Port Engineer

Mainstay Maritime; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainstay Maritime operates a fleet of commercial self-unloading bulk vessels in the Great Lakes region during the navigation season. This Toledo, OH-based role provides shore-side supervision for maintenance, budgets, and cost controls, reporting to the Assistant Vice-President of Fleet Engineering.

Based in Toledo, the role coordinates surveys, contractor management, and performance reviews, with travel 10–35%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related technical field preferred.
• Progressive experience leading maintenance, repair, engineering, operations, or technical teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, budgets, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams across vessel personnel and shore staff.
• Experience with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, automation, PLC, or other industrial systems preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office; experience with asset management and vessel management software (ABS Nautical Systems, Maximo, SAP PM).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Maritime industry experience or USCG licenses are assets but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise shore-side support for vessel maintenance and repair for three or four vessels.
• Maintain regular contact with vessel captains and chief engineers on structural and mechanical conditions.
• Assist in preparing winter maintenance and repair budgets and review purchasing requests.
• Lead or participate in studies to improve vessel operating efficiency and reduce costs.

Skills

Leadership experience

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Maritime industry awareness

Industrial systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

ABS Nautical Systems

Maximo

SAP PM

Job description

Mainstay Maritime operates a fleet of commercial self-unloading free flowing bulk vessels in the Great Lakes region during the navigation season (March to January). This position has four major functional responsibilities:

1. Manage shore-side support for all assigned vessel maintenance and repair activities during the sailing season and winter maintenance periods;

2. Maintain close contact with assigned vessels senior officers and an awareness of vessel mechanical and structural condition status;

3. Assist with the maintenance of vessel condition and machinery status records and the preparation of winter maintenance and capital improvement budgets;

4. Participate in vessel efficiency improvement an operating cost reduction studies and investigations as directed.

Key Job Activities:

Key Activities:

• Coordinates and manages shore-side support services for all aspects of vessel maintenance and repair, both during the regular sailing season and during the winter maintenance period for three or four assigned vessels. This includes arranging for regulatory and classification society surveys; hiring and coordinating contractors' activities; and reviewing and approving invoices for services to assure and support safe and efficient vessel operations as well as necessary control of maintenance and operating costs. The value of this supervised work is approximately $3MM per vessel, per year. Provides technical and resource support to vessel Captains and Chief Engineers for ship system and equipment operational and maintenance needs as necessary.
• Maintains close and regular contact with assigned vessel captains and chief engineers so as to maintain a familiarity with all matters of potential concern regarding vessel structural and mechanical condition. Assists with maintaining detailed records of major vessel equipment condition status as well as ships structural condition status. This accountability includes regular telephone communication with assigned vessels as well as periodic personal in-port visits and underway visits when possible.
• Assists with the detailed preparation of winter maintenance and repair budgets. Provides technical assistance to the Purchasing Department including the review and approval of requested supplies and services during the operating season responsible for the accurate and timely maintenance of financial records within ASC’s NS5 Maintenance and Purchasing system so as to assist in accurately reflecting financial status through close familiarity with assigned vessel condition, this accountability includes assisting with both short and long-term forecasts for structural and mechanical capital improvement needs.
• Actively participates in or leads studies and investigations as assigned into means by which to improve vessel operational efficiency and to reduce vessel operating costs.

Scope of Work:

1. This position is one of several in the company assigned with the task of closely guiding, supervising and monitoring all operational, structural and mechanical aspects of a group of assigned vessels. This work includes technical assistance to vessel officers, the arranging for and conducting of surveys; the arrangement and management of seasonal and winter maintenance activities, and the assisting with the preparation of vessel repair budgets. In addition, this position is charged with leading or supporting the pursuit of operating cost reduction and efficiency improvement activities as assigned. This position reports to the Assistant Vice-President of Fleet Engineering and supports the activities of Operations.

2. This position is based out of Toledo, OH. Assigned seasonal and winter supervisory activities may take place on vessels in any Great Lakes port.

3. This position has no direct reports but participates in the evaluation of the performance of assigned vessel Captains and Chief Engineers

Education and/or Experience Required (including certifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Marine Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, military experience, and progressive experience in vessel operations, maintenance, engineering, ship repair, industrial maintenance, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, or related industries will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Progressive experience leading maintenance, repair, engineering, operations, or technical teams in a maritime, industrial, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, power generation, heavy equipment, or related environment. Supervisory, project management, or operational leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and technical skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, budgets, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proven ability to effectively lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams, while fostering collaboration among vessel personnel, shore-based employees, contractors, and vendors.
• Experience with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, automation, PLC, control, or other industrial systems is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams. Experience with maintenance management, asset management, ERP, or vessel management software such as ABS Nautical Systems, Maximo, SAP PM, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to employees, leadership, vendors, customers, and regulatory agencies.
• Maritime industry experience, USCG engineering licenses, shipyard experience, or vessel maintenance experience are considered strong assets but are not required.

Other (i.e., physical requirements, travel, etc. that is not covered above):

A level of fitness and stamina which allows for vigorous shipboard activity, irregular working hours and extensive travel is required. Specifically:

• 10% to 35% of time will be spent on travel.
• Must be eligible to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (“TWIC”) from the US Department of Homeland Security.
• Must be eligible to enter Canada.
• Must be able to travel to shipyards, ports and docks in the Great Lakes region.
• Must be able to board vessels using steep ladders and climb stairs and ladders when aboard the vessels.
• NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.