Senior Chief Engineer

BC Ferries; Saltery Bay; On-site; CAD 145,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

BC Ferries is seeking a Senior Chief Engineer (Intermediate) at Saltery Bay to lead vessel engineering operations and serve as Engineering Manager and Watchkeeping Officer. You will oversee propulsion, power generation, safety, environmental, and mechanical systems while managing budgets, resources, and maintenance programs on a coastal fleet.

The role reports to the Engineering Superintendent and requires strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a commitment to safety and service excellence

Qualifications

• Leadership demonstrated through reliable performance and team guidance.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and customer service focus.
• Experience as Chief Engineer or equivalent with supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead all vessel engineering operations, ensuring safe and reliable transport of passengers and vehicles.
• Serve as Engineering Manager and Watchkeeping Engineering Officer overseeing propulsion, power generation, and safety systems.
• Manage engineering budgets, resources, inventories, and readiness for service delivery.
• Oversee planned maintenance, drydock projects, refits, repairs, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure compliance with Transport Canada regulations and company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer Service

Change agent

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

First or Second Class Motor Engineering Certificate of Competency

Supervisory & business courses asset

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

SENIOR CHIEF ENGINEER (INTERMEDIATE)

Saltery Bay

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our team as a senior member of the ship's management team. In this key leadership role, you will serve as both the Engineering Manager and Watchkeeping Engineering Officer, providing overall direction and oversight of the vessel's engineering operations.

Located in Saltery Bay on BC's beautiful Sunshine Coast, this role offers the opportunity to live and work in a stunning coastal setting. Surrounded by ocean views, forests, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities, the area provides a unique lifestyle that blends career growth with exceptional quality of life.

The role

As a senior member of the Shipboard Management Team, reporting to the Engineering Superintendent, you will oversee all vessel engineering operations, providing technical, operational, and people leadership to support safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery. In this role, you will:

• Lead all vessel engineering operations, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient transportation of passengers and vehicles
• Serve as both Engineering Manager and Watchkeeping Engineering Officer, overseeing the operation, maintenance, and repair of propulsion, power generation, auxiliary, safety, environmental, and mechanical systems
• Manage engineering budgets, resource planning, inventories, and vessel engineering resources to support operational readiness and service delivery
• Oversee planned maintenance programs, drydock projects, refits, repairs, contractor activities, and regulatory inspections
• Ensure compliance with Transport Canada regulations, safety standards, environmental requirements, and company policies
• Lead emergency preparedness and response activities, including crew training, drills, and incident management
• Collaborate with the Master, Ship's Management Team, shore-based departments, regulatory agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders to support vessel operations
• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and development opportunities for engineering officers and crew
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service

What you bring to the team

Education/Academic Requirements:

• First or Second Class Motor Engineering Certificate of Competency
• Completion of supervisory and business courses would be an asset

Experience Requirements:

• Experience as a Chief Engineer in a position at the equivalent certification level
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of applications

Competency Requirements:

• Strong leadership demonstrated through reliable performance and positive interaction with others in the company
• An agent of change who is driven to ensure outstanding results
• Ability to identify and analyze business improvement opportunities that increase shareholder value
• Customer Service driven individual
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills – necessary for leading and motivating diverse workforce

Additional information

The target salary range: $144,700-$180,900 per annum.The starting salary is determined based on the successful candidate’s knowledge, experience and internal equity.

\"We sail to serve and connect the people and the coast of BC”

At BC Ferries, our people are at the heart of delivering safe and reliable service along 1,600 km of coastline. Every day, we connect communities and move tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles across our 25 routes through the dedication, expertise and hard work of our teams. Guided by a shared commitment to safety, service, inclusion, and local commitment, we offer meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a positive impact. Whether you work onboard our vessels, in our terminals or behind the scenes, you will play an important role in connecting people, supporting communities, and keeping coastal BC moving.

We support employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace.