Marine Engineering Technician

Freeman Boatworks•Moncks Corner, SC

17h

About The Position

At Freeman Boatworks, the Marine Engineering Technician helps build high-performance offshore fishing catamarans by bridging engineering and production. The role combines hands-on production work, mechanical troubleshooting, prototyping, and sea-trial testing. The technician works primarily on the assembly floor installing, testing, and refining boat systems, and on the water conducting design validation and performance testing. The technician serves as a technical link between the Engineering team and shop-floor assembly line, supporting production technicians, resolving assembly challenges, and helping integrate design changes. The role also involves identifying manufacturability issues, documenting feedback and test results, and partnering with engineers to improve production processes and product performance.

Requirements

At least 3 years of hands-on experience in marine technician work, boat manufacturing, marine rigging, or marine service engineering.
Strong experience operating, maneuvering, and trailering multi-engine center console boats or large vessels in offshore or coastal conditions.
Proficiency in marine mechanical systems, outboard engine setup, marine hydraulics, fuel systems, and marine electrical wiring and diagnostics, including NMEA 2000 and ABYC standards.
Hands-on experience with composite materials such as fiberglass and resin, marine hardware installation, power tools, and shop equipment.
Ability to communicate engineering concepts to shop technicians and convey production-floor challenges to design engineers.
Ability to work on your feet in a manufacturing shop-floor environment, lift 50+ lbs, bend or crawl into tight bilge and console compartments, and work in outdoor marine environments.
Successful completion of a background check and drug screening is required for employment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ABYC standards and NMEA installations.
Experience with Yamaha and Mercury outboard systems and diagnostic tools.
Experience with Garmin, Simrad, and Furuno marine electronics systems.
Experience reading engineering CAD models, blueprints, or wiring schematics.
Prior experience in high-end offshore center console or catamaran production.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical point of contact on the production floor, helping shop technicians interpret engineering drawings, resolve assembly challenges, and implement design changes.
Perform hands-on assembly, mechanical and electrical installation, retrofits, and repairs on fiberglass catamarans during prototype builds and standard production.
Identify manufacturability issues, electrical and mechanical bottlenecks, and assembly defects; partner with engineers on practical, scalable solutions.
Rig, test, and troubleshoot marine systems, including outboard engines, helm electronics and navigation systems, 12V/24V DC and AC electrical systems, plumbing, livewells, and steering systems.
Document shop-floor engineering feedback, prototype deviations, and test results to support updates to Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Conduct design validation and performance testing on the water.