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Port Engineer
Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute
Posted on Oct 17, 2025
Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels. These include coastal vessels such as R/V Rachel Carson and R/V Paragon, plus a fleet of robotic vehicles, cabled observatories, and buoy systems. MBARI recently commissioned the building of a new flagship vessel, R/V David Packard, which became available in the spring of 2025. David Packard is a Coast Guard inspected subchapter U vessel, DNV Classed 1A, STCW, SOLAS, and ISM regulated vessel.
The port engineer oversees the maintenance, repair, and readiness of a fleet of vessels to ensure technical goals and regulatory compliance are met. They act as the primary liaison between vessel crews and shore-side management for all technical matters.
Primary responsibilities:
• Maintenance and repairs: Develop, manage, and execute preventative and corrective maintenance schedules for all vessels in a fleet. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
• Dry-docking and shipyard management: Coordinate with shipyards, contractors, and vendors to manage the scope of work, budget, and timeline for complex repair and refit operations, including scheduled dry-docking.
• Budgeting: Develop, manage, and monitor annual budgets for vessel maintenance and repairs, and make recommendations for cost-effective solutions.
• Procurement: Coordinate the purchasing of parts, equipment, and services for
maintenance and repair projects. Ensure purchase orders are issued, and requisitions
are approved.
• Technical support: Provide technical advice and hands-on support to vessel crews and
engineers during missions, port calls, or emergencies.
• Performance monitoring: Analyze technical reports, oil samples, and performance
indicators to evaluate the condition of vessel equipment and systems, and initiate
corrective actions.
• Regulatory compliance: Ensure the fleet is in compliance with regulations from bodies
such as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the International Safety Management (ISM) Code,
and Classification Societies like the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Det Norske
Veritas (DNV).
• Inspections and audits: Prepare vessels for regulatory inspections, surveys, and audits.
Maintain accurate records of all compliance-related activities.
• Safety protocols: Oversee safety procedures for specific tasks, such as fuel transfers,
and conduct safety meetings with vessel engineers and crew.
• Leadership and management: Manage a team of engineers and technicians, including
recruiting, training, and providing ongoing support.
• Liaison: Act as the technical liaison between vessel crews, corporate management,
external clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Project documentation: Develop and manage technical documentation, including repair
specifications, failure analysis reports, and contract deliverables.
Required qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, naval architecture or a related technical
field.
• 2 years’ experience in a shore side management capacity is required.
• Possess excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with marine systems, repair tools, and maintenance management software.
• Must acquire forklift training and certification within 6 months of hire through MBARI
• Have or ability to obtain a U.S. Passport and Transportation Worker Identification Card
(TWIC) credentials within 6 months of hire.
• Experience in drafting shipyard work specifications and overseeing shipyard repair work
Preferred qualifications:
• Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC) – U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) engineer’s license of 3rd assistance engineer or higher with international endorsements.
• Previous UNOLS or research vessel experience.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
• This position requires working in multiple locations including on site in Moss Landing, vessel port call locations, and on site for shipyard dry dock repairs/maintenance.
• Ship Operations is a seven day per week operation; therefore, weekend and holiday work may be periodically required. Shift and/or work assignment may change based on operational needs.
• Will work aboard vessels at sea and on small vessels on occasion.
• Work in a port/dock environment operating forklift and lift equipment, assisting vessel mooring, etc. The ability to move about in small and confined shipboard spaces and to conduct light facility tasks including crane and forklift operations as needed.
• Work may involve heights such as a ship’s mast, may be performed over water, and where lock-out/tag procedures are required.
• May be exposed to high noise levels, or in environments where paint, fuel, or other fumes are present.
• Use of protective equipment including safety eye wear, hearing protection, and respirator or dust mask is required.
• This position is required lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing up to 40 pounds.