Port Engineer – Tanker

Lead Critical Maritime Operations. Drive Performance. Shape the Future of U.S. Shipping.

At USMMI, you won’t just manage ships—you’ll help power the backbone of U.S. commerce and national security.

As a trusted leader in the maritime industry, USMMI operates a fleet of vessels supporting both commercial trade and vital government programs, including the Military Sealift Command and the Maritime Administration’s Tanker Security Program (TSP). Our work sits at the intersection of operational excellence, engineering innovation, and mission-critical logistics.

We are known for doing things the right way — holding ourselves to the highest global standards and continuously advancing best practices aligned with OCIMF. Our team brings deep expertise in ship operations, design, and lifecycle management, enabling us to deliver smart, reliable solutions in a complex and evolving industry.

Why Join USMMI

Mission-Driven Work: Support operations that directly impact U.S. economic strength and national security. High-Impact Role: Your decisions directly influence vessel performance, safety, and charter success. Professional Respect: Work alongside experienced mariners and engineers who value expertise and leadership. Growth & Ownership: Take ownership of fleet performance and drive meaningful improvements. Dynamic Environment: Split time between office strategy and hands-on vessel and shipyard operations.

Your Impact

As a Port Engineer, you will take ownership of the technical performance, safety, and compliance of MR tankers operating in the Jones Act trade. You’ll serve as a critical link between shipboard teams and shoreside leadership—ensuring vessels operate safely, efficiently, and at peak readiness.

This is a role for a seasoned Chief Engineer ready to transition to the shoreside (or elevate their current port engineering career) and make a measurable impact across a fleet.

What You’ll Do

Lead the technical management and operational readiness of assigned vessels. Partner with Masters and Chief Engineers to ensure safe, efficient voyages. Plan and execute maintenance strategies, repairs, and drydock periods. Own and manage vessel budgets, balancing cost control with operational excellence. Drive compliance across USCG, ABS, EPA, and international regulatory frameworks. Champion safety culture and proactively address risks across the fleet. Analyze performance data to improve reliability, fuel efficiency, and lifecycle outcomes. Troubleshoot complex engineering issues and support crews with practical solutions. Oversee vendor, shipyard, and class engagements for inspections and certifications. Lead incident investigations and ensure effective corrective actions. Contribute to audits and vetting programs (TMSA, SIRE 2.0, ISM, ISO). Advance continuous improvement initiatives aligned with OCIMF best practices.

What You Bring

Required Experience & Credentials

U.S. Coast Guard Chief Engineer License (Unlimited HP) with Tank Vessel endorsement. 10+ years sailing as Chief Engineer on MR tankers (40,000–50,000 DWT preferred). Bachelor’s degree in marine engineering or related field. Strong knowledge of U.S. and international maritime regulations (USCG, ABS, SOLAS/MARPOL, TMSA, SIRE 2.0). Expertise in low-speed diesel propulsion, electrical systems, cargo systems, and automation. Proven experience planning and executing drydock projects and managing budgets.

Core Strengths

Leadership and decision-making in high-stakes operational environments Strong communication across shipboard and executive stakeholders Analytical mindset with a focus on performance optimization Hands-on problem solving with practical, field-ready solutions
Additional Requirements

Valid TWIC and U.S. Passport Ability to travel extensively (domestic and international, often on short notice) U.S. citizenship with eligibility for Secret clearance

Preferred

Prior port engineer or fleet management experience Advanced degree in engineering management or related discipline

Work Environment & Travel

This role blends office-based planning with hands-on field execution:

Location: Norfolk, Virginia – On-Site Travel: Extensive travel (including foreign travel and travel in cars, boats, ships, and airplanes) will be required to attend to shipyard maintenance, to ride vessels or visit vessels for quality assurance and general management of vessel and crews, and on short notice for casualties, to conduct investigations and to protect the company’s reputation, or as directed by management
Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General office setting, typically the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work, usually at a computer terminal with short breaks or lunch period. However, there may be some bending/stooping, reaching above shoulder level, walking; standing; carrying of light items such as papers, books, or packages of up to 25 pounds. You should be able to hear & speak clearly using phone / headset to communicate with customers; be able to navigate, view & enter information on the computer.

Operations Setting: typically, the employee must be able to be in Confined Spaces, Sit, Stand, Walk, Bend, Push/Pull, Kneel, Squat, Reaching and Twisting. Can not have any Fear of Heights. Also need the ability to consistently be able to lift 10lb – 100lb utilizing Folding Hand Truck & Dolly, Rolling Utility Carts or Single Hand Trucks (70 – 100%) of time.

Our Commitment to You

At USMMI, we are committed to providing a workplace where safety, professionalism, and respect come first. We invest in our people and empower them to take ownership, lead with confidence, and grow their careers in a meaningful way.

Ready to Take the Helm Shoreside

If you’re a seasoned Chief Engineer or experienced Port Engineer looking to make a broader impact, this is your opportunity to lead, influence, and help shape the future of maritime operations.

U.S. Coast Guard Chief Engineer License (Unlimited HP) with Tank Vessel endorsement, 10+ years sailing as Chief Engineer on MR tankers, Bachelor's degree in marine engineering, strong knowledge of maritime regulations, expertise in diesel propulsion and electrical systems, proven drydock project management, leadership and decision-making skills, valid TWIC and U.S. Passport, ability to travel extensively, U.S. citizenship with eligibility for Secret clearance.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/XnaZWPsV2gAbzfLBnhWeEO

PI284595239

Job Description:

What's it like working as a Ship Superintendent for a company that delivers critical ship repair services to the Navy? Challenging and rewarding. At BAE Systems, our ship superintendents are the leaders who ensure our projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. The Navy relies on our expertise to get their ships back in operation, and it's our ship superintendents who make it happen.

Right now, we are looking for a Ship Superintendent to join our team to plan, direct, and coordinate activities of designated projects, ensuring goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frames and funding parameters during the 1st shift operations. As a Ship Superintendent at BAE Systems, you will lead project teams, build collaborative relationships with customers and stakeholders, and drive execution in all aspects of ship repair, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

As a Ship Superintendent, you will:
• Communicating contract requirements, specifications, and customer expectations to all departments and subcontractors.
• Execute contracts in compliance with local, state, and federal safety and environmental guidelines.
• Prepare project reports for management, identifying variances to project plans that may need immediate attention, and coordinating with all teams for seamless project continuity
• Establish integrated project plans, including detailed production schedules and budgets
• Ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines, specifications, and requirements, such as NAVSEA, USCG, ABS, and OSHA regulations
• Lead project teams to improve knowledge and skill levels, and building collaborative relationships with internal and external customers
• Overseeing subcontractor efforts and resolve problems that cannot be resolved by assigned craft supervision.
• Conducting ship checks, attending meetings, and participating in setting up production schedules and manpower projections.
• Ensuring craft supervision and subcontractors are aware of milestones, key events, and target dates for assigned work, and coordinate with nighttime teams to ensure project continuity
• Collaborate closely with 2nd and 3rd shift operations.
• This position will report directly to a Ship/Project Manager and or a Program Manager

Required Education, Experience, & Skills :

A Bachelor's Degree and 4 years of experience in a ship repair, shipbuilding, or maritime environment, or equivalent 6-8 years of ship repair or maritime experience with GED or diploma.
Proven experience in project management, coordination, and leadership, with a focus on driving execution and delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Strong people management and team leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and direct cross-functional teams to achieve project goals and objectives
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interface with internal stakeholders, including Estimating, Quality Assurance and Testing, Environmental, and Production Support teams
Ability to assess production progress, identify areas for improvement, and discuss production status with senior leadership and project management teams
Proficiency in Microsoft software programs, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and technologies
Strong knowledge of ship repair and shipbuilding processes, including NAVSEA, USCG, ABS, and OSHA regulations, as well as industry best practices and standards
Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and practices, including the ability to understand and analyze project performance metrics, such as schedule performance index (SPI), cost performance index (CPI), and budget at completion (BAC), to inform project decisions and drive successful outcomes