Deck Engineer Machinist - Trainee

Sealift Command; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sealift Command seeks a Deck Engineer/Machinist (In Training) for Civil Service Mariner duties aboard MSC ships worldwide. In training status, you will support engineering and deck operations, maintaining UNREP and cargo handling gear, and ensuring safe, reliable maritime service in peace and war.

The role requires US citizenship, USCG credentials, and sea-service experience; you will advance through hands-on training while supporting the joint warfighter with on-time logistics and flexible

Qualifications

• US citizenship required.
• USCG MMC with endorsements required (Ordinary Seaman, etc.).
• Minimum 4 years sea service or deck machinery experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain deck engineering machinery and UNREP equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance and diagnostics on deck systems and cargo-handling gear.
• Support navigation and shipboard operations as a CIVMAR in training.

Skills

UNREP systems

Cargo handling

Diagnostics

Shipboard maintenance

Job description

Announcement opens from 10/05/2026 to 10/26/2026.

DUTIES

The Deck Engineer Mechanic/Machinist (In Training) is a civil service mariner (CIVMAR) in a developmental training status, employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, in contested or uncontested environments.

REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a United States Citizen of at least 18 years of age.
• Possess and maintain a valid U.S. Passport with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date.
• Possess and maintain a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) and/or Department of Defense (DOD) Common Access with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expirations date.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate without any Limitations/Restrictions, with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC), with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date with the following endorsement(s): Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, Stewards Department (FH) with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date.

LICENSING AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• 180 days of service in a rating at or above the level of Wiper or Coal Passer while sailing in international waters. Examples of qualifying ratings above a Wiper or Coal Passer include, but are not limited to: Electronic/Refrigerating Engineer, Oiler, Boiler Technician (formerly Fireman)/Watertender, Junior Engineer, Pump Technician (formerly Pumpman)/Machinist, and any QMED rating (noting that QMED endorsement requires holding all five ratings: Oiler, Fireman/Watertender, Junior Engineer, Pumpman/Machinist, and Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer),OR
• Deck Engineer, Machinist, Pumpman, or Millwright with experience with machinery located on the deck and other areas outside of the main engine room. This includes equipment like cranes, winches, elevators, and the machinery associated with underway replenishment (UNREP),
• Former or current U.S. Navy Engineman (EN) or Machinist's Mate (MM) or other branches of the Military with experience related to deck engineer machinist, with experience with machinery located on the deck and other areas outside of the main engine room. This includes equipment like cranes, winches, elevators, and the machinery associated with underway replenishment (UNREP); and minimum 4 (four)years combined sea service assigned to a ship OR
• Minimum of 4 years of cumulative sea duty aboard ocean-going vessels that operate in international waters.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with UNREP systems or cargo handling machinery
• Background in technical or industrial maintenance environments
• Experience with shipboard maintenance documentation and diagnostics