Port Engineer

T‑Solutions is a woman‑owned, veteran‑owned business based in Chesapeake, Virginia. We provide global services and innovative technical solutions for government contracting, specializing in defense, security, maintenance engineering, logistics, and business transformation. Our team of highly qualified professionals delivers mission‑critical support with integrity and excellence.

Career Opportunity

The Port Engineer serves as T‑Solutions’ onboard representative, ensuring the operational readiness of assigned ships. The role involves routine validation of shipboard conditions, leading a maintenance team, and acting as the primary liaison for the Type Commander (TYCOM) and the Commanding Officer on all off‑ship maintenance and modernization efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage an online database for all jobs.
• Validate work requests, assign preliminary estimates, and plan prioritized work packages within budget and time constraints for TYCOM approval.
• Review work specifications, coordinate schedules with repair activities, oversee repairs, and provide input for all maintenance funding decisions.
• Meet daily with the ship’s crew, department heads, and commanding officers.
• Review implementation, challenges, opportunities, and resources related to the Consolidated Ship’s Maintenance Plan.
• Recommend suggestions and edits to the Ship’s Force when current content is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Provide risk assessment and prioritization to the vessel’s commanding officer using the approved TYCOM format for all on‑ and off‑ship maintenance requirements.
• Attend weekly status meetings and supply requested information to support maintenance planning and corrective maintenance recommendations.
• Participate in ship maintenance, repair, and assessment events to answer real‑time questions on logistics, maintenance scope, funding shortfalls, budgetary constraints, and mission impacts.
• Develop agendas and present details on the Planning Board for Maintenance, de‑conflicting planned and unplanned operational, schedule, and work integration issues.
• Perform a weekly review and ship check, including personal observations and discussions of all assessments and planned requirements.
• Review the entire maintenance process.
• Provide an annual prioritized list for all off‑ship maintenance requirements to develop the Maintenance and Modernization Business Plan.
• Develop recommendations for authorized work packages within TYCOM’s established funding controls.
• Provide a business case analysis in the prescribed TYCOM format when recommending changes to the business plan.
• Provide funding shift recommendations for efficient execution of availabilities.
• Adhere to contractual requirements for government clients.
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established company policies.

Travel

• Low level travel (5‑15%) to Fleet Concentration Support areas.
• Frequent underway time for sea trials, testing, inspections, ship checks, and other events as needed.
• Attend ship deployments, including port‑to‑port transfers, sea trials, mid‑deployment ship checks, sister‑ship visits, and mid‑deployment voyage repairs.

Education, Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Marine Third Assistant Engineer (unlimited) or higher with a minimum of two years sea time as a USCG‑licensed merchant marine engineer (license may be active or inactive).
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent marine engineering degree.
• Knowledge of and recent experience in commercial maritime, U.S. Navy (USN), USCG, Military Sealift Command (MSC), or NOAA ship maintenance and repair.
• Combined recent professional maritime experience of five years or more, **or** USN/USCG Officer (03 or higher), Limited Duty Officer (LDO) or Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) with a minimum of two sea tours (or combination of tours as Chief Engineer (CHENG) and/or Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA)).
• Minimum of four years recent experience in commercial maritime, USN, USCG, MSC, or NOAA ship maintenance and repair, which may include time on a Navy Regional Maintenance Center (RMC) or TYCOM engineering staff.
• In lieu of USCG sea time, a minimum of five years recent experience in a project‑management position for commercial maritime, USN, USCG, MSC, or NOAA ship maintenance and repair.
• Minimum eight years in a project‑management position for commercial maritime, USN, USCG, MSC, or NOAA ship maintenance and repair.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance is highly desired; candidates eligible to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance will be considered.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to various work locations.
• Valid passport or ability to obtain one.
• Capability to communicate with supervisor/manager when not in the office using business‑related equipment and services.
• Compensation includes incidental costs for work‑related usage of personal devices.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to traverse stairs, fixed ladders, and ladder wells frequently while walking ships daily.
• Willingness to spend several consecutive days at sea while underway as needed.
• Capability to sit for long periods, stand, walk, crouch, and kneel.
• Ability to reach, handle, and use equipment, keyboards, and mobile devices.
• Ability to lift boxes (files and supplies) up to 20 lb.

Pay

In compliance with Virginia’s Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is $115,000 – $141,000 per year (minimum excludes applicable benefits, bonuses, or performance spot awards). Offer amounts consider role responsibilities, experience, education/training, and key skills.