Chief Engineer, Cordova Shoreplant

Trident Seafoods; Cordova (AK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Trident Seafoods, a North American seafood leader headquartered in Seattle, seeks a Chief Engineer to oversee all daily engineering and maintenance for its Alaska shore facilities. You will manage the engineering department, leading capital projects and ensuring safe, compliant operations across diverse systems.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, deep ammonia refrigeration expertise, and coordination with HR and management to drive performance and safety throughout the shoreplant.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years related experience in maritime or food manufacturing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration.
• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to manage teams of employees.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily engineering, repairs and maintenance of AK shore facilities.
• Direct capital projects including scheduling, budgeting and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with management, finance and production to assess feasibility and cost.
• Ensure energy management, preventive maintenance and safety programs are followed.
• Develop training to keep shoreplant staff qualified and compliant.

Skills

Ammonia Refrigeration

Team Leadership

Project Management

Regulatory Compliance

Education

HS Diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Marine Engineering

Job description

Overview

Trident Seafoods is North America’s largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. With deep roots in Alaska and operating across the globe, Trident is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, committed to nourishing the world while upholding the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and excellence. At Trident Seafoods, we work together for something bigger than ourselves. From nourishing the world with the best protein on earth to protecting our oceans, serving our fishermen, and supporting communities in Alaska and beyond, here, you’ll find a values-driven culture where your growth matters, your work has purpose and your contributions are recognized and appreciated—because at Trident, we believe meaningful work connects us all.

Responsibilities

Summary: The Chief Engineer will oversee all daily engineering, repairs and maintenance functions of AK shore facilities. Under general direction from on site management and the Director of Facility Engineering they will ensure that the plants are operating efficiently and effectively according to established procedures. Directs and oversees the activities of the engineering department regarding the repair and maintenance functions for the shore side facilities by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors or staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the functionality and safety of the facility, including the physical buildings, mechanical equipment, electrical/heating/cooling/life/safety systems, industrial refrigeration and grounds in accordance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Leads, manages and directs capital projects (e.g., shoreplant-based construction, installation and repair projects) including the scheduling, budgeting and compliance with license, permit and other applicable codes and regulations.
• Confers with management, finance and production staff to determine engineering feasibility and cost effectiveness of present or future projects.
• Oversees and establishes the performance and operation standards for all shoreside utilities. Resolves problems using solutions that involve appropriate techniques, technologies, or concepts.
• Directs and oversees required documentation for energy management, conservation, preventative maintenance and process safety management programs.
• Analyzes and leverages personnel needs to assist with short- and long-term projects.
• Oversees the design and implementation of training to ensure that all shoreplant engineering staff are properly trained, qualified and in compliance with regulatory training and/or regulatory certification requirements.
• Assesses capital projects requests and directs preparation of capital expenditure requests.
• Assesses assets and develops condition reports and estimated expenses for new plants. Assessments includes utilities, processing capabilities, equipment and docks.
• Manages and monitors the performance of teams to ensure they meet required standards and KPIs.
• Works with HR and local management to resolve personnel and performance issues and determine appropriate course of action.
• Ensures compliance to legal regulations and company policies.

Additional Responsibilities

• Acquires knowledge of Trident’s Environmental and Safety Policies by completing required training programs and performing designated work activities in accordance with training and procedures/work instructions.
• Notifies designated personnel of any environmental or safety incidents or risks not previously documented, in accordance with Environmental Awareness and/or safety trainings.
• Performs other or similar duties as requested.

Employees working in Alaska are advised to have medical insurance coverage which is valid in the State of Alaska.

Trident Seafoods offers a comprehensive and quality benefits package. More information can be found at https://www.tridentseafoods.com/benefits.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of eight (8) years related experience and/or training in the maritime or food manufacturing industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration required.
• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have ability to manage teams of employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Mechanical Engineering preferred; Electrical or Marine Engineering with experience may be substituted or equivalent Seafood or related industry experience preferred.
• Diesel power generation and electrical distribution systems experience.
• Incident command system 100/200 training
• Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator (CIRO) or Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator (CARO) certification, active status not required.
• EPA 608 universal certification.
• Certified Refrigeration Energy Specialist preferred. Continuing education is supported through Trident Seafoods for professional development and training.

Special Training/Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to supervisor and other employees of the organization. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Work Environment

This position requires being onsite at our Alaska shoreplant 66%-75% of the year. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Mental Activities

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to understand English, and utilize teamwork skills. The employee is frequently required to speak English, and use decision making skills. The employee is occasionally required to use interpersonal, customer service, mentoring, problem analysis, training and supervision skills. The employee will be occasionally required to read and write English, perform basic math, use exercise independent judgment, and use discretion.

Work Authorizations

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Additional Information

Stay connected with Trident Seafoods online at www.tridentseafoods.com and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube or LinkedIn.

Trident Seafoods provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Trident Seafoods and its subsidiaries have adopted a drug-free workplace policy. Working under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol is not permitted.

Employment with Trident Seafoods is contingent upon the candidate maintaining valid immigration status and work authorization throughout employment, with or without immigration sponsorship by the company.