Vessel Engineering Manager

Matson, Inc.; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Matson, Inc. seeks a Vessel Engineering Manager to lead the engineering team, safeguard schedule integrity, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective maintenance across the fleet.

You will oversee vessel maintenance and repair, manage budgets, ensure safety and environmental compliance, recruit and develop senior engineers, and communicate plans and results to stakeholders to support reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Licensed USCG Chief Engineer (Unlimited Steam and Motor).
• Experience overseeing shipboard maintenance and repair administration.
• Familiarity with Nautical Systems Enterprise (NSE).
• Proficiency in MS Project for planning and execution.
• Strong documentation and analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel with pivot tables.
• Expertise in MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Verify vessel schedule integrity by monitoring daily performance.
• Approve maintenance plans in line with fleet objectives.
• Coordinate emergent maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Communicate repair plans and timelines to stakeholders.
• Manage Port Engineer schedules for resources.
• Develop lay period lists for dry dock planning.
• Provide timely reporting through dashboards and reports.
• Oversee senior engineering personnel onboard and performance reviews.
• Develop and manage annual vessel budgets.
• Audit vendor deliverables and invoices for accuracy.
• Monitor purchase orders for cost control.
• Prepare Capital Expenditure Requests for upgrades.
• Implement and refine Safety Management System policies.
• Ensure environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain regulatory certificates and participate in Marine Safety Committee.

Skills

USCG Chief Engineer license

Vessel operations familiarity

NSE proficiency

MS Project

Documentation skills

Excel pivot tables

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

*Position at Matson Navigation Company, Inc*

About Us

Matson has been the leading ocean shipping and logistics provider throughout the Pacific since 1882. We are the supply chain lifeline for Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and islands of the South Pacific. We also offer the top two ocean shipping services in the world's largest trade lane - Asia to the U.S. West Coast. With our subsidiaries Matson Terminals and Matson Logistics, our business focus is exceeding customer expectations with quality, reliability, and integrity.

We strive to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner and promote land-based environmental programs in Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska. We help improve the communities in which we work and live through our community giving program that annually supports hundreds of local organizations.

Matson is honored to be certified as a Great Place to Work. Our team of dedicated and talented employees consistently deliver exceptional results for our customers and the communities in which we serve.

Learn more at matson.com.

About the Role

The Vessel Engineering Manager provides strategic leadership to the engineering team, ensuring vessel schedule integrity, regulatory compliance, and cost effective maintenance operations.

What You'll Do

The position reports to the Director of Engineering. The position is responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of vessel maintenance and repair (M&R) of the vessels, including safety, financial, accounting, engineering, and personnel management, including the following:

• Operational Management
• Verify vessel schedule integrity by monitoring daily performance and identifying potential disruptions.
• Approve Port Engineer maintenance plans to align with fleet objectives and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate emergent maintenance solutions to minimize downtime.
• Communicate repair plans and timelines to stakeholders for transparency.
• Manage Port Engineer schedules for optimal resource allocation.
• Develop lay period work lists for interim dry dock planning.
• Provide timely reporting through daily, weekly, and monthly updates.
• Oversee senior engineering personnel onboard, including recruitment/selection, training, and preparation of performance reviews.
• Financial Management
• Develop and manage annual vessel budgets aligned with operational goals.
• Audit vendor deliverables and invoices to ensure accuracy and prevent overbilling; resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Monitor purchase order performance for cost control and accountability.
• Prepare and submit Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs) for planned and emergent upgrades.
• Compliance and Safety
• Implement and refine policies supporting the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Ensure environmental stewardship in all vessel operations.
• Maintain regulatory certificates and verify compliance with classification requirements.
• Monitor safety compliance as a member of the Marine Safety Committee meetings.

You Have These Skills

Licensed USCG Chief Engineer, Unlimited Steam and Motor (First Assistant or Chief Engineer preferred).

Familiarity with all aspects of vessel operations and technical management for modern US flag containerships.

Experienced in overseeing shipboard maintenance and repair administration through Nautical Systems Enterprise (NSE).

Proficient in project management with expertise in MS Project for planning and execution.

Excellent ability to craft clear, concise documentation and apply critical analysis to complex problems.

Strong Excel capabilities with hands‑on experience in pivot tables for analytical and reporting tasks.

Strong expertise in Micros