C Mechanical Field Engineer – Offshore Wind SOV Program

Job Overview

Background check, US Citizenship, and drug screening are requirements for this position. Travel is 90%.

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding – Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Supports the CREST Wind Service Operations Vessel (SOV) for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Program.

Current SOV is a Jones Act‑compliant HAV 832 design being constructed for the Crowley‑ESVAGT CREST Wind joint venture and will support Siemens Gamesa offshore wind operations off the Virginia coast.

The Senior Mechanical Field Engineer provides hands‑on waterfront engineering support during vessel construction, mechanical completion, commissioning, testing, and delivery activities aboard the SOV program.

This is not a traditional office‑based design engineering role; it is heavily field‑oriented and requires daily interaction with production trades, commissioning teams, ABS surveyors, USCG representatives, subcontractors, and vessel management teams.

The engineer will split time between onboard vessel support and engineering office coordination while serving as a liaison between engineering and production teams to resolve technical issues, support commissioning execution, validate system readiness, and maintain schedule progress.

The successful candidate must understand how marine systems are physically installed, tested, integrated, and operated aboard complex vessels.

• Commissioning Oversight & Coordination
  • Support mechanical system turnover and commissioning readiness.
  • Coordinate testing and operational verification activities.
  • Assist commissioning teams with troubleshooting and issue resolution.
  • Validate system completion status prior to testing.
  • Coordinate mechanical test boundaries and lockout/tagout activities.
  • Support dock trials and sea trial preparation.
• Engineering‑to‑Production Liaison Support
  • Serve as the daily interface between engineering teams and waterfront production groups.
  • Resolve installation conflicts and field engineering issues.
  • Support clarification of drawings, specifications, and work packages.
  • Coordinate technical responses to production questions.
  • Verify field conditions and support as‑built validation activities.
• Status Reporting & Technical Problem Resolution
  • Provide daily updates to engineering and program leadership.
  • Identify schedule risks and technical obstacles early.
  • Support deficiency tracking and closeout efforts.
  • Coordinate corrective actions with production, vendors, and subcontractors.
  • Assist with turnover documentation and final delivery readiness.

• Mechanical Systems Integration
  • Support installation and commissioning of propulsion systems, thrusters, auxiliary systems, fuel systems, cooling systems, HVAC systems, hydraulic systems, offshore support equipment, pumps, and piping systems.
  • Verify installation compliance with ABS and USCG requirements.
  • Conduct onboard inspections and ship checks.
• Commissioning & Testing Support
  • Support mechanical test execution and operational verification.
  • Assist with pre‑functional testing, functional testing, integrated systems testing, dock trials, and sea trials.
  • Coordinate with vendors and OEM representatives during startup activities.
  • Track deficiencies and support closure efforts.
• Production & Waterfront Coordination
  • Work directly with ship superintendents, craft labor, production management, test teams, planning teams, and vendors.
  • Help sequence work to support commissioning schedules.
  • Resolve technical conflicts impacting production flow.
• Regulatory & Quality Support
  • Support ABS inspections and regulatory reviews.
  • Verify work aligns with ABS requirements, USCG regulations, vessel technical specifications, and offshore wind operational requirements.
  • Support turnover package reviews and completion documentation.

Daily onboard vessel access required. The role involves:

• Climbing ladders.
• Traversing unfinished ship spaces.
• Entering confined spaces.
• Working in industrial shipyard environments.
• Combination office and waterfront work environment.
• Extended work hours may be required during critical commissioning periods.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum 5–10 years supporting vessel construction, ship repair, commissioning, and marine system integration.
• Strong understanding of marine mechanical systems, shipyard production operations, waterfront execution, and commissioning processes.
• Familiarity with ABS, USCG, and DP systems preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, technical manuals, and ship specifications.
• Strong troubleshooting and coordination skills.

• Offshore wind vessel experience.
• DP vessel experience.
• Experience supporting SOV, OSV, offshore construction, and complex commercial vessel builds.
• Previous shipyard waterfront support experience.