Marine Chief Engineer

Marine Chief Engineer

The Marine Chief Engineer's primary function is to ensure the safe, reliable, compliant, and mission-ready operation of all engineering systems aboard FIO research vessel(s), both in port and at sea.

This position serves as the senior engineering representative aboard the vessel and is responsible for routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance of vessel propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, damage control, potable water, sewage, and auxiliary systems.

In addition to technical repair and maintenance duties, the Marine Chief Engineer is responsible for significant administrative and management functions, including preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, equipment records, repair planning, spare parts and inventory control, shipyard work list development, regulatory inspection support, safety compliance, vendor coordination, and training or mentoring assigned engineering personnel.

The position works closely with the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, Assistant Engineer, deck department, science users, contractors, and shoreside support personnel to ensure FIO vessels are prepared to safely and effectively support research, education, outreach, and marine operations. This position will report directly to the Marine Captain I of their respective vessel on the USF St. Petersburg campus.

Repair, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate main diesel engines, ship service generators, air compressors, pumps, motors, piping systems, and other mechanical equipment aboard marine vessels at sea and in port. Install, repair, and maintain vessel systems including, but not limited to, hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, potable water, sewage, bilge, steering, auxiliary, and damage-control systems. Perform routine shipboard maintenance in port, including preservation, de-scaling, painting, cleaning, and operation of portable hand and power tools.

Ensure engineering spaces and equipment are maintained in a safe, orderly, and mission-ready condition.

Manage engineering department administrative functions, including preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, machinery records, fuel and fluid records, equipment operating hours, repair history, deferred maintenance items, inspection findings, and corrective actions. Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules based on manufacturer guidance, regulatory requirements, vessel operating hours, calendar intervals, and equipment condition. Maintain accurate documentation suitable for management review, audits, inspections, surveys, and long-term vessel lifecycle planning.

Plan, coordinate, and support vessel repair periods, shipyard work, dry dock maintenance, contractor support, and between-cruise maintenance availabilities. Identify engineering deficiencies, prepare repair recommendations, assist with work lists and scopes of work, support procurement of parts and services, coordinate vendor access, monitor contractor work, and verify completion of repairs before equipment is returned to service. Provide technical input to the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, and other shoreside personnel regarding vessel readiness, repair priorities, lifecycle replacement needs, and operational limitations.

Train, mentor, and provide daily direction to the Assistant Engineer and other assigned engineering personnel. Assign engineering tasks, monitor work quality, support qualification development, and ensure personnel understand vessel-specific systems, safe work practices, machinery-space procedures, casualty response, and emergency engineering operations. Promote professional standards, accountability, and safety within the engineering department.

Support regulatory compliance, inspections, surveys, and safety management requirements related to vessel engineering systems. Assist with U.S. Coast Guard, ABS/class, load line, environmental, university, and FIO compliance activities as applicable. Maintain or support maintenance of required engineering records, technical manuals, inspection documentation, certificates, placards, and equipment records. Track deficiencies and corrective actions related to engineering systems, safety equipment, pollution prevention, and emergency readiness.

Manage shipboard engineering inventory, spare parts, tools, lubricants, filters, belts, hoses, fittings, fluids, hazardous materials, and mission-critical consumables. Identify minimum stock levels, submit purchase requests, provide technical specifications for procurement, track usage of supplies, and ensure parts and materials are properly stored, labeled, and available to support vessel readiness. Support budget planning by identifying recurring maintenance costs, critical spares, anticipated repairs, and lifecycle replacement needs.

Assist the Captain, Mate, deck department, and science party with routine vessel…