Job Details

Assistant Port Engineer

The Assistant Port Engineer is responsible for determining priorities for vessels, creating clear action plans, and ensuring vessels are operated and maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and customer expectations. The role involves diagnosing problems, facilitating efficient repairs of machinery and mechanical equipment, maintaining familiarity with all vessel machinery and systems, and following safety practices to protect personnel, public, and the environment. This position reports directly to the Port Engineer.

Our companys values are Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. We live these values every day and look for people who share them as we Share Americas Story on the Finest American Ships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with the Port Engineer and the Director of Engineering to establish off?season repair and associated project management.


• Works with the Port Engineer to schedule and oversee dry?dock events.


• Responsible for the safe repair of all engines, auxiliary machinery, and related systems on American Cruise Lines motor vessels and related facilities.


• Contributes to the safe operation of vessels and equipment.


• Responds decisively and effectively to emergency situations.


• Maintains familiarity with individual vessel characteristics.


• Coordinates after?hour repairs to vessels and related equipment.


• Supports the onboard engineers in conducting repairs to the vessels when there is a mechanical failure.


• Oversees engineers and fleet technicians on the East Coast.


• Oversees and executes annual and monthly preventative maintenance plans, directs seasonal facilities support activities, including offseason servicing of equipment, systems, and infrastructure.


• Uses computer maintenance programs to monitor progress of and manage work orders.


• Seeks to balance quality and cost in all purchases required by the department, follows all American Cruise Lines guidelines for purchase approvals, and manages vendor relationships.


• Ensures vessel fleet availability and reliability.


• Visits each ship at least twice a month, including a full ship condition inspection on each visit.


• Prepares specifications and work orders for maintenance and repair items necessary to maintain the vessel and bring them into regulatory compliance.


• Ensures the Planned Maintenance Program is maintained and followed by all personnel to include on?board engineers.


• Maintains responsibility for record keeping, including machinery history, parts inventory, and reporting data to the Port Engineer.


• Assists with the maintenance of vessel engines, auxiliary machinery, and related systems when needed.


• Helps diagnose malfunctions and provides recommendations for a course of action to the Port Engineer.


• Attends ship maintenance, repair, and assessment events to answer real?time questions surrounding logistics, maintenance scope, funding shortfalls, budgetary constraints, and mission impacts.


• Performs all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established company policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Leadership ability.


• Ability to diagnose machinery malfunctions and recommend a course of corrective action.


• Ability to read and understand blueprints and machinery systems technical manuals.


• Ability to work on various computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and HelmConnect.


• Ability to read and understand repair manuals.


• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Typical Work Environments

• This position includes a high level of travel to Fleet Concentration Support areas.


• Frequent underway time for sea trials, testing, inspections, ship checks, and other events as needed.


• Attends ship deployments including port?to?port transfers, sea trials, mid?deployment ship checks, and sister ship visits.


• Maintenance shop, paint shop, various buildings, and storage areas.


• Vessel engine room, bow thruster space, and various void spaces throughout vessel.

Licenses, Registrations, and/or Certifications

• Valid drivers license.


• Valid TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card).

Required Education and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old.


• High school diploma or equivalent or related experience.

Additional Requirements

• Subject to a background investigation.


• Subject to a pre?employment physical.


• Ability to frequently traverse stairs, fixed ladders, and ladder?wells while walking ships on a daily basis.


• Wherewithal to spend several consecutive days at sea while underway as needed.


• Capable of sitting for long periods of time, standing, walking, crouching, and kneeling.


• Reaching, handling, using equipment, keyboards, and mobile devices.


• Lifting boxes (files and supplies) up to 20 lbs.


• Must be located in the Central U.S. region.


• This position requires 50?75% of travel to ships.

Why Join American Cruise Lines

At American Cruise Lines, our people are the driving force behind our success. As the nations leader in U.S. river cruising, were experiencing rapid growth and were investing in top talent to grow with us. When you join our team, youll find a dynamic work environment that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence, with real opportunities to build your career and make an impact.