Technical Director(Shipping)

Tardis Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Tardis Group seeks an experienced Technical Director to oversee technical management and operational performance of a maritime fleet in Singapore. You will lead the technical department, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant vessel operations across all activities and budgets.

The role requires deep knowledge of ship management, maintenance planning, dry-docking, and major project oversight, with a track record of guiding teams through complex technical challenges and regulatory environments.

Qualifications

• Degree or relevant qualification in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chief Engineer sailing experience is highly preferred.
• Significant shore-based experience in Technical Management, ideally progressing to leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing multiple vessels and leading a technical department or fleet.
• Strong understanding of ship management, maintenance, dry-docking, repairs, surveys, CAPEX/OPEX and fleet performance management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of class, flag, statutory and international maritime regulations (ISM/ISPS/MARPOL/SOLAS/MLC).
• Experience managing technical budgets, procurement, shipyards and major repair projects.
• Strong track record in technical troubleshooting, incident investigation and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and overall leadership for the technical management, maintenance and performance of the fleet.
• Accountability for safe, reliable and compliant vessel operations.
• Lead the technical department and direct Technical Superintendents and engineers.
• Develop and implement fleet technical strategy, policies and standards.
• Monitor fleet performance, maintenance standards and KPIs; identify improvements.
• Oversee dry-docking, repairs, upgrades, surveys and CAPEX/OPEX planning.
• Provide senior technical oversight on newbuilds, acquisitions and refurbishments.
• Manage fleet budgets, procurement, and vendor relations.
• Ensure effective PMS implementation and timely maintenance.
• Lead root-cause investigations of failures and incidents; drive corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, SOLAS, MLC and local regulations.
• Support PSC inspections, class surveys and audits; maintain stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Technical leadership

Fleet operations

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Technical risk management

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting

Education

Marine Engineering degree

Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

We are currently supporting a leading maritime organization in its search for an experienced Technical Director to oversee the technical management and operational performance of vessels within its fleet.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and overall leadership for the technical management, maintenance and performance of the company's fleet.
• Take overall accountability for ensuring vessels operate safely, reliably, efficiently and in full compliance with class, flag, statutory and company requirements.
• Lead and oversee the technical department, providing direction to Technical Superintendents, engineers and shore-based technical teams.
• Develop and implement the company's fleet technical strategy, policies, procedures and standards in line with business objectives.
• Monitor overall fleet performance, reliability, maintenance standards, technical KPIs and operational efficiency, identifying areas for improvement.
• Oversee and approve dry-docking, major repairs, vessel upgrades, conversions, surveys and capital expenditure projects.
• Provide senior technical leadership on newbuilding, vessel acquisition, sale, modification and major refurbishment projects, where applicable.
• Take ownership of the fleet's technical budgets, cost control, procurement strategy and annual CAPEX/OPEX planning.
• Ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and ensure critical maintenance is completed within required timelines.
• Lead the investigation of major technical defects, machinery failures, accidents and incidents, ensuring root-cause analysis and effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure the fleet remains compliant with ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, SOLAS, MLC, class, flag and other applicable international and local regulations.
• Provide senior-level support during PSC inspections, class surveys, vetting inspections, internal/external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with shipyards, class societies, flag authorities, owners, charterers, technical vendors and other key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Degree or relevant qualification in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chief Engineer sailing experience is highly preferred.
• Significant shore-based experience in Technical Management, ideally progressing from Technical Superintendent/Senior Technical Superintendent into a technical leadership position.
• Proven experience managing multiple vessels and leading a technical department or fleet.
• Strong understanding of ship management, maintenance, dry-docking, repairs, surveys, CAPEX/OPEX and fleet performance management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of class, flag, statutory and international maritime regulations, including ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, SOLAS and MLC.
• Experience managing technical budgets, procurement, shipyards and major repair/maintenance projects.
• Strong track record in technical troubleshooting, incident investigation, risk management and continuous improvement.