Senior Ship Superintendent

Private Destinations•Miami, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Ship Superintendent at Princess Cruise Line is responsible for overseeing the technical operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of assigned vessels. This role involves managing repair and maintenance budgets, coordinating dry-dock and wet-dock projects, ensuring timely certification renewals, and serving as the primary shore-side contact for technical issues. The Senior Ship Superintendent will work closely with the Fleet Technical Operations, Technical Supply Chain, Hotel Technical and other departments across PCL to align technical requirements and ensure compliance. With the higher level of experience, the Senior Ship Superintendent to provide support and advice to the Junior Superintendents as required. The ideal candidate will have a 4-year degree in engineering or engineering management, 7–10 years of progressive shipboard experience (preferably as Chief Engineer or Chief Electrician), and strong project management and communication skills. This position reports to the Fleet Director and plays a key leadership role in supporting operational excellence.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant shipboard role, ideally at the level of Chief Engineer or Chief Electrician.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a shore-side superintendent role with direct accountability for vessel operations.
Proven leadership as the superintendent in charge of dry-docking for technical and/or electrical systems.
Demonstrated involvement in annual OPEX and CAPEX budget development, including oversight and control.
Experience managing and executing contracts for vessel operations and maintenance.
Ability to represent the Fleet Director in meetings with senior leadership, vendors, and external stakeholders.
Experience with new build projects or similar large-scale technical initiatives.
Familiarity with AMOS or AMOS-based applications.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and data analytics tools such as Tableau.
Completion of a ship superintendency course.
Completion of a leadership development program.
Background in managing both technical and electrical aspects of vessel operations.
Deep technical knowledge and operational experience from both shipboard and shore-side roles.
Lead responsibility for planning and executing dry-docking projects, including technical and electrical scopes.
Strong understanding of budget planning, variance analysis, and cost control in a maritime context.
Experience in contract management, vendor negotiations, and compliance with classification society and flag state regulations.
Proven ability to influence shipboard planning decisions and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
Demonstrated leadership in guiding other superintendents and substituting for senior technical leaders in high-level forums.
Advanced problem-solving capabilities to address complex technical challenges.
Ability to analyze performance data, anticipate equipment failures, and develop proactive maintenance strategies.
Ability to interpret regulatory requirements, audit findings, and incident reports to create corrective and preventive action plans.
Ability to balance cost, time, and safety considerations when planning dry-docks or approving technical purchases.
Ability to evaluate vendor proposals, troubleshoot recurring technical issues, and resolve cross-departmental conflicts.
Critical thinking and decisive action under time-sensitive and high-stakes conditions.
High-level leadership across both direct and matrixed teams, including shipboard engineers, shore-side specialists, and cross-functional partners.
Responsibility for directing the work of others, including electrical and hotel interior superintendents, during technical projects.
Ability to lead dry-dock teams, manage vendor relationships, and coordinate with internal departments.
Budget ownership for assigned vessels and participation in annual planning cycles.
Ability to represent the Fleet Director in meetings with senior leadership, vendors, and regulatory bodies.

Nice To Haves

4-year degree in engineering or engineering management
7–10 years of progressive shipboard experience (preferably as Chief Engineer or Chief Electrician)

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for the technical performance and operational readiness of assigned vessels.
Monitors planned maintenance via the AMOS system and ensures timely execution and accurate documentation.
Participates in PBL meetings assisting the PBL manager to ensure Diesel Engine overhauls are completed on time and that any DG issues are resolved in a timely fashion.
Oversees the evaluation and resolution of hotel technical defects, promoting continuous improvement.
Verifies and approves requisitions for spares, services, and consumables, and coordinates with the technical supply chain team to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
Supports shipboard staff in maintaining up-to-date certifications and documentation.
Monitors AAQS reports and performance to ensure availability at all times, Cooling Water analysis results, lubricating oil consumption and analysis reports to identify trends and potential issues.
Conducts regular ship visits to assess technical condition producing a written report for each visit with any action plans if required.
Leads the development of vessel-specific technical strategies and ensures integration with broader fleet initiatives.
Accountable for managing the technical repair and maintenance budgets of assigned vessels, including OPEX and CAPEX planning.
Leads the annual budget development process and monitors ongoing expenditures to ensure fiscal discipline.
Investigates variances, provides justifications, and collaborates with finance to maintain transparency and control.
Approves requisitions, evaluates cost-effectiveness of technical purchases, and ensures adherence to procurement protocols.
Collaborates with finance and supply chain teams to evaluate suppliers and assess cost-effectiveness.
Ensures compliance with company purchasing and logistics procedures.
Supports the evaluation of new products and services to enhance operational efficiency.
Serves as the primary technical liaison between shipboard teams and shore-side departments, including Fleet Operations, Technical Supply Chain, Hotel Technical, and Brand stakeholders.
Leads coordination efforts to ensure vessel needs are understood and addressed across all functions.
Directs cross-departmental initiatives, such as technical upgrades, vendor evaluations, and compliance projects.
Delegates tasks to electrical and hotel interior superintendents with clear expectations and oversight.
Ensures that all internal and external stakeholders are aligned on project goals, timelines, and deliverables.
Ensures compliance with Global HESS and SMS standards.
Supports ship staff in maintaining all required certifications and documentation.
Monitors renewal schedules and coordinates visits from relevant personnel to ensure timely updates.
Reviews marine casualty reports, audit findings, and non-conformances, and develops corrective and preventive action plans.
Coordinates with classification societies and flag state authorities for modifications and regulatory updates.
Ensures that all operations prioritize environmental protection and the safety of guests and crew.
Facilitates internal approvals for vessel modifications and ensures proper documentation.
Drives continuous improvement by analyzing technical performance data and identifying trends in maintenance, defects, and resource utilization.
Leads initiatives to enhance planned maintenance execution, reduce recurring issues, and implement innovative solutions.
Evaluates new technologies, tools, and vendor capabilities to improve vessel performance and lifecycle management.
Mentors junior superintendents and contributes to leadership development within the technical team.