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Shipyard Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Staffing

Shipyard Area Manager

National City, CA · On-site

Shipyard Area Superintendent - Shipboard Operations & Repair Location: San Diego, CA (Shipyard ... Provide structured progress reports, lessons learned, and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to ...

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Shipyard Engineer information

See California salary details

$93.3K

$128.8K

How much do shipyard engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for shipyard engineer in California is $126,463.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Shipyard Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectShipyard EngineerMarine Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in shipbuilding or naval architectureEngineering degree, marine engineering certifications, STCW certification
Work EnvironmentShipyards, construction sites, design officesShips, ports, offshore platforms, maritime vessels
Employer & IndustryShipbuilding companies, naval architecture firmsShipping companies, maritime industry, offshore firms

Shipyard Engineers focus on the design, construction, and repair of ships within shipyards, often working on new builds or refurbishments. Marine Engineers primarily work on the operation, maintenance, and repair of ships and maritime equipment at sea or in port. Both roles require engineering credentials and involve working in maritime-related environments, but their daily tasks and work settings differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by Shipyard Engineers when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Shipyard Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges such as coordinating timelines, managing limited resources, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Effective communication with cross-functional teams—including naval architects, production staff, and contractors—is crucial to prevent delays and resolve technical issues quickly. Prioritizing tasks, using project management tools, and maintaining clear documentation help Shipyard Engineers stay organized and meet project deadlines efficiently.

What does a shipyard engineer do?

A shipyard engineer is responsible for designing, overseeing, and managing the construction, repair, and maintenance of ships and marine structures. They work closely with naval architects, technicians, and project managers, often using tools like CAD software and adhering to safety and regulatory standards. Their role ensures that vessels are built efficiently, safely, and to specifications.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Leadership roles like engineering managers or principal engineers also often reach or exceed this salary level, particularly in high-demand industries or large organizations.

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

To thrive as a Shipyard Engineer, you need a solid background in marine engineering, structural design, and project management, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or naval architecture. Experience with CAD software, ship design tools, and familiarity with maritime safety regulations and certifications such as OSHA or STCW are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you excel in coordinating complex shipbuilding projects. These competencies ensure shipyard operations run efficiently, meet safety standards, and deliver quality vessels on time.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most shipyard engineers do not earn this level of salary, highly specialized senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles in large companies or complex projects can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, often including bonuses and profit sharing. Such compensation is rare and typically associated with executive-level positions or highly niche expertise in engineering fields.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced technical skills, management responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries.
What are popular job titles related to Shipyard Engineer jobs in California? For Shipyard Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Shipyard Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Shipyard Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Shipyard Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Shipyard Engineer job openings:
Shipyard Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shipyard Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,463 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Shipyard Area Manager

Shipyard Area Manager

LEAD Staffing

National City, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted yesterday

Job description

Shipyard Area Superintendent – Shipboard Operations & Repair

Location: San Diego, CA (Shipyard)

Position Type: Full-Time

Pay Range: Competitive Salary (DOE) + Benefits Package

Shift: 1st Shift (Flexibility required for shipboard production schedules)

SPECIAL NOTE: This role requires direct experience working inside a shipyard environment on naval or commercial vessel repairs/new construction. Candidates without marine/shipyard background will not be considered.

ABOUT LEAD STAFFING
LEAD Staffing is a national leader in marine, shipyard, and commercial trade staffing. We partner with top-tier shipyards, defense contractors, and industrial operators to place highly skilled craftspeople and operational leaders into critical roles across the country.

POSITION OVERVIEW
We are seeking an experienced Shipyard Area Superintendent to oversee ship construction and repair operations within assigned shipboard zones at a major shipyard facility in San Diego, CA.
In this role, you will be directly accountable for managing shipboard production trade execution, subcontractor coordination, safety compliance, quality assurance, schedule adherence, and cost efficiency. As the primary operational lead for your assigned vessel area, you will bridge the gap between skilled production trades, ship managers, planning, engineering, and customer representatives (including NAVSEA and Ship’s Force).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Shipboard Production Leadership: Oversee daily trade activities, sequencing, and workflow in assigned shipboard zones; ensure work is completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
  • Safety & Environmental Standards: Manage ship-wide safety, housekeeping, and environmental compliance; ensure strict adherence to OSHA Maritime and shipyard safety protocols.
  • Trade & Subcontractor Coordination: Resolve conflicting trade priorities, coordinate resource allocation with Trade General Supervisors, and direct marine subcontractor activities.
  • Schedule & Budget Control: Monitor project milestones, anticipate schedule/budget deviations, and implement proactive corrective action plans.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Quality Assurance, Planning, Contracts, Material Control, Warehousing, Test & Trials, and Engineering to maintain project momentum.
  • NAVSEA & Regulatory Compliance: Understand and administer NAVSEA Standard Items (for repair availabilities), WAFs, and LOTO; interface directly with customer representatives and regulatory bodies.
  • Reporting & Process Improvement: Provide structured progress reports, lessons learned, and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to senior leadership to drive productivity improvements on ongoing and follow-on hulls.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS (Shipyard Experience Mandatory)
  • Mandatory Field Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of supervisory or operations experience directly within a major shipbuilding or ship repair facility (U.S. Navy surface/sub surface, commercial repair, or defense shipyard).
  • Technical Maritime Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of ship systems, trade responsibilities (welders, pipefitters, electricians, shipfitters), line management, and shipboard repair practices.
  • NAVSEA & Vessel Standards: Practical, working understanding of NAVSEA Standard Items, Work Authorization Forms (WAFs), and shipboard Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) processes.
  • Education: High School Diploma or GED required; formal maritime academy, trade school, or U.S. Navy/Coast Guard background is a strong plus.
  • Communication & Leadership: Excellent written/verbal communication skills with proven success writing progress reports and managing trade conflicts under tight availability timelines.
  • Shipyard Access: Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and obtain/maintain required shipyard access credentials (e.g., DBIDS / SECNAV).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • Must be able to spend up to 60% of time in an outdoor shipyard environment across all weather conditions.
  • Capable of climbing scaffolding, stairs, and vertical ladders; transiting through manholes () and tight, confined, or congested shipboard spaces.
  • Comfortable working at elevated heights (12'+) aboard vessels under construction or repair.
  • Physical agility to bend, stoop, crouch, reach, and lift/maneuver on uneven surfaces.
  • Ability to work in noisy production environments (requiring standard PPE including steel-toe boots, hard hat, safety glasses, and hearing protection).
BENEFITS
  • Health insurance
  • 6 Paid holidays
  • 40 Hours of Paid sick leave
*The benefits listed above are subject to eligibility requirements*

To see a list of more available jobs, please visit www.leadstaff.com/jobs/

HOW TO APPLY
Ready to lead major shipboard operations in San Diego?

Call: (619) 468-2372
Email Resume: leadmarine@leadstaff.com

Apply Online: www.leadstaff.com

ABOUT LEAD STAFFING
Lead Staffing, established in 2010, specializes in Construction, Industrial and Marine Staffing of Skilled Tradespeople throughout the United States of America. Our goal is to work with regional and national contractors that share our commitment towards safety and to provide long term rewarding work assignments for our valued employees.

LEAD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

LEAD is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a growing national company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Company Description

“At LEAD, your career is our top priority. As a leading recruiting partner, we're dedicated to connecting talented job seekers with exciting opportunities and rewarding careers across a variety of dynamic industries. Our team takes the time to understand our employee's unique skills, experience, and professional goals. We then leverage our extensive network and industry expertise to match them with the perfect fit - whether that's a short-term project, long-term contract, or a permanent role. Employee's don't just settle for just any job - they partner with LEAD and unlock a world of rewarding possibilities for themselves. Apply today and let us help you find the perfect fit.”