Marine Engineer Officer

Serco; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme up to 6%

Internal courses & apprenticeships

Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts

Volunteer day

Inclusive networks

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) to join our maritime team on shipboard assignments. You will lead the Marine Engineering Department in the operation, maintenance and repair of propulsion and support systems, ensuring vessel availability and readiness for UK and overseas operations.

You will undertake planned maintenance, diagnose defects, and supervise hands-on repairs, while coordinating engineering activities, training, and safety initiatives in a dynamic maritime

Qualifications

• 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 escalation 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

Leadership

Maintenance planning

Diagnostics

Team delegation

Engineering training

Safety culture

Emergency response

Job description

Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) – RFA Crewing

Location: Shipboard

Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

Schedule: FTC 24 months/FT/ 48 hours - 5 weeks on / 5 weeks off

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 escalation operational issues appropriately.
• Commitment to safety, compliance and continuous professional development.

What We Offer

• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel.
• Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity.
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting And Checks

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).