Chief Engineer - F/V Billikin (USCG Licensed)

Trident Seafoods Corporation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Trident Seafoods, based in Seattle, seeks an experienced Chief Engineer to oversee engineering operations on our fishing vessels. You will manage propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration, and sanitary systems, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient vessel performance.

The role requires coordinating with the Captain and management on projects, training crews, budgeting, and ensuring regulatory requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Valid USCG Chief Engineer license for vessels 500 GRT+ or 4,000 HP DDE.
• Strong knowledge of propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration, and sanitary systems.
• Experience on fishing vessels in the fishery being applied for.

Responsibilities

• Directs safe operation and maintenance of vessel engineering systems.
• Leads capital projects, drydocking, budgets and permits.
• Develops staff training and ensures regulatory compliance.
• Forecasts operating costs and supports budget requests.

Skills

Vessel engineering

Maintenance planning

Safety compliance

Project management

Team leadership

MS Office

Education

USCG License – Chief Engineer

STCW endorsement

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:

Responsible for overall vessel engineering operations and the safe and reliable operation of propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration and sanitary systems. Directs and oversees vessel staff in the operation, repair and maintenance of vessel machinery and systems. Works directly with the Captain and management to plan and implement engineering projects, maintenance and repairs in support of vessel operations.

Essential Functions: (Responsibilities, Tasks, Supervisory Needs)

• Directs the safe operation and maintenance of vessel engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration and sanitary systems. Ensures these activities comply with Trident policy and local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Leads capital projects, including drydocking, installations and repairs. Manages project schedules, budgets and compliance with licenses, permits, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Establishes and oversees performance and operating standards for all vessel systems. Leads problem resolution using appropriate techniques, technologies and concepts.
• Directs emergency activities, including raft launching and the use of immersion suits and life preservers. Assists with fire and flooding response.
• Oversees required documentation for energy management, conservation and preventive maintenance programs.
• Assesses engineering staffing needs for short- and long-term projects.
• Works directly with the Captain and management to assess the engineering feasibility and cost-effectiveness of current and future projects.
• Leads the design and implementation of engineering staff training. Ensures staff are trained, qualified and compliant with regulatory training and certification requirements.
• Forecasts departmental operating costs and supports budget requests. Advises management of developments affecting profit, schedules, costs or interdepartmental relations.
• Maintains working knowledge of safety policies and regulations. Ensures safe performance of duties by self and others.

Qualifications

The essential functions listed above are not exhaustive. The organization may assign other duties as needed to meet business requirements.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Requirements: Must hold valid USCG License endoresed as Chief Engineer for vessels of at least 500 GRT or Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) 4,000HP or greater.

Required Qualifications: (Education, Years of Experience, Certifications)

• Clean vessel safety record.
• Firefighting skills:
  • Advanced Firefighting for Catcher Boats and Factory Trawlers, Processing Vessels, and Freighters
  • Basic Firefighting for Tenders
• Able to manage vessel safety programs and take responsibility for keeping the vessel ship shape.

Certificates, Licences, Registrations

• As required, holds appropriate licenses/permits of trade. To include a CG license of appropriate horsepower, an STCW endorsement, and other applicable trade licenses/permits.
• Current First Aid and CPR cards.

Experience and Vessel-Specific Requirements

Catcher Boats and Factory Trawlers

• Two years as an engineer on a fishing boat in the fishery being applied for.
• Five years as a deckhand on a fishing boat in the fishery being applied for.

Preferred Education & Experiences:

• Extensive seafood of related industry experience preferred; Four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Able to work/communicate with Claims and HR departments to monitor crew needs/issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Familiarity with pollution abatement procedures.
• Familiarity with applicable state and federal requirements and regulations for the vessel or fishery being applied for.
• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to effectively use MS Office suite of programs.
• Regularly read, speak, write, and understand English.
• Frequently uses interpersonal and teamwork skills; decision-making, creativity and problem analysis skills; and independent judgment, discretion and supervision skills.

Work environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly 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.

Work Ability Requirements:

Must be capable of boarding and departing (exiting) a vessel without assistance by moving up or climbing a gangplank, the stern ramp of a vessel and/or a vertical ladder. Must be capable of boarding/departing the vessel by being lifted in a crane or manlift. May also enter and exit a skiff from a dock, plane, or a boat unassisted. Must meet at designated locations to receive instructions and place on a life jacket and an immersion suit without assistance in one minute or less. Must also move quickly without assistance to any designated lifeboat station.

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 25 pounds, frequently lift and /or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and /or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision and peripheral vision.

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, including F-1 STEM-OPT authorization.

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.