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Tugboat Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title Licensed Engineer - Meet the Engineers at McAllister Towing McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain James McAllister, great ...

This is a great opportunity for a tugboat Chief Engineer looking to transition to a shoreside position, but this is not required. The preferred candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience ...

Senior Security Engineer

$117K - $160K/yr

Familiarity with compliance automation platforms (Drata, Vanta, Tugboat, etc.) * Experience leading or owning SOC 2 / ISO 27001 audits * Background in application or cloud security engineering

McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain ... The Licensed Engineer is directly responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of all ...

Job Title Licensed Engineer - Meet the Engineers at McAllister Towing McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain James McAllister, great ...

McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain ... The Licensed Engineer is directly responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of all ...

$120 - $180/hr

This is a great opportunity for a tugboat Chief Engineer looking to transition to a shoreside position, but this is not required. The preferred candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience ...

Dredge Port Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

This is a great opportunity for a tugboat Chief Engineer looking to transition to a shoreside position, but this is not required. The preferred candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience ...

AB Tankerman

$1.3K - $1.8K/wk

Is, a sixth-generation family owned and operated tugboat company, managing a fleet of 24 ocean ... Bunkering and or Marine Engineering Experience preferred * Pass Pre-Employment physicals & drug ...

AB Tankerman

Chesapeake City, MD · On-site

$1.2K - $1.7K/wk

Is, a sixth-generation family owned and operated tugboat company, managing a fleet of 24 ocean ... Bunkering and or Marine Engineering Experience preferred * Pass Pre-Employment physicals & drug ...

... engineering spaces, crew quarters, heads, the galley, and all other areas of the boat and tow to ... Minimum - Master of Towing Vessels 200 ton * 3-5 years experience operating a tugboat * Must ...

Showing results 41-60

Tugboat Engineer information

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$59.5K

$111.6K

$203K

How much do tugboat engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for tugboat engineer in the United States is $111,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,500.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a tugboat engineer do?

A Tugboat Engineer is responsible for maintaining and repairing the mechanical and electrical systems on a tugboat. They ensure the engine, generators, pumps, and other essential equipment operate efficiently and safely. Regular inspections, troubleshooting, and emergency repairs are key parts of the job. Tugboat Engineers also monitor fuel and oil levels, maintain logs, and comply with maritime safety regulations. Their work is essential for keeping tugboats operational and assisting with towing and maneuvering larger vessels in harbors, rivers, or open waters.

What are the typical work hours and environment for a tugboat engineer?

Tugboat Engineers often work in rotating shifts, which may include nights, weekends, or extended periods at sea depending on the assignment and company. The work environment is primarily within the engine room of the vessel, which can be noisy, warm, and require vigilance for long stretches. Engineers collaborate closely with captains, deckhands, and other crew members to ensure the tug's machinery operates smoothly and safely. While schedules can be demanding, this structure allows for periods of time off between assignments and offers the opportunity to work in dynamic, team-oriented settings.

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

To thrive as a Tugboat Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of marine diesel engines, mechanical systems, and general vessel maintenance, often supported by a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with engineering endorsements. Familiarity with engine room monitoring systems, diagnostic tools, and standard safety protocols is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, clear communication, and attention to detail help set exceptional candidates apart. These skills are crucial to ensure the tugboat operates safely and efficiently while minimizing downtime and responding effectively to mechanical issues at sea.

More about Tugboat Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Tugboat Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Tugboat Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Tugboat Engineer jobs?

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What states have the most Tugboat Engineer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Tugboat Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,632 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Licensed Engineers

McAllister Towing

Staten Island, NY • On-site

$633/day

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Title

Licensed Engineer - Meet the Engineers at McAllister Towing

Job Description

McAllister Towing has provided superior tugboat service to New York Harbor since 1864, when Captain James McAllister, great-grandfather to current president Brian Buckley McAllister, bought his first sail lighter to carry cargo from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Today, McAllister's tugs provide a wide variety of services to the busy ports of New York and New Jersey, serving the most concentrated and affluent consumer market in the world and handling a significant part of the 16 million tons of cargo that passes through the port every year. In addition to ship docking services and general harbor assist work, New York based tugs are regularly employed in offshore towing along the entire East Coast.

McAllister is proud of its long history in New York Harbor and continues to provide its clients and customers with the highest quality service.

McAllister Towing of NY is seeking highly qualified Licensed Engineers. Duties and Responsibilities are outlined below:

The Licensed Engineer is an experienced skilled crewmember on board the vessel's Engineering Department. The Licensed Engineer is directly responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of all mechanical equipment on the boat. The Licensed Engineer is responsible and accountable to the Port Engineer. The Licensed Engineer must keep Captain apprised of issue(s) or his or her relief.

Responsible for the good condition and efficiency working of the entire machinery plant of the vessel including main engines, propulsion, and auxiliary machinery, all electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic machinery, steering machinery, and all associated components, deck machinery and any and all other valves, pipes, watertight integrity of the vessel.

The Licensed Engineer must maintain compliance with the quality, safety, and environmental management system as detailed in the McAllister Operations Manual. Supervises the procurement, loading, use and transfer and discharge of all potable water, ballast water, fuel oil, lube oil, ascertaining that said products are of proper quality and quantity when received on board and making the proper entries in the log and on the Fuel Transfer Certificate. Repairs all machinery and equipment onboard the vessel within his capacity and completes the daily engine log each day.

Required Skills

Valid Merchant Mariner's Credential. Valid TWIC Card Valid Engineering License Must pass pre-employment drug test. Must pass pre-employment physical.- A High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Physical Requirements

The unpredictable, ever-changing and inherently dangerous nature of tug and towing operations require the Engineer to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the vessel and crew. You must have the physical ability to operate heavy machinery. Repair work may involve assignments to work beneath machines and close quarters. Frequent stooping and bending required.

  • Adequate vision (i.e., absent any color blindness or impairment that cannot be corrected with prescription lenses).
  • Adequate hearing. Capable of walking and standing on wet surfaces for extended periods of time.
  • Able to handle heavy lines and operate heavy machinery.
  • Ability to climb a 12-foot ladder without assistance.
  • Ability to hoist oneself up and over a 12-inch wide, 6-foot-high barrier.
  • Sufficient strength to:
    • Lift 100 lbs. from deck to waist level.
    • Lift 50 lbs. from deck to shoulder level.
    • Lift 35 lbs. from deck to overhead; and
    • Pull (drag) 120 lbs. at least 20 feet.

Salary - Day Rate - starting at $633.00 a day for Licensed Engineers

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of McAllister Towing not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.