Port Engineer

Manthey Hospitality; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Manthey Hospitality in Tampa, FL is seeking a hands-on Port Engineer to lead the mechanical maintenance for our Florida fleet, including Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi, Lost Pearl, and Craft. This role blends technical mastery with day-to-day leadership.

You will troubleshoot, repair, and prevent downtime on engines, generators, pumps, plumbing, HVAC, and other onboard systems, supervise a small team, and coordinate larger repairs while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with marine diesel engines and vessel mechanical systems.
• Ability to lead maintenance teams and own operational outcomes.
• Experience with generators, pumps, plumbing, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC, and related marine systems.
• Previous experience leading maintenance technicians, engineers, or skilled trades.
• Experience in commercial passenger vessel, maritime, shipyard, marina operations preferred.
• Ability to read technical manuals, schematics, and maintenance documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical reliability and maintenance schedules for Florida vessels and related equipment.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and oversee repairs of engines, generators, pumps, and onboard systems.
• Lead a team of engineers, maintenance technicians, dockworkers, and welders.
• Maintain maintenance records, parts inventories, and work orders; ensure safety and quality.
• Coordinate purchasing and ensure critical parts and supplies are available.
• Work with Captains and leadership to prioritize vessel needs and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Marine diesel engines

Diagnostics

Vessel mechanical systems

Maintenance team leadership

PM & Project mgmt

Technical manuals & schematics

Communication

Crew management

Job description

Description

Port Engineer

Manthey Hospitality | Tampa, FL | Full-Time

Manthey Hospitality is seeking an experienced, hands-on Port Engineer to lead the mechanical maintenance and technical support of our Florida fleet and waterfront operations. This position supports all four of our Florida brands: Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi, Lost Pearl, and Craft.

This is not a desk-based engineering position. The Port Engineer is both the lead technical expert and the day-to-day leader of our maintenance team. The right candidate will be equally comfortable troubleshooting a mechanical failure, turning a wrench, working in an engine room, managing a repair project, and directing a team.

What You'll Do

The Port Engineer will take ownership of the mechanical reliability, preventative maintenance, repair, and technical readiness of our Florida vessels and related equipment. Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the lead technician and primary technical resource for mechanical issues across all Florida brands.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and oversee repairs involving vessel engines, generators, pumps, plumbing, hydraulic systems, electrical components, HVAC, and other onboard mechanical systems.
• Lead and work alongside a small team of engineers, maintenance technicians, dockworkers, and welders.
• Establish daily priorities and assign work based on operational needs, preventative maintenance schedules, vessel availability, and urgency.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and identify problems before they become operational failures.
• Respond quickly to mechanical issues that could impact vessel operations, safety, or scheduled cruises.
• Coordinate larger repairs, maintenance periods, haul-outs, vendor work, and technical projects.
• Inspect completed work and hold the team accountable for quality, safety, documentation, and timely completion.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, repair histories, parts inventories, inspection documentation, and work orders.
• Coordinate purchasing and ensure critical parts, tools, and maintenance supplies are available.
• Work closely with Captains, Marine Operations leadership, and company leadership to prioritize vessel needs and communicate mechanical concerns.
• Support regulatory inspections and ensure vessel maintenance practices align with applicable USCG requirements and company standards.
• Assist with dock, facility, fabrication, welding, and other maintenance projects as operational needs require.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe maintenance, shop, dock, and work areas.

This Is a Hands-On Leadership Role

We want candidates to understand the nature of this position before applying. The Port Engineer is expected to lead from the front.

You will supervise employees, manage projects, establish priorities, and hold the maintenance team accountable, but you will also personally perform mechanical work. On any given day, you may move from planning a major repair project to troubleshooting an engine, working in a tight machinery space, helping a technician complete a repair, or responding to an unexpected vessel issue.

This is also a physically demanding marine environment. The position requires regular walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, working aboard vessels and docks, navigating stairs and ladders, and working in engine rooms and other confined or physically challenging spaces. Work may occur outdoors and in hot, humid, wet, noisy, or otherwise demanding conditions.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate brings strong marine mechanical knowledge combined with the ability to lead people and take ownership of an operation.

• Significant hands-on experience with marine diesel engines and vessel mechanical systems required.
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with generators, pumps, plumbing, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC, and related marine systems strongly preferred.
• Previous experience leading maintenance technicians, engineers, mechanics, or other skilled trades employees.
• Commercial passenger vessel, maritime, shipyard, marina, or similar marine operations experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read technical manuals, schematics, maintenance documentation, and equipment specifications.
• Strong preventative maintenance and project-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing maintenance needs across multiple vessels and brands.
• Comfortable coordinating outside contractors, vendors, parts suppliers, and specialized repair services.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Captains, operations leaders, technicians, and senior management.
• Willingness to be hands-on and personally participate in repairs and maintenance.
• Ability to respond appropriately when urgent mechanical issues arise outside the normal maintenance schedule.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Port Engineer doesn't simply fix equipment after it breaks. This person builds a maintenance operation that keeps our vessels safe, reliable, compliant, and ready for service.

You will be expected to know the condition of the fleet, anticipate upcoming maintenance needs, develop your team, maintain accountability, reduce preventable downtime, and ensure mechanical issues are followed through from identification to resolution.

Why Manthey Hospitality?

Manthey Hospitality operates some of Tampa Bay's most recognizable on-the-water hospitality experiences. This position provides the opportunity to take technical ownership of a diverse fleet supporting Yacht StarShip, Pirate Water Taxi, Lost Pearl, and Craft, while leading and developing a skilled maintenance team.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits for eligible employees, paid time off, 401(k) opportunities, employee discounts and experiences, and opportunities for continued growth within our organization.

This position is safety-sensitive and is subject to applicable USCG regulated drug and alcohol testing requirements.

Manthey Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature of the position and are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.