Chief Engineer

Silver Bay Seafoods; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Silver Bay Seafoods LLC is seeking a Chief Engineer to oversee maintenance across multiple systems at a year-round facility in Alaska. You will lead engineering and maintenance teams, plan preventative maintenance, and manage NH3, R22, R404A, and related refrigerant systems.

You will drive reliability, troubleshoot critical equipment, and coordinate with production leadership to minimize downtime and ensure safe, efficient operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of 5 years related experience operating and managing a production facility.
• Extensive engineering skills across multiple domains including refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of industrial machines and facilities maintenance and repair.
• Refrigeration theory and maintenance, including low temperature and RSW systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance departments to ensure safe, efficient production and minimal downtime.
• Manage personnel across departments and supervise maintenance during production, downtime, and off-season.
• Oversee troubleshooting and repair of equipment in multiple departments, including emergencies.
• Coordinate changes to facilities equipment during production or downtime.
• Ensure safety, inline with OSHA regulations, and enforce company policies.

Skills

Refrigeration expertise

Mechanical repair

Electrical knowledge

P&ID reading

Leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Millwright

Hydraulic systems

Pneumatic systems

PLC

Job description

Silver Bay Seafoods LLC | 03 - Maintenance (Year-Round)

Craig, United States | Posted on 10/07/2026

As the Chief Engineer, you will be a vital member at one of our Alaskan processing facilities while assess ing plant wide maintenance needs and recommend ing changes, plan and schedule preventative maintenance as well as manage and instruct department heads and employees in multiple departments in maintenance procedures and techniques. As the Chief Engineer, you will be responsible for managing personnel in maintaining multiple systems of NH3 (anhydrous ammonia), R22(HCFC), R404A(HFC), R507(HFC), R134A(HFC) and other refrigerants as encountered in the facility and on fishing vessels.

Essential Functions/Qualificat ions

• Work closely with Plant & Production Manager to maintain safe and efficient production speeds and processes.
• Manage engineering and maintenance department heads and employees to facilitate efficient production processes and minimize downtime.
• Lead engineering and maintenance personnel in troubleshooting and repairing equipment and machinery in multiple departments during a crisis, emergency and/or downtime.
• Lead engineering and maintenance personnel during day-to-day production processes while in production and during the off-season.
• Coordinate the changes and modifications to facilities equipment either on the fly as needed during production or during downtime.
• Identify dangers and help prevent accidents, in addition to explaining a nd enforcing company policy and general safety practices.
• Take part in the organization of the emergency response team, supervision of the safe evacuation process.
• Coordinate and oversee all engineering and maintenance departments during production, including assigning personnel to areas and shifts and scheduling maintenance and repairs.
• C oordinate proper and up to date inventory of parts, tools and other maintenance supplies.
• Review all the orders of parts and tools submitted by the maintenance department heads, assuring accuracy of all their specifications and assembly.
• Complete and fulfill paperwork required for material orders and time sheets.
• Perform cost benefit analysis on purchases and process changes.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain respectful and professional relationships with other employees and service providers in a stressful environment.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure the facility and organization is fully supported and successful.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following functional and interpersonal competencies:

Functional

• Mechanical Expertise: Deep understanding of refrigeration, electrical, and production equipment.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to diagnose and repair complex equipment.
• Electrical Knowledge: Familiarity with components, controls, safety regulations, and code compliance.
• Blueprint Reading: Proficiency in reading and understanding P&ID diagrams, electrical blueprints, and circuit diagrams.

Interpersonal

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with a team and build relationships with internal and external customers.
• Leadership: Ability to set an example and inspire confidence in others.
• Integrity: Demonstrates honesty, reliability, and fairness in all interactions.
• Safety Awareness: Knowledge of OSHA regulations, PSM, and RPM compliance.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a demanding and challenging environment.
• Initiative: Ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required .
• Minimum of 5 years rela ted document able experience operating and managing a production facility.
• Highly experienced in multiple Engineering skills, including general knowledge of Millwright, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Electrical, Electrical Control, PLC, IT, Plumbing, Refrigeration, Diesel Engines, Rolling Stock, Inventory, Building Maintenance, General Construction, Fabricating and Welding Processes.
• K nowledge of industrial machines and facilities maintenance and repair, as necessary.
• Skills and extensive knowledge and experience in refrigeration theory, operation, and maintenance, troubleshooting and repair on both low temperature and RSW systems.