Chief Engineer Jobs

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This is not a single vacancy with a fixed joining date: apply to be considered for upcoming Chief Engineer vacancies.

What a Chief Engineer does

The chief engineer is the head of the engine department and responsible for all machinery on board: main engine, generators, boilers, steering gear, pumps, purifiers and the electrical plant. The job covers the planned maintenance system, fuel and lubricating oil management, bunkering, spare parts and budgets, compliance with MARPOL (oil record book, emissions) and the technical side of surveys and inspections. The chief engineer reports to the master and to the company’s technical superintendent.

Certificates required

Certificate of Competency as Chief Engineer Officer (STCW Reg. III/2) for ships of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more, or STCW Reg. III/3 for 750 to 3,000 kW
Management-level training of the flag state, including leadership and managerial skills and high-voltage systems (over 1,000 V) under the 2010 amendments
Advanced fire fighting (STCW Reg. VI/3)
Medical first aid (STCW Reg. VI/4)
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (STCW Reg. VI/2)
Basic Training (STCW Reg. VI/1): personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities
Proficiency in designated security duties (STCW Reg. VI/6)
Seafarer medical certificate (STCW Reg. I/9 and MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2), valid for a maximum of 2 years
Flag endorsement (STCW Reg. I/10) if the ship flies a different flag from the country that issued your certificate
On tankers and gas carriers: advanced tanker endorsement (STCW Reg. V/1-1 or V/1-2); on gas-fuelled ships: IGF Code advanced training (STCW Reg. V/3)

Sea service and promotion

STCW Reg. III/2 requires at least 36 months of approved seagoing service as engineer officer, reduced to 24 months if at least 12 of them were served as second engineer. Most companies promote chief engineers from second engineers who know their engine type (for example MAN B&W or WinGD two-stroke engines).

Typical ships

Contract length

Commonly 3 to 6 months, set by the employer for each vacancy. MLC 2006 limits continuous service on board to less than 12 months before the seafarer is entitled to repatriation.