Technical Watch Officer - Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

American Cruise Lines is seeking shoreside Technical Watch Officer - Engineers for our Fleet Operations Center to support our growing fleet of small cruise ships sailing unique itineraries along inland and coastal waterways of the East Coast, Pacific Northwest, Columbia- Snake Rivers, Great Lakes, and Mississippi-Ohio-Cumberland Rivers. Our U.S flagged ships are state-of-the art designed for safe operation and five-star service to 100-200 guests.  This is a fully in-person role based in Guilford, CT.

Technical Watch Officer - Engineers report directly to the Fleet Operations Center Manager and are responsible for maintaining 24hr fleet support through proactive monitoring of weather forecasts, channel conditions, bridge-lock operations; together with tracking the status of vessels and routes to sustain safe, secure and consistent cruise operations. Watch Standers communicate regularly with vessel officers to manage routine and emergent situations. Watch Standers audit company and regulatory performance standards continually through oversight tools and technologies, supporting performance excellence while representing the company as a professional.

This role executes the current and future fleet Operations Center communication and oversight tasks, flexing daily requirements to sustain fleet execution of cruise schedule. Technical Watch Officer - Engineers maintain set watches and execute a framework of fleet and crew status-tracking-oversight-assessment tools and views to enable proactive real-time fleet operations management. Technical Watch Officer - Engineers maintain full real-time and 21-day outlook views for weather, tidal, river gage, lock-bridge status, waterway status, and environmental status across all fleet routes during their assigned watch schedules.

Technical Watch Officer - Engineers maintain various shifts to support 24/7 fleet operations and are the first point of contact and direct support contact for all vessels and regional managers across all cruise routes. Similar to the officers aboard our vessels,  Technical Watch Officer - Engineers are focused and diligent in the performance of their duties while “on watch” reducing risk and optimizing decisions, by maintaining an accurate status of vessels, crews, logistics, and route conditions together with accurate forecasts, schedules, and plans. The Fleet Operations Center supports fleet and company decision makers in keeping well ahead of planning, response, and emergent decision timelines.

At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values— Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and execute framework of fleet and crew status-tracking-oversight-assessment tools and views to enable proactive real-time Fleet Operations Center management.
• Organize and assess 30-day outlook of fleet, crewing, and logistics information, forecasts, and projections to display and communicate to Shipboard Officers, Regional Managers and Senior Executive Leadership.
• Organize and assess 30-day outlook of fleet operations within standard parameters for weather, tides, river gages, lock-bridge-channel conditions, environmental and security conditions across all cruise routes to display and communicate to Shipboard Officers, Regional Managers and Senior Executive Leadership.
• Coordinate and communicate with Operations Centers supporting USCG, USACE, FEMA, Maritime Industry Operators.
• Coordinate and communicate with Regional and Industry Maritime Operator Groups.
• Execute required regulatory Notices of Arrival, Bridges-Locks-Waterways Use Notifications and Reservations.
• Administrative reporting, filing, invoicing, and documentation of standard Fleet Operations Center procedures.
• Maintain track of repair timelines to ensure executions of current and future cruise desired.

Qualifications:

• Maritime engineering operations and maintenance experience.
• Team-building experience, poised communications and problem-solving skills.
• Proven multi-tasking and prioritization project execution skills.
• Proven responsibility and discretion in handling sensitive personnel and security information.

Work Location, Routine Hours, and Travel: 

• Primary Work Location is the Fleet Operations Center – Guilford CT.
• 40-hour Per Week Duty Periods including weekends (Day-Afternoon-Night Shifts).
• Periodic travel for 7-day periods aboard company vessels for operational familiarization, mariner recency, and route familiarization. Annual travel days 14-21 days (less than 5% of normal work days).

Perks: 

• Competitive salary and 401k plan. 
• Health, dental, and vision plans available. 

Why Join American Cruise Lines? 

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

American Cruise Lines is the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the United States, offering more than 50 itineraries across the country’s most scenic waterways and coastal destinations. From Alaska and New England to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, we provide personalized guest experiences aboard the finest ships in America, guided by our mission to share America’s story through exceptional travel.

Company Description

American Cruise Lines is the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the United States, offering more than 50 itineraries across the country’s most scenic waterways and coastal destinations. From Alaska and New England to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, we provide personalized guest experiences aboard the finest ships in America, guided by our mission to share America’s story through exceptional travel.