Barge Port Engineer

Kirby Corporation•Pittsburgh, PA

14h

About The Position

The Barge Port Engineer is a shoreside position focused primarily on administrative oversight of maintenance and repair for barge equipment. The role includes dockside problem-solving and coordination of scheduled and unscheduled repairs, including major shipyard work. It does not require serving as a crew member operating a specific vessel. The position coordinates maintenance and repair work, supports barge reliability and regulatory compliance, manages projects and budgets, and works with Port Captains, Operations, Safety teams, and third-party vendors. Duties take place primarily in an office, dock, or shop environment, with occasional boarding of boats and barges. The standard schedule is five days per week, eight hours per day, with an on-call rotation as scheduled. Periodic overnight travel to different regions may be necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 2 years of related experience in the barge and marine transportation industry.
TWIC.
Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment.
Solid planning and budgeting skills.
Good organizational and time-management skills.
Strong negotiation skills.
Basic computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Ability to operate a company or personal vehicle for business use.
Ability to climb aboard and move around vessels, including climbing 90-degree vertical ladders.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist level and occasionally exert push/pull forces of 50–60 pounds.
Ability to perform frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, lifting, carrying, reaching, and handling with arms, hands, and fingers.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and put on a safety vest within 2 minutes with minimum effort.
Ability to walk the length of a 500-foot barge tow and return to inspect barge conditions.
Ability to commute distances as required.
Ability to work in conditions that may include intense heat, freezing cold, rain, ice, sleet, and other environmental conditions.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and oversee barge maintenance and repairs to ensure operational readiness and compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Diagnose and resolve mechanical, structural, and system issues promptly.
Conduct routine inspections to identify potential issues and minimize downtime.
Ensure maintenance and repair work meets company policies and regulatory requirements, including USCG, ABS, OSHA, and environmental regulations.
Maintain accurate documentation of inspections, repairs, and compliance certifications.
Monitor and verify the quality of work performed by third-party vendors.
Prepare cost estimates for barge repairs and maintenance projects.
Ensure work is completed within approved budgets and timelines.
Manage barge modification and upgrade projects from planning through completion.
Prepare detailed project reports and maintain progress tracking.
Work with Port Captains, Operations, and Safety teams to support barge reliability and compliance.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to support fleet operations.
Respond promptly to mechanical failures or incidents and coordinate necessary repairs.
Investigate incidents and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
Ensure maintenance personnel are properly trained on barge systems and safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.