Manager, Engineering

Crowley; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Crowley is seeking an experienced Marine Engineering Operations Leader in Norfolk, VA to manage a vessel fleet's engineering activities, budgets, and staffing. You will provide technical direction for vessel acquisitions, drydocks, and regulatory compliance, coordinating with Coast Guard, ABS, shipyards, and customers to ensure timely, safe, and compliant execution.

The role requires strong leadership, 5+ years in supervisory marine engineering, and a Bachelor's degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of supervisory marine engineering experience.
• Experience with vessel acquisitions, activations, and drydock projects.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee marine engineering operations for a vessel fleet/region, supervising staff, maintenance, and budgets.
• Provide technical leadership for vessel acquisitions, planning, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management.
• Serve as engineering advisor to leadership on readiness, risk, and long-term fleet sustainment.
• Coordinate with Coast Guard, ABS, shipyards, and customers to secure approvals and certifications.
• Develop work packages, schedules, and budgets; monitor performance and risks.
• Mentor Technical Supervisors, Port Engineers, and Vessel Engineers to strengthen capabilities.

Skills

Marine engineering

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

ABS Nautical Systems

MS Excel

Job description

Who We Are

As a privately held, U.S.-owned and operated company, Crowley provides services to 36 nations and island territories. Our purpose is to bravely advance what's possible to elevate people and planet, with our core values of Integrity, Sustainability and Drive guiding everything we do.

Overview

By expanding and innovating our services, we have expanded our footprint in services within the Logistics, Land Transportation, Shipping, Wind and Fuel industries. Crowley and its affiliated companies have generated more than $3.5 billion in annual revenue through our people's focus on excellence and a culture that values everyone's voices and collaboration.

To continue laying the groundwork and challenge what's possible for our business, we seek to partner with individuals ready to elevate their careers with us.

Work Arrangement

On-Site

What You'll Do

Responsible for managing marine engineering operations for a specific vessel fleet or region, including, but not limited to supervision of employees’ performance and development, equipment maintenance and modification, and administration of assigned budget(s).

Provides technical leadership for the Vessel Acquisition Management (VAM) program by overseeing vessel technical evaluations, engineering planning, reflag activities, regulatory compliance, drydock execution, and technical readiness. Serves as the primary engineering authority supporting vessel acquisition, activation, and lifecycle management while coordinating with internal stakeholders, regulatory agencies, classification societies, shipyards, and customers to ensure successful execution of program objectives.

Acts as the principal engineering advisor to the Director, Fleet Operations, providing technical recommendations supporting vessel acquisition strategy, engineering execution, regulatory compliance, vessel readiness, long-term fleet sustainment, and customer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Ensure work is being performed in compliance with company standards as well as local, state, and/or federal guidelines and regulations. Analyze services provided by vendors, negotiate rates and recommend changes when appropriate. Evaluate shipyard bid packages and recommend awards. Assist in maintaining staffing levels of trained marine engineers. Assist with development, enhancement and implementation of policies, procedures and vessel standards.

Program-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead technical evaluations of candidate vessels to determine suitability for intended government service.
• Develop, review, and approve engineering specifications supporting vessel acquisition, reflagging, repairs, modifications, vessel activation, and modernization.
• Oversee engineering planning and execution for vessel availabilities, drydock periods, major repairs, and modernization projects.
• Coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard, ABS, shipyards, and other regulatory agencies to obtain required approvals, certifications, surveys, and closeout of deficiencies.
• Review vessel survey reports, prior owner documentation, engineering records, and technical assessments to develop work packages, schedules, budgets, and engineering risk assessments.
• Establish and maintain preventive maintenance strategies, engineering standards, equipment baselines, and reliability initiatives across the assigned fleet.
• Direct, mentor, and provide technical oversight to Technical Supervisors, Port Engineers, Project Engineers, and vessel engineering personnel.
• Lead engineering risk assessments and provide recommendations to program leadership regarding vessel readiness, engineering priorities, technical risks, and lifecycle planning.
• Coordinate engineering requirements with Supply Chain, Contracts, Finance, Program Management, Operations, and external stakeholders to ensure timely execution of engineering activities.
• Monitor engineering performance, project schedules, budgets, technical execution, and program risks while providing routine status updates to senior leadership and customers.
• Support development of Statements of Work (SOWs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), technical evaluations, acquisition strategies, and engineering recommendations for vessel procurement, reflagging, maintenance, modernization, and recapitalization efforts.
• Serve as the primary engineering representative to MARAD, the U.S. Coast Guard, ABS, shipyards, and other external stakeholders, ensuring timely communication, technical issue resolution, and successful execution of program objectives.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable company policies, contractual requirements, regulatory standards, and customer expectations.

Education & Credentials

Bachelor's degree; or a combination of post-high school and equal experience may be substituted for education.

Experience

5+ years of related marine engineering experience in a supervisory capacity.

Technical Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Outlook and Word. Proficiency in maintenance, repair, and ship management software, such as ABS Nautical Systems 5 is preferred.

Other

Valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Licensed as a marine engineer by the U.S. Coast Guard (preferred). Subject to a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check to obtain your driving history.

Competencies

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to prioritize, organize and perform multiple work assignments simultaneously. Ability to train and direct the work of others. Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, goals, and objectives. Ability to effectively manage projects that may vary in nature and scope. Knowledge of and ability to identify safety hazards and necessary safety precautions to establish a safe work environment. Knowledge of federal, state and local safety regulations, protocols, and procedures as they pertain to environmental health standards. Knowledge of procurement, budgeting and administrative management. Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of marine engineering.

Additional Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard inspection requirements, vessel reflagging, statutory certification, and classification society requirements.
• Experience managing engineering support for vessel acquisitions, vessel activations, drydock availabilities, and complex repair projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance technical, financial, operational, and regulatory priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively to executive leadership, customers, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills with the ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop engineering strategies that support program objectives while managing schedule, cost, technical, and operational risk.

Working Conditions

Works both inside an office environment and also outside in conditions of both high and low temperatures. May be exposed to odors, dust, dirt, mechanical hazards, high noise levels and potentially dangerous equipment. Must be able to crouch and stoop to get into areas with restricted headroom and be able to climb ladders. May require extended use of computer keyboard and viewing of computer monitor and ability to sit for long periods of time.

What We Offer

We inspire top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive package that supports the diverse needs of our people—on land, at sea, in offices, and remotely.

Our Total Rewards Include

• Competitive pay with recognition programs
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, and paid vacation and holidays
• Leave and family support: parental leave and sick leave
• Learning and growth: access to training and development for continuous skill development
• Well-being resources: Employee Assistance Program, wellness program, and gym membership discounts

At Crowley, we invest in you—your success, your health, and your future.