent preferred
  • Relevant experience as Naval Architect or Marine/Mechanical Engineer and/or experienced Chief Engineer with a shipping company, classification society.
  • Proven ability to work in a fast paced environment with multiple projects and priorities. Proven ability to manage the financial aspects of the assigned function, including the successful identification of expense reduction through cost efficiencies.
  • Chief Engineers Diploma with minimum 3 years experience on Diesel Engines and Steam Plant.
  • Three years (3) minimum experience on vessels with PODs / Azipods as a propulsion system .
  • Must be well versed in areas of Maritime engineering and be familiar with various operating systems onboard (HVAC, Electrical, Mechanical, Engine and Powerplant, etc.).
  • Must have the ability to read and understand technical drawings.
  • Work closely with representatives from the various classification societies and governing agencies regulating the operation of our ships fleet-wide.
  • Must display basic knowledge of regulations governing the Marine industry under IMO, such as ISM, SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW, and understand how to access information when required.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with multiple projects and priorities.
  • Must have strong supervisory skills and must possess the ability to communicate at the highest level of the organization.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate in a multicultural environment with all levels of employees and management.
  • Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.

Physical Demands
  • Ability to sit, and stand, write, review and type reports, compile data, operate a computer, communicate, listen, and assess information.
  • Ability to travel to other office locations and may lift, push, pull or move 10-15 pounds.
  • Ability to occasionally walk to the dock, ascend and descend the vessel.
  • Visual requirement includes distant, close and color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!
It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

What Royal Caribbean Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom