Chief Engineer

Not Everyone Is Cut Out to Be a Chief Engineer on Tugs – That’s Exactly the Point. Svitzer is looking for a Chief Engineer to join our London operation.

This is not a supervisory role from the sidelines. As Chief Engineer, you are hands‑on, accountable and ultimately responsible for keeping powerful tug vessels operational in a demanding, safety‑critical environment where downtime is not an option. If you want real ownership, technical challenge and responsibility, this is the role where it counts.

• Maintaining and operating high‑power tug machinery in a live port environment
• Diagnosing faults and fixing problems under pressure
• Owning the condition, safety and readiness of your engine room
• Supporting the Master and crew to keep the tug operational at all times
• Working as part of a small, professional crew where trust and competence matter

Because tug engineering should be done properly.

• 1 week on / 1 week off rotation – work hard, then properly switch off
• Modern, well‑maintained fleet – no corner‑cutting, no neglected machinery
• A company that expects high standards – and backs you to meet them
• Local technical support – close, capable, responsive

• Competitive Salary of £68,440.88 per annum
• Permanent, Time‑for‑Time contract
• Pension matched up to 10%
• Life Coverage (4× pensionable salary) and Single Private Medical Insurance
• Uniforms and PPE provided
• Employee Assistance Programme

• Minimum STCW III/3 Chief Engineer
• Valid ENG1 and STCW certification (minimum 6 months validity)
• Strong fault‑finding, maintenance and problem‑solving skills
• Harbour towage or small‑vessel experience preferred
• A professional mindset and pride in safe, reliable engineering
• The right to live and work in the UK

This is a senior engineering role for someone who wants responsibility, challenge and influence – not just a job title. If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.