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Vessel Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

Duties of the Uncrewed Vessel Operator will include, but not be limited to, the following: The primary duty of a UxS Operator is to stand pilot watches with the responsibility of maintaining the ...

Lynker Corporation

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

Responsibilities Duties of the Uncrewed Vessel Operator will include, but not be limited to, the following: • The primary duty of a UxS Operator is to stand pilot watches with the responsibility of ...

The Midtown Group

Be Seen First

Administrative Assistant

Sterling, VA · On-site

$48K - $50K/yr

Administrative Assistant/Vessel Audit Coordinator Are you detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills? Join our team as a Vessel Audit Coordinator and play a vital role in ensuring smooth ...

City Cruises

Captain Exempt

Washington, DC

The captain is the supervisor of the vessel crew. The captain directs the crew on a day-to-day basis and must meet and maintain the minimum qualification requirements of the company and all ...

Hornblower

City Cruises DC - Deckhand

Washington, DC · On-site

$18.40/hr

Follow safety procedures in order to ensure the protection of passengers and vessel * Participate in routine safety drills to prepare for major incidents * Handle lines to moor vessels to pier

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Vessel information

See Washington salary details

$12

$28

$54

How much do vessel jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for vessel in Washington is $28.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.42 and $32.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Vessel vs Marine Engineer?

AspectVesselMarine Engineer
CredentialsSTCW certifications, maritime licensesSTCW certifications, engineering licenses
Work EnvironmentOnboard ships, maritime portsShip engine rooms, shipyards, maritime companies
Industry UsageShipping companies, cruise linesShip maintenance, propulsion systems

Vessels are the ships themselves, while Marine Engineers are professionals responsible for maintaining and repairing the ship's engines and systems. Marine Engineers work primarily onboard vessels or in shipyards, ensuring the vessel's operational safety and efficiency. Both roles require maritime certifications, but Vessels refer to the ships, and Marine Engineers refer to the technical personnel who keep them running.

What is a vessel?

In the maritime industry, a 'vessel' refers to any type of watercraft or ship that is used to transport goods, people, or perform specialized tasks on water. Vessels can range from small boats to large cargo ships, oil tankers, fishing boats, and passenger ships. The term is broadly used to cover all floating structures that are capable of navigation and are involved in commercial, industrial, or recreational activities on the water.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working aboard a vessel, and how can they be managed?

Working aboard a vessel often presents unique challenges such as extended periods away from home, adapting to confined living quarters, and managing irregular work shifts. Crew members must also be prepared to respond to emergencies and adjust to changing weather conditions at sea. Successful professionals cope by fostering strong teamwork, maintaining open communication, and participating in regular safety drills and training. Building resilience and practicing self-care are essential for maintaining mental and physical well-being while at sea.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vessel operator?

To thrive as a Vessel Operator, you need a solid understanding of maritime navigation, safety regulations, and vessel handling, typically supported by relevant maritime certifications such as STCW or a Merchant Mariner Credential. Familiarity with electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), GPS, radar, and communication equipment is essential. Strong situational awareness, problem-solving, and teamwork skills make a Vessel Operator exceptional in high-pressure environments. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and compliant vessel operations, minimizing risks and optimizing maritime transport.
What are the most commonly searched types of Vessel jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Vessel jobs in Washington are:
Vessel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vessel job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,068 per year, or $28.9 per hour.

Uncrewed Vessel Operator

Lynker Corporation

Leesburg, VA • On-site

$45K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

The mission of Lynker Corporation is to deliver innovative solutions to support global environmental security and economic prosperity as a trusted partner to governments, communities, and industry. With the growing demand for offshore energy expansion, marine natural resource management, and coastal resilience to environmental threats, there has been a need for more advanced and efficient hydrographic mapping systems. Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the expansion of mapping across the US Exclusive Economic Zone using Uncrewed Systems (UxS), which include Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV), Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUV), and Underwater Gliders. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker is leading the way in providing operational, logistical, and training support for Uncrewed Systems.

We are seeking individuals who can help our team support our contract with NOAA Uncrewed Marine Systems Division (UMSD) and other partners in UxS Industry. The Uncrewed Systems Operator must have experience operating hydrographic survey or oceanographic research technologies. This position involves travelling for long durations at sea aboard vessels or to Remote Operations Centers (ROC). A strong background in marine science, information technology, or mechanical engineering is desirable. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team and working with advanced marine technologies, please review the Responsibilities, Qualifications, and Requirements for this position.

This position is contingent upon contract award.


Duties of the Uncrewed Vessel Operator will include, but not be limited to, the following:

The primary duty of a UxS Operator is to stand pilot watches with the responsibility of maintaining the safety of the public and of the vessel while at sea under semi-autonomous operations.
8-12hr night or day watches based in a regional Remote Operating Center, or from a host vessel at sea
Ensure the safety of navigation and situational awareness of the vehicle during operations
Additional duties include monitoring vessel status feedback, telemetry stability and configuration, and basic data acquisition control
Operators are responsible for troubleshooting technical and software issues, and relaying that information to the watch supervisor.
Proper record keeping during watches and in diagnostic scenarios


The Uncrewed Vessel Operator selected should have the following:

Associates Degree or higher in at least one of the following: Marine Technology, Marine Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Support operations at sea on board NOAA vessels, or at a regional remote operation center, for up to 30 consecutive days at a time
Ability to lift >45 lb. objects, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces.
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in an interagency atmosphere.
Yearly travel 50% or more

The Ideal Uncrewed Vessel Operator will have the Following:

Experience operating USVs, UUVs, or Underwater Gliders is desired.
Experience in boat handling and seamanship: licensed boater or captain is desired.
Experience implementing COLREGs into the safety of navigation of UxS.

Experience with operating satellite, cellular, and RF telemetry systems
Experience with maritime situational awareness using AIS,FLIR, ECDIS, LiDAR, and RADAR.
Experience with data acquisition using Multibeam Sonars, Side Scan Sonars, and acoustic systems is desired.
Experience with marine positioning systems using GNSS, INS/IMU, or USBL.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

  • Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
  • Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
  • Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
  • Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
  • Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
  • Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
  • Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

 Fraud Alert: Recruitment Scam Warning: Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.

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