Tug Engineer

Svitzer Australia Pty Ltd; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 223,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

Svitzer Australia Pty Ltd is seeking a skilled Tug Engineer for our Newcastle towage team. The role focuses on keeping vessels running safely, maintaining engines, and supporting deck operations.

You’ll work within a safety‑conscious crew, reporting to the Tug Master and Port Manager, and contribute to reliable towage services in a busy port environment.

Qualifications

• Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal Certificate or equivalent.
• AMSA Medical that matches your Certificate of Competency; current Provide First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Solid knowledge of marine engines, propulsion systems, and auxiliary equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining all onboard machinery, including engine and deck equipment.
• Carrying out maintenance and repair of marine systems and equipment.
• Assisting on deck to support crew and vessel operations.
• Supporting safe and effective winch operation during towage jobs.
• Identifying and reporting defects to keep operations on track.
• Preparing maintenance records and operational reports.

Skills

Marine engines

Towage experience

Safety procedures

Calm under pressure

Adaptability

Teamwork

Education

Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal Certificate

Job description

Get to Know Us

Since 1833, Svitzer has helped keep trade moving through trusted towage services. Our tugboat crews are at the heart of that work, delivering safe, reliable and sustainable support on the water. If you value teamwork, take pride in your skills, and want to be part of a company that does things properly - we’d love to have you aboard. Are you a technically skilled and safety-conscious marine engineer? We're looking for a Tug Engineer to join our Newcastle towage team on a permanent full-time basis.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

You’ll be based in one of Australia’s busiest and most diverse ports. You’ll play a key role in maintaining and operating advanced marine systems, helping ensure the safety and reliability of every operation. With a vibrant city atmosphere, access to beautiful beaches, and a rich maritime history, Newcastle offers an exciting lifestyle and strong work-life balance for maritime professionals. This is a rostered full-time role. You will receive a fortnightly salary with the current full-time salary for a Tug Engineer in Newcastle set at $247,725.95 per annum.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Tug Engineer, you’ll play a key role in keeping our vessels running safely and reliably. Reporting to the Tug Master onboard but overall, the Port Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining all onboard machinery, including engine and deck equipment
• Carrying out maintenance and repair of marine systems and equipment
• Assisting on deck when needed to support the crew and vessel operations
• Supporting safe and effective winch operation during towage jobs
• Identifying and reporting defects promptly to keep operations on track
• Preparing maintenance records and operational reports as required
• Ensuring compliance with safety procedures, regulations, and company policies undefined
• Participating in drills, training, and skills development

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal Certificate of Competency or equivalent
• A valid AMSA Medical that matches your Certificate of Competency Current Provide First Aid and Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificates
• Solid knowledge of marine engines, propulsion systems, and auxiliary equipment
• Experience working in towage to tug operations will help you step in with confidence
• A strong focus on safety and following procedures to get the job done right
• The ability to stay calm, think clearly, and adapt when conditions change
• A willingness to embrace technology and support sustainable ways of working
• The right to live and work in Australia

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs.

We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

Svitzer is a people company. Offering uninterrupted marine solutions requires not only the best equipment but also the best people. Our ambition is to attract and continuously develop the industry’s best craftsmen. Both at sea and on land - worldwide, wherever our customers do business. We are driven by skilled, professional and dedicated people and we work together as one company to provide safe, reliable and efficient services to our customers. We support and develop our people’s skills and capabilities and we care for the development of both teams and individuals. To best serve our customers, we strive to ensure the right people and the best teams for the job, every time and we believe diversity is a strength.

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs.

We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.