Tugboat Engineer

Curtin Maritime•Alameda, CA

9d•$450 - $875

About The Position

Curtin Maritime is hiring Tugboat Engineers at Engineer I through Engineer V levels. Engineers work directly with the Port Engineer and Vessel Captain, applying the company’s values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard. The company provides fully paid, coordinated travel to and from the vessel; employees may live anywhere in the United States. This is a full-time role with project-specific days and hours and significant time and travel away from home. It frequently involves long hours, weekend work, and offshore travel. Duties and qualifications vary by engineer level, ranging from assisting with or independently engineering tugs and maintaining engine rooms to advanced fleet-wide troubleshooting, heavy repairs, vessel commissioning, audits, project management, and crew training. Daily rates are listed by level: Engineer I, $450–$550; Engineer II, $550–$650; Engineer III, $650–$750; Engineer IV, $750–$800; and Engineer V, $800–$875. The company offers competitive compensation and a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, AD&D/life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Employees may also elect additional life insurance and health or dependent flexible spending accounts.

Requirements

Hold a TWIC Card, Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) OS/Wiper, Coast Guard medical certificate, and passport for Engineer I; Engineer II and above require the additional licenses specified for their level.
Engineer II and above require MMC QMED/Oiler and STCW Basic Training; these are listed as preferred for Engineer I.
Engineer III requires DDE 1000; Engineer IV requires DDE 4000; Engineer V requires DDE Any HP – 500 Ton.
Demonstrate attention to detail, strong organizational skills, responsibility, ownership, and proactive work habits.
Make safe and effective decisions under stressful or potentially dangerous conditions.
Communicate effectively with office staff and crew, including when instructing or training people at multiple levels.
Have logistical and mechanical reasoning skills, including the ability to plan and execute voyages and understand vessel mechanics and movement.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including traversing uneven ground and gangways, climbing, bending, lifting up to 40 pounds, handling lines and wire rigging, operating deck machinery, and working in confined or poorly accessible spaces and areas with periods of darkness.
Be able to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard, maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness, and swim.
Engineer II: be skilled in Deckhand I–III duties; be signed off as an engineer on multiple fleet vessels; with guidance, identify basic engineering systems on a new vessel; and demonstrate developing troubleshooting and repair abilities across vessel systems.
Engineer III: be qualified to engineer all fleet vessels, including ocean tugs; troubleshoot and repair vessel systems; plan critical-path work proactively; understand Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements; participate in audits; and demonstrate VMS proficiency, including training others.
Engineer IV: have high-level engineering, troubleshooting, and repair skills across fleet equipment; heavy repair experience; experience installing systems on new and retrofit applications; vessel commissioning experience; basic welding skills; audit experience; and experience managing dry-dockings and repairs.
Engineer V: meet Engineer I–IV requirements and demonstrate the listed advanced engineering, heavy repair, system installation, commissioning, audit, project management, and training experience.

Nice To Haves

Engineer I preferred licenses: MMC QMED/Oiler, Able Seaman Endorsement, and STCW Basic Training.
Engineer III preferred license: STCW RFPEW.
Engineer IV and Engineer V preferred licenses: STCW RFPEW and AS-Engine.
Engineer V preferred licenses: STCW OICEW.

Responsibilities

Work directly with the Port Engineer and Vessel Captain to support vessel operations and maintain the Curtin Standard.
Operate as an assistant or sole engineer on tugs, troubleshoot vessel systems, operate tow winches, and clean and maintain the engine room.
Maintain vessel inventories and work plans, create requisitions proactively, and leave the vessel cleaner than found.
Manage Deckhands or project teams when applicable, and hold team members accountable for completing assigned work.
Partner with the Port Engineer and Captain to plan work while underway.
Maintain records and report to the Port Engineer; use the Vessel Management System (VMS) in accordance with the expectations for the engineer level.
Plan and carry out engineering work, troubleshoot and repair vessel systems, and maintain vessel readiness.
For senior levels, manage repairs and dry-dockings, coordinate vendors, regulators, shipyards, and shoreside teams, and commission vessels into the fleet.
Train and mentor Engineers I and II and Deckhands, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to standard operating procedures and training materials.
Participate in internal and external audits and, at senior levels, help develop audit criteria and improve the Curtin Standard.