Senior Waterfront Engineering & Ship Repair Superintendent

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Background check, US Citizenship, and drug testing are requirements for this position. 

Support to Vigor Marine – Seattle, WA

Developed from the existing Vigor Project Superintendent – Engineering position and expanded to support complex Navy, MSC, commercial vessel modernization, repair, production integration, and waterfront execution efforts at Vigor Marine facilities.

Position Summary

The Senior Waterfront Engineering & Ship Repair Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day technical execution, coordination, and waterfront integration of complex ship repair, modernization, maintenance, and vessel upgrade activities at Vigor Marine.

This position serves as the operational bridge between engineering, production, planning, testing, subcontractors, and customer representatives to ensure shipboard work is executed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with technical and regulatory requirements.

Unlike a traditional office-based engineering role, this position requires a hands-on shipyard professional who understands how vessel repairs are actually executed on the deck plates. The successful candidate must be capable of translating engineering intent into executable waterfront work while managing production conflicts, sequencing challenges, technical risk, and customer expectations in real time.

This role supports military and commercial vessel availabilities including:

Navy ship modernization

MSC vessel repair

USCG vessel support

Commercial vessel overhauls

Complex machinery and systems integration

Drydock and pier-side repair operations

The ideal candidate possesses strong ship repair operational knowledge, production leadership capability, engineering coordination experience, and the ability to drive work completion in demanding waterfront environments. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Waterfront Production Leadership

Lead daily execution of assigned ship repair and modernization work packages.

Coordinate production activities across multiple trades including:

Structural

Mechanical

Electrical

Pipe

Coatings

HVAC

Outfitting

Testing and commissioning

Monitor waterfront progress and adjust execution priorities to maintain schedule performance.

Conduct routine onboard ship checks to validate actual progress versus planned work.

Resolve production conflicts and access constraints impacting execution.

Coordinate manpower deployment and sequencing with craft supervision and production management.

Engineering & Technical Integration

Translate engineering drawings, specifications, work packages, and technical directives into executable production activities.

Coordinate engineering changes, field changes, and rework integration with production teams.

Support troubleshooting and technical problem resolution during active vessel repair operations.

Review and validate technical work completion prior to testing and turnover.

Assist engineering teams with:

Ship checks

As-built validation

Field condition assessments

Installation feasibility reviews

Coordinate technical interfaces between shipyard departments, subcontractors, vendors, and customers.

Project Execution & Schedule Management

Support integrated schedule execution in coordination with Project Controls and Planning teams.

Develop short-range execution plans and daily production priorities.

Identify schedule risks, production bottlenecks, and recovery opportunities early.

Support milestone execution including:

System turnovers

Dock trials

Sea trials

Regulatory inspections

Final delivery

Coordinate production readiness for testing and commissioning events.

Participate in daily, weekly, and customer production meetings.

Test & Trials Coordination

Coordinate testing activities with production teams, engineering personnel, and waterfront operations.

Ensure systems are mechanically complete and ready for testing.

Assist with:

Pre-test inspections

Operational testing

Integrated systems testing

Dock trials

Sea trials

Support deficiency tracking and resolution efforts during test events.

Ensure test boundaries and safety requirements are properly established.

Customer & Regulatory Coordination

Interface directly with:

Navy representatives

MSC personnel

USCG inspectors

ABS surveyors

Subcontractors

Vessel crews

Program leadership

Communicate project status, technical risks, and production impacts to leadership teams and customers.

Support regulatory compliance and inspection activities.

Assist with technical documentation, condition reports, and work package closeout.

Cost, Risk & Quality Oversight

Monitor work progress against labor budgets and schedule targets.

Identify growth work and technical impacts affecting cost and schedule performance.

Support change order development and technical impact assessments.

Ensure workmanship meets shipyard quality standards and customer requirements.

Drive first-time quality execution and minimize rework.

Enforce shipyard safety and environmental compliance standards. 

Physical Job Requirements

Extensive time spent onboard active vessels and in industrial shipyard environments.

Ability to:

Climb ladders and scaffolding

Enter confined spaces

Traverse uneven surfaces

Work outdoors in varying weather conditions

May require extended work hours, weekend support, and occasional travel.

Education/Certification Requirements

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.

Minimum 8–15 years of shipyard, ship repair, modernization, or waterfront production experience.

Strong working knowledge of:

Ship repair operations

Waterfront production sequencing

Vessel systems integration

Government and commercial vessel maintenance

Experience supporting:

Navy vessels

MSC vessels

USCG vessels

Commercial vessel availabilities

Ability to read and interpret:

Ship repair specifications

Engineering drawings

Work packages

Technical manuals

Regulatory requirements

Strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills.

Experience working directly with production trades and waterfront operations teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous Vigor Marine or major shipyard experience.

Familiarity with:

ABS requirements

USCG regulations

NAVSEA standards

Military vessel repair practices

Experience supporting:

Drydock availabilities

Major modernization programs

Testing and commissioning activities

Integrated production planning

Primavera P6 familiarity preferred.

PMP certification or equivalent project management experience desirable.