Marine Engineer Officer

Serco Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco Limited is seeking a Marine Engineering Officer to lead and supervise the Marine Engineering Department aboard specialist vessels. You will oversee operation, maintenance and repair of propulsion, auxiliary and support systems to ensure vessel readiness and compliance.

The role requires experience in marine engineering, proven leadership, and strong communication to coordinate tasks and escalate issues while promoting safety and continuous professional development within the team.

Qualifications

• Experience in a marine engineering environment.
• Ability to lead, organise and support colleagues in a maritime setting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to escalate operational issues appropriately.
• Commitment to safety, compliance and continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Marine Engineering Department in the operation, maintenance and repair of propulsion, auxiliary and support systems.
• Undertake planned maintenance, defect diagnosis and hands-on repair of machinery and equipment to ensure vessel availability and operational readiness.
• Monitor the performance and condition of engineering systems, identifying and escalating defects that may affect the vessel's operational capability.
• Delegate tasks and assign duties to members of the Marine Engineering Department to ensure work is completed safely and effectively.
• Support the Chief Engineer in the management, organisation and administration of engineering department activities.
• Ensure statutory, classification society and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) engineering requirements are achieved within required timescales.
• Lead engineering training and development activities to maintain departmental competence and readiness.
• Promote a positive safety culture and support the welfare, performance and discipline of personnel within the Marine Engineering Department.
• Respond to machinery breakdowns and engineering emergencies, coordinating corrective action to minimise operational impact.

Skills

Marine engineering experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Safety culture

Problem solving

Job description

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Marine Engineering Officer in our Serco Maritime team, you'll support the safe and effective operation of specialist vessels by leading marine engineering activities onboard. Your work will help ensure vessels remain operational, compliant and ready to deliver essential services to customers in the UK and overseas.

Our work touches lives through the delivery of maritime support services that enable a wide range of operations, from dive support and military training to submarine rescue exercises, equipment deployment and passenger transfers. Joining us means contributing to services that create a positive impact while supporting innovation, trust and care across the maritime sector.

What you'll do as a Marine Engineering Officer (MEO)

Lead and supervise the Marine Engineering Department in the operation, maintenance and repair of propulsion, auxiliary and support systems.

Undertake planned maintenance, defect diagnosis and hands‑on repair of machinery and equipment to ensure vessel availability and operational readiness.

Monitor the performance and condition of engineering systems, identifying and escalating defects that may affect the vessel's operational capability.

Delegate tasks and assign duties to members of the Marine Engineering Department to ensure work is completed safely and effectively.

Support the Chief Engineer in the management, organisation and administration of engineering department activities.

Ensure statutory, classification society and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) engineering requirements are achieved within required timescales.

Lead engineering training and development activities to maintain departmental competence and readiness.

Promote a positive safety culture and support the welfare, performance and discipline of personnel within the Marine Engineering Department.

Respond to machinery breakdowns and engineering emergencies, coordinating corrective action to minimise operational impact.

Does this sound like you?

Experience working within a marine engineering environment.

Understanding of vessel engineering operations and maintenance activities.

Ability to lead, organise and support colleagues in a maritime setting.

Strong communication skills with the ability to escalat operational issues appropriately.

Commitment to safety, compliance and continuous professional development.