Entry Level Field Engineer

Senesco Marine•North Kingstown, RI

About The Position

The Entry-Level Shipyard Field Engineer supports the construction of commercial vessels through hands-on collaboration with Engineering, Production, Planning, Quality, Safety, Purchasing, subcontractors, and craft personnel. This developmental role is intended for a recent graduate or a person currently enrolled in engineering studies who wants practical exposure to shipbuilding, including fabrication, assembly, erection, outfitting, testing, commissioning, and vessel delivery. The engineer helps translate design information into field work, documents actual conditions, addresses routine technical questions under supervision, and develops the judgment needed to support safe, quality, and timely construction. The position involves regular work in active production areas and direct observation and participation in shipyard activities. The employee follows company procedures, shipyard safety requirements, quality controls, contractual specifications, and applicable regulatory or classification requirements. Duties may also include other engineering and construction-support work assigned to build shipbuilding knowledge and support project execution.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university program, or current enrollment in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a closely related engineering discipline.
Practical experience, which may be demonstrated through a college co-op, internship, senior design project, laboratory work, machine or fabrication shop experience, construction, industrial maintenance, military technical service, electrical or mechanical installation, marine work, or similar hands-on experience.
Ability to read and understand basic engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, dimensions, and technical instructions.
Basic understanding of mechanical or electrical systems and demonstrated interest in learning vessel construction and shipyard operations.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to communicate clearly with engineers, supervisors, craft personnel, vendors, inspectors, and project leadership.
Ability to organize multiple assignments, maintain accurate records, follow issues through to closure, and ask for guidance when required.
Willingness to spend substantial time in active production areas and learn through direct observation and field participation.
Correctable vision to 20/40; contact lenses are not permitted in certain production-area positions.
Ability to pass the Ishihara test for color blindness and read and understand safety symbols and colors.
Ability to stand, sit, walk, squat, kneel, stoop, and climb stairs or a ladder; good balance and ability to stand on each foot for at least 30 seconds.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as determined by a Job Hazard Analysis, which may include a respirator, hardhat, face shield, safety goggles, steel-toe safety shoes, safety harness, gloves, or other protective clothing.
Ability to work in different areas and environments, both inside and outside buildings or structures, and at a pace consistent with company deadlines.
Report accidents, injuries, equipment damage, and broken or misused tools to the appropriate supervisor or department.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AutoCAD, 3D modeling, electrical design tools, or similar engineering software.
Knowledge or experience in shipyard construction, fabrication, maintenance, installation, or marine work.
Hands-on experience through a co-op, internship, senior design project, laboratory, shop, construction, industrial maintenance, military technical service, or related work.

Responsibilities

Support production personnel by interpreting drawings, specifications, bills of material, vendor information, and work packages under the direction of experienced engineering and production leaders.
Observe and learn shipbuilding sequence and trade interfaces, including structural fabrication, module assembly, vessel erection, piping, electrical installation, machinery, outfitting, testing, and commissioning.
Conduct field walkdowns to verify installed conditions, identify interferences or discrepancies, document conditions, and communicate findings to the responsible supervisor or engineer.
Assist with routine design-to-field questions and request clarification when design intent, dimensions, routing, material, or access is unclear.
Mark up drawings and maintain red lines for as-built documentation; support controlled incorporation of approved field changes into project records.
Assist in planning system routing and equipment installation to coordinate structure, piping, electrical, ventilation, machinery, and access requirements.
Support preparation and maintenance of work packages, material lists, installation sketches, test documentation, punch lists, deficiency lists, and turnover records.
Track assigned technical issues, drawing revisions, material needs, vendor questions, and field actions through closure.
Participate in production, planning, engineering, quality-control, and project meetings, providing status updates based on current field information.
Help verify that materials, equipment, and components match approved drawings, specifications, purchase information, and intended installation locations.
Assist with inspections, testing, commissioning, acceptance activities, and punch-list closure in coordination with Quality and project leadership.
Identify potential improvements to constructability, sequencing, access, productivity, quality, and rework prevention, and elevate recommendations through the proper approval process.
Learn and follow company procedures, shipyard safety requirements, quality-system controls, contractual specifications, and applicable regulatory or classification requirements.
Maintain organized field notes, photographs, calculations, logs, and engineering records according to document-control requirements.
Perform other assigned engineering and construction-support duties.