Maritime Engineer - Fleet Maintenance & Refit

SailFuture • St. Petersburg, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

SailFuture is seeking a hands-on Maritime Engineer to maintain and improve the readiness of its five-vessel fleet, which supports student expeditions, crew training, and organizational operations. The role covers repairs, preventative maintenance, refits, shipyard periods, vendor and parts management, and vessel safety and compliance. The engineer is expected to diagnose problems, perform repairs when appropriate, and engage and oversee specialists when needed.

The fleet includes a 105-foot Feadship requiring operational-readiness repairs, a 100-foot ketch that is operational, a 65-foot MacGregor sloop requiring a full refit, a 54-foot Hatteras flybridge requiring operational-readiness repairs, and a 24-foot SafeBoat requiring a full refit. Systems include diesel propulsion and generators; running gear; DC and AC electrical systems; battery banks, inverters, shore power, and solar; watermakers and sanitation; refrigeration and chilled-water air conditioning; hydraulics, thrusters, and steering; and, on sailboats, rigging, winches, windlasses, and sail-handling equipment.

The position is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, with travel to vessels and shipyards and regular domestic and international travel. The stated start date is February 1, 2027. Compensation is a $65,000 base salary plus annual Impact Compensation. Benefits listed are 15 days of PTO, 11 paid holidays, a 401(k) with a 6% match, and a $250 health-insurance contribution.

The role reports to the Fleet Manager and CEO. The posting also contains an “Open items before posting” note stating that the reporting line is not in the original and should be filled in or removed, and that the amounts for Impact Compensation and the health contribution should be confirmed. Accordingly, those details are presented as listed in the posting, with the noted uncertainty.

Requirements

• Substantial professional experience maintaining, repairing, or operating complex recreational, commercial, or large-yacht vessels.
• Hands-on experience with several of the following: marine diesel, generators, DC and AC electrical systems, inverters and battery systems, plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration, hydraulics, watermakers, marine electronics, fiberglass, and carpentry.
• Ability to read wiring diagrams, schematics, and mechanical drawings and independently research unfamiliar equipment.
• Ability to run projects and hold shipyards and contractors accountable.
• Strong organization of records and documentation.
• Willingness to work in engine rooms, travel internationally, and work aboard vessels when needed.
• Valid driver’s license and passport.

Nice To Haves

• USCG credential or STCW.
• Yacht refit management experience.
• International vessel operations experience.
• Experience on vessels 50 to 120 feet, including sailing vessels.
• Experience with older vessels carrying several generations of equipment.

Responsibilities

• Build and run a preventative maintenance program for every vessel.
• Diagnose and repair engines, generators, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, hydraulics, and refrigeration; perform repairs directly or determine when a specialist is needed.
• Maintain vessel logs, service histories, manuals, and spare-parts inventories.
• Ensure critical spares are aboard before offshore voyages.
• Set daily through annual maintenance routines with captains and crew.
• Assess vessel condition and develop prioritized scopes of work for refits and shipyard periods.
• Prepare project budgets, schedules, equipment specifications, and bid packages.
• Evaluate shipyard and contractor proposals and keep projects on time and within budget.
• Inspect completed work, conduct commissioning and sea trials, and update documentation.
• Build and manage relationships with shipyards, contractors, and suppliers; negotiate pricing, define scopes, and check invoices against completed work.
• Source parts domestically and internationally, including obsolete equipment, and decide whether to repair or replace equipment.
• Help captains resolve findings from inspections, surveys, and audits.
• Support flag-state, classification, insurance, and safety requirements.
• Plan for machinery failures and emergency response.
• Work alongside riggers and sailmakers on sailboat rigging, winches, windlasses, and sail-handling equipment.

Benefits

• 15 days PTO.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 401(k) with 6% match.
• $250 health-insurance contribution (the posting notes this amount should be confirmed).
• Annual Impact Compensation in addition to the $65,000 base salary; the amount is not specified, and the posting notes it should be confirmed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed