Chief Engineer/First Assitant Engineer

MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Management is seeking a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer for a major U.S. Navy ship repair and modernization program in Seattle.

Senior waterfront leader will coordinate restoration, integration, and testing of complex shipboard systems during a multi-month maintenance availability. The role requires coordinating with production, planning, testing, subcontractors, and customer representatives to ensure systems are restored and delivered safely and on

Qualifications

• Senior waterfront leadership role coordinating restoration, integration and testing of shipboard systems.
• Experience with NAVSEA, SUPSHIP, or U.S. Navy ships is highly desirable.
• Licensed U.S. Coast Guard Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate restoration and integration of shipboard engineering systems.
• Ensure systems are sequenced for testing and commissioning.
• Collaborate with production, planning, testing and customers to maintain schedule.
• Identify dependencies and resolve issues affecting testing.
• Lead system readiness reviews and waterfront coordination meetings.
• Coordinate dock trials, machinery testing, and delivery readiness.
• Develop recovery plans and remove barriers to testing.

Skills

Leadership

Project coordination

System testing

Waterfront operations

Education

USCG Unlimited Chief Engineer License

First Assistant Engineer License

Tools

NAVSEA experience

SUPSHIP background

Job description

Chief Engineer / First Assistant Engineer
Integration Test Coordinator / Ship Repair Execution Lead
Location: Seattle, WA (On-Site)
Duration: Approximately 14 Months
Employment Type: Full-Time Contract

Position Overview

Flagship Management is seeking an experienced U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer to support a major U.S. Navy ship repair and modernization program in Seattle.

This is a senior waterfront leadership role responsible for coordinating the restoration, integration, and testing of complex shipboard engineering systems during a major maintenance availability. The successful candidate will work closely with production, engineering, planning, testing, subcontractors, and customer representatives to ensure engineering systems are restored, tested, and delivered safely and on schedule.

This opportunity is well suited for an experienced engineering officer looking to transition ashore or an experienced marine engineering professional with a background in naval ship repair, modernization, or fleet maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate restoration and integration of shipboard engineering systems.
• Ensure systems are available and properly sequenced for testing and commissioning.
• Work with production, engineering, planning, scheduling, and test organizations to maintain schedule performance.
• Identify system dependencies and resolve technical issues impacting testing.
• Lead system readiness reviews and support waterfront coordination meetings.
• Coordinate dock trials, machinery testing, integrated systems testing, and delivery readiness.
• Develop recovery plans and remove barriers affecting production and testing.

Qualifications

• USCG Unlimited Chief Engineer License or First Assistant Engineer License.
• Significant experience aboard U.S.-flag vessels or U.S. Navy ships.
• Strong understanding of marine engineering systems, propulsion, electrical distribution, auxiliary machinery, HVAC, and shipboard operations.
• Experience supporting ship repair, modernization, fleet maintenance, or new construction programs.
• Ability to coordinate multiple technical disciplines in a fast-paced waterfront environment.
• Previous experience with NAVSEA, SUPSHIP, U.S. Navy surface combatants, or commercial shipyard operations is highly desirable.

Ideal Background

• Chief Engineer
• First Assistant Engineer
• Port Engineer
• Ship Superintendent
• Waterfront Engineer
• Senior Test Engineer
• Ship Repair Project Manager
• Availability Manager

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to leverage your operational engineering experience in a highly visible leadership role supporting a major U.S. Navy program. You’ll play a key role in ensuring complex engineering systems are restored, integrated, tested, and delivered safely while working alongside experienced shipyard, engineering, and government personnel.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply or contact Flagship Management for a confidential discussion.