Senior Marine Engineer

THE MCHENRY MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC•Chesapeake, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The McHenry Management Group, Inc. is seeking a Senior Marine Engineer to support the Engineering Design Team (EDT) in delivering practical, field-ready engineering solutions for Military Sealift Command (MSC), U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, commercial shipyards, and commercial vessel operators. This is a hands-on technical contributor role responsible for executing engineering projects from cradle to grave, including ship checks, problem definition, design development, production support, testing, regulatory coordination, installation support, and final closeout. The ideal candidate understands ship design, construction, repair, maintenance, modernization, and operation in real-world shipyard and waterfront environments, and is comfortable conducting ship checks, solving deckplate-level problems, coordinating with production teams, and developing practical, compliant, and executable engineering solutions. The position reports to the assigned Lead Design Engineer or Project Lead Engineer and operates within TMMG’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, emphasizing technical quality, constructability, configuration control, schedule awareness, and first-time acceptance. At TMMG, engineers solve real shipboard problems, support production where the work happens, and deliver engineering solutions that help ships safely operate, maintain schedule, and meet mission requirements. This position is ideal for an experienced marine engineer who enjoys direct involvement in waterfront execution, troubleshooting, shipyard integration, and delivering engineering solutions that work in the real world.

Requirements

Background check, US Citizenship, confidential clearance, and a CAC are requirements for this position.
Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, or closely related engineering discipline.
Minimum of 10 years of post-graduate experience supporting: Ship repair; Shipbuilding; Vessel modernization; Marine operations; Shipyard execution; Waterfront engineering.
Minimum of 20 years of experience in the above without a degree.
Demonstrated experience conducting ship checks and developing engineering solutions based on field conditions.
Strong working knowledge of: Marine systems; Shipboard operations; Shipyard repair practices; Vessel maintenance environments.
Experience supporting projects from initial assessment through final execution and closeout.
Proficiency with: AutoCAD; Microsoft Office Suite.
Access and inspect all spaces throughout the vessel.
Climb ladders and navigate tight spaces and elevated structures or platforms.
Stand for extended periods while performing inspections and coordinating with production teams.
Carry drawings, laptops, and field verification tools (15–25 lbs).
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
Operate in high-noise, high-temperature machinery and equipment spaces.
Enter and work within confined or restricted-access spaces (voids, tanks, machinery areas).
Ability to conduct onboard walkdowns across multiple vessel compartments (up to 2–5 miles/day).
Maintain balance and situational awareness in active construction environments with uneven surfaces and overhead hazards.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting MSC, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, or major commercial maritime operators.
Familiarity with: ABS review and approval processes; USCG Marine Safety Center coordination; NAVSEA technical requirements.
Experience supporting testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
U.S. Coast Guard engineering license preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and support marine engineering solutions for ship repair, modernization, alteration, maintenance, and new installation projects.
Support engineering efforts involving: Hull, mechanical, and auxiliary (HM&E) systems; Piping systems; Machinery arrangements; Ventilation systems; Shipboard equipment integration; Structural interfaces and foundations; Operational and maintenance improvements.
Prepare and review: Work items; Engineering reports; Technical assessments; Design sketches; Installation guidance; Cost estimates; Drawing packages.
Ensure engineering products are practical, buildable, maintainable, and aligned with shipyard execution realities.
Conduct ship checks onboard vessels and in shipyard environments to validate existing conditions and support engineering development.
Gather field data, measurements, photographs, redlines, and system information required to develop accurate engineering solutions.
Verify as-built conditions and identify discrepancies between drawings and actual shipboard configurations.
Coordinate directly with: Ship’s force; Production personnel; Shipyard trades; Vendors; Waterfront teams.
Resolve deckplate-level issues affecting production, installation, testing, or vessel operations.
Support engineering during installation and execution phases to ensure technical solutions work in the field.
Ensure engineering solutions comply with applicable: ABS requirements; USCG regulations; NAVSEA standards; IEEE standards (as applicable); Commercial maritime industry requirements.
Support regulatory reviews, technical comment resolution, and approval processes.
Develop technically sound solutions that support vessel safety, maintainability, and operational readiness.
Take ownership of assigned engineering tasks from initial concept through final closeout.
Track engineering progress, deliverables, open action items, and technical risks.
Coordinate engineering sequencing with production schedules and installation activities.
Support planning and execution of: Ship alterations (ShipAlts / TRANSALTs); Repair packages; Modernization efforts; Regulatory corrections; System upgrades.
Support testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operational verification activities as required.
Ensure final deliverables reflect approved field conditions and configuration-controlled updates.
Perform shipboard material condition assessments and system evaluations.
Develop corrective action recommendations and engineered solutions for deficiencies identified during inspections or operational assessments.
Translate technical deficiencies into executable work items and engineering guidance.
Support troubleshooting of shipboard systems and equipment in coordination with operators, shipyards, vendors, and customers.
Support development and review of: AutoCAD drawings; Installation details; System diagrams; Piping layouts; Engineering change documentation.
Ensure drawing packages reflect verified field conditions and maintain proper configuration control.
Support document revisions and engineering closeout packages.
Interface professionally with customers, shipyards, regulatory agencies, vendors, and internal engineering teams.
Support technical meetings, design reviews, and project discussions.
Mentor junior engineers and designers by sharing practical shipboard and engineering knowledge.
Promote a culture of quality, accountability, responsiveness, and execution-focused engineering.