OPS / Temporary Marine Chief Engineer

About the role

The OPS Marine Chief Engineer ensures the safe, reliable, compliant, and mission-ready operation of all engineering systems aboard FIO research vessel(s), both in port and at sea. This position serves as the senior engineering representative aboard the vessel, responsible for routine, preventive, and corrective maintenance of vessel propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, damage control, potable water, sewage, and auxiliary systems. The role includes significant administrative and management functions such as preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, equipment records, repair planning, spare parts and inventory control, shipyard work list development, regulatory inspection support, safety compliance, vendor coordination, and training or mentoring assigned engineering personnel.

The OPS Marine Chief Engineer works closely with the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, Assistant Engineer, deck department, science users, contractors, and shoreside support personnel to ensure FIO vessels are prepared to safely and effectively support research, education, outreach, and marine operations.

Responsibilities

• Repair, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate main diesel engines, ship service generators, air compressors, pumps, motors, piping systems, and other mechanical equipment aboard marine vessels at sea and in port (35%).
• Install, repair, and maintain vessel systems including hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, fuel, pneumatic, potable water, sewage, bilge, steering, auxiliary, and damage-control systems.
• Perform routine shipboard maintenance in port, including preservation, de-scaling, painting, cleaning, and operation of portable hand and power tools.
• Ensure engineering spaces and equipment are maintained in a safe, orderly, and mission-ready condition.
• Manage engineering department administrative functions, including preventive maintenance tracking, engineering logs, machinery records, fuel and fluid records, equipment operating hours, repair history, deferred maintenance items, inspection findings, and corrective actions (25%).
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance schedules based on manufacturer guidance, regulatory requirements, vessel operating hours, calendar intervals, and equipment condition.
• Maintain accurate documentation suitable for management review, audits, inspections, surveys, and long-term vessel lifecycle planning.
• Plan, coordinate, and support vessel repair periods, shipyard work, dry dock maintenance, contractor support, and between-cruise maintenance availabilities (15%).
• Identify engineering deficiencies, prepare repair recommendations, assist with work lists and scopes of work, support procurement of parts and services, coordinate vendor access, monitor contractor work, and verify completion of repairs before equipment is returned to service.
• Provide technical input to the Vessel Captain, Marine Operations Manager, Fleet Readiness Manager, and other shoreside personnel regarding vessel readiness, repair priorities, lifecycle replacement needs, and operational limitations.
• Train, mentor, and provide daily direction to the Assistant Engineer and other assigned engineering personnel (10%).
• Assign engineering tasks, monitor work quality, support qualification development, and ensure personnel understand vessel-specific systems, safe work practices, machinery-space procedures, casualty response, and emergency engineering operations.
• Promote professional standards, accountability, and safety within the engineering department.
• Support regulatory compliance, inspections, surveys, and safety management requirements related to vessel engineering systems (5%).
• Assist with U.S. Coast Guard, ABS/class, load line, environmental, university, and FIO compliance activities as applicable.
• Maintain or support maintenance of required engineering records, technical manuals, inspection documentation, certificates, placards, and equipment records.
• Track deficiencies and corrective actions related to engineering systems, safety equipment, pollution prevention, and emergency readiness.
• Manage shipboard engineering inventory, spare parts, tools, lubricants, filters, belts, hoses, fittings, fluids, hazardous materials, and mission-critical consumables (5%).
• Identify minimum stock levels, submit purchase requests, provide technical specifications for procurement, track usage of supplies, and ensure parts and materials are properly stored, labeled, and available to support vessel readiness.
• Support budget planning by identifying recurring maintenance costs, critical spares, anticipated repairs, and lifecycle replacement needs.
• Assist the Captain, Mate, deck department, and science party with routine vessel operations and scientific mission support as needed (5%).
• Support launching and recovery of over-the-side scientific equipment using cranes, winches, nets, small boats, A-frames, or related equipment.
• Assist with line handling, winch operation, anchor handling, small boat operations, fueling, energizing and securing machinery, watchkeeping support during inclement weather, and other duties necessary to safely support vessel operations on a non-stable platform in all types of weather.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or designee.

Requirements

• High School Degree and minimum of four years of experience assigned as an Assistant or Chief Engineer.
• Experience must include demonstrated ability to maintain engineering logs, document repairs and maintenance, support preventive maintenance programs, troubleshoot vessel systems, and work safely aboard marine vessels in port and at sea.
• Certifications for Standards for Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW-95/BST), Basic Safety Training, first aid, and CPR must be achieved within 3 months of employment.
• Valid driver’s license and U.S. passport at the time of hire.
• Level 1 background screening and drug screening required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an academic, research, or educational vessel environment with students, researchers, faculty, technicians, or science users.
• Experience with research vessel operations, marine diesel propulsion, and ship service generators.
• Experience with hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, fuel, plumbing, firefighting, sewage, potable water, bilge, steering, and auxiliary systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance systems and engineering recordkeeping.
• Experience with shipyard repair periods, dry dock planning, and contractor coordination.
• Experience with U.S. Coast Guard inspections, ABS/class surveys, load line requirements, or vessel safety management systems.
• Experience with scientific mission support, including cranes, winches, A-frames, small boats, over-the-side equipment, ROV/AUV support, and deck machinery.
• Experience training and mentoring assistant engineering personnel.
• Certifications for STCW Basic Safety Training, first aid, CPR, MMC Engine Dept, and TWIC card.

Skills

• Marine diesel engine maintenance and troubleshooting
• Ship service generator operation and repair
• Hydraulic, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fuel, firefighting, pneumatic, and damage-control system knowledge
• Preventive maintenance planning and documentation
• Engineering log keeping and regulatory record management
• Shipyard repair planning and contractor coordination
• Ability to work safely aboard vessels at sea and in port
• Ability to train and mentor assistant engineering personnel
• Familiarity with research vessel operations and over-the-side scientific mission support

About Us

The University of South Florida (USF) is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area, with approximately 16,000 employees. USF is dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged, and driven workforce. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities.

USF offers a first-class benefits package, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

USF is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee, and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is ranked the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S.

With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.