Port Engineer - Pierce County Ferry

Hornblower Corp; Steilacoom (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hornblower Group is seeking a Port Engineer to coordinate and supervise maintenance and repair of project vessels, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. You will manage the preventative maintenance program, vendor relations, and critical spares while guiding the engineering team.

You will also assist in budget development and cost control, monitor vessel performance, and promote a proactive safety culture across shipboard operations.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred.
• U.S.C.G. license endorsed as C/E Unlimited horsepower or equivalent.
• TWIC and ability to obtain
• First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain
• Valid Driver’s License
• Copy of DD214 for veterans (if applicable)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in passenger vessel industry is required.
• 3+ years as Senior Engineer or higher on large vessels.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, supervise and document maintenance and repair of project vessels.
• Establish procedures and manage preventative maintenance and capital planning.
• Develop vendor/contractor relationships and manage critical spares inventories.
• Assist with budget development and cost control.
• Supervise engineering staff and ensure safety and compliance.
• Maintain vessel maintenance logs and engineering records.
• Oversee training programs and drills in line with policies.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

MS Office

Passenger vessel experience

Crew management

Problem solving

Education

HS Diploma

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

HMS Global Maritime Pierce County WA, 56 Union Ave, Steilacoom, Washington, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems . Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfrontlogisticsand management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation,ticketingand website integration services for clients in the transportation,tourismand entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’sadditionalcorporate officesresidein San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visithornblowercorp.com.

Position Summary:

The Port Engineer coordinates, supervises and documents maintenance and repair functions associated with the operation of project vessels. This position establishes departmental procedures and ensures associated training and compliance while managing the preventative maintenance program and capital planning activities. The Port Engineer is responsible for vendor and contractor relationship development. Additionally, this position establishes and manages critical spares and consumable inventories, reviews and monitors work requests and ensures machinery history is maintained. The Port Engineer also assists with departmental budget development and tracking while striving to achieve the highest level of cost efficiency, all while supervising the Engineers.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Remain true to and champion the Company’s Core Values and Code of Conduct
• Safety First – Safety shall remain the highest priority at all times. Be an active advocate of, and participant in, the HMS Safety Culture
• Consider reliability and efficiency with regard to Company operations
• Ensure vessel(s) is operated within all pertinent laws, regulations and guidelines mandated by federal, state or local agencies as well as the dictates of prudent marine practice
• Ensure safety of guests and fellow-workers is maximized through careful and vigorous administration and enforcement of safety policies and guidelines
• Demonstrate practical knowledge of all phases of shipboard safety procedures and knowledge of location and use of all firefighting and safety equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers, life preservers, work vest).
• Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Handle and dispose of all chemicals and other types of hazardous or caustic materials in compliance with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) (as required).
• Report safety related concerns
• Implement and monitor the client provided Preventative Maintenance Program
• Know and utilize the Company SMS (Safety Management System). Ensure that engineer qualified deck hands do as well.
• Periodically inspect machinery spaces for cleanliness, environmental, safety and health deficiencies
• Monitor the completion of maintenance and repair tasks by Company personnel and outside contractors
• Continually evaluate engineering personnel proficiency and provide instructions/guidance for areas of Encourage and monitor shipboard engineering staff for career advancement.
• Investigate machinery casualties to determine Where appropriate, incorporate findings in engineering and machinery procedures.
• Lead and motivate shipboard crew and personnel to perform their duties with professionalism, accuracy and enthusiasm
• Monitor uniform standards of maintenance personnel and shipboard crew
• Assist with candidate sourcing, interviewing, hiring and orientation of crew designated to work in the machinery spaces
• Know and adhere to the contents of the Employee Handbook and adhere to those requirements
• Develop and promote engineering management systems at the project site
• Support and maintain consistency among engineering training programs at the project site and throughout the Company
• Ensure engineering training and drills are conducted in accordance with company policies, regulatory requirements and best management practices
• Conduct appropriate testing and trend analysis
• Assist other project site managers to ensure vessels and facilities are in compliance with applicable regulations and all inspections and certificates are current and available for inspection
• Provide guidance and assistance in the vessel overhaul process, to include: project planning, definition of work, assistance with technical specifications, definitions of ship’s force projects, and assist with materials/vendor sourcing.
• Work with regulatory bodies during drills and inspections
• Develop positive working relationships with the client, vendors, contractors and regulatory agencies
• Develop and manage work orders in HELM and issue maintenance and repair assignments.
• Maintain machinery history
• Develop and maintain standards for engineering logs and vessel maintenance records
• Assist with budget development and responsible for M&R expenditures, cost control and budget tracking
• Communicate deficiencies of environmental, safety and health to the General Manager and Vessel Master
• Monitor corrective actions until complete
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel for meetings, conferences, training, and operational support as requested

Requirements & Qualifications:

• HS Diploma
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent of experience, from an accredited institution preferred
• U.S.C.G. license endorsed as C/E Unlimited Horsepower or equivalent industry experience
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card), and/or ability to obtain and maintain
• Valid First Aid/CPR Certification, and/or ability to obtain and maintain
• Valid Driver’s License
• Copy of DD214, if Veteran status
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to effectively interact with the passengers, guests, and fellow employees.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, quickly-changing environment
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion to develop and execute innovative solutions to crew management and morale issues
• Demonstrated ability to bring increased value to task through efficiencies and cost-control
• Computer proficient with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• 10 years’ experience in the passenger vessel industry demonstrating the ability to handle growing levels of responsibility
• 3 years’ experience as Senior Engineer or above on large passenger vessels or equivalent experience
• Specific training and experience in management of major on-board systems by type and brand
• Excellent career record in marine industry.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

#PierceCountyFerry

Hornblower will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with fair chance or other applicable laws and regulations.

The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.

HMS Global Maritime Pierce County WA, 56 Union Ave, Steilacoom, Washington, United States of America