The Vice President of Engineering – Marine or Ship Systems is a senior executive role responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution, and governance of all engineering activities related to ship systems, including mechanical, electrical, propulsion, HVAC, piping, automation, and structural systems. This position ensures the safe, efficient, and innovative design, upgrade, and lifecycle support of vessels across commercial, defense, offshore, or cruise sectors. The VP is responsible for building and guiding a high-performing engineering organization aligned with corporate goals, classification standards, and environmental regulations.
Define and lead the engineering vision, strategy, and innovation roadmap for ship and marine systems
Oversee all engineering design, systems integration, and R&D efforts for newbuilds, conversions, retrofits, and operational upgrades
Establish engineering standards, design review protocols, and configuration control processes aligned with Class, IMO, SOLAS, and MARPOL
Drive adoption of new technologies such as hybrid propulsion, alternative fuels (e.g., LNG, methanol), automation, and digital twins
Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team across naval architecture, marine systems, structural, and electrical disciplines
Collaborate with project management, procurement, shipyards, and regulatory bodies to ensure on-time, in-budget delivery
Ensure engineering deliverables meet technical, safety, reliability, and sustainability objectives
Provide expert guidance on root cause analysis, complex failure investigations, and systems troubleshooting
Build and maintain a scalable engineering organization structure that supports both project execution and innovation
Develop and manage engineering budgets, headcount planning, KPIs, and performance benchmarks
Serve as the senior technical liaison with executive leadership, clients, classification societies, and strategic partners
Foster a culture of technical excellence, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration
Technical direction of all marine engineering systems and platforms
Governance of design standards, compliance, and quality control
Implementation of green ship technologies, digital systems, and innovation
Team leadership and engineering organizational growth
Education:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
Professional Engineer (PE) license, Chartered Engineer, or similar credential preferred
Executive education (e.g., MBA, Leadership Programs) is a plus
Experience:
18+ years in marine engineering or ship system design, with 7–10 years in senior leadership roles
Proven track record in leading engineering programs for commercial or naval vessels
Experience managing teams through complex ship construction, refit, or system integration projects
Technical Expertise:
Deep knowledge of propulsion, HVAC, electrical, fluid systems, automation, hull design, and emissions compliance
Familiarity with classification society rules (ABS, DNV, LR), flag state requirements, and IMO regulations
Understanding of digital transformation tools (CAD/PLM, 3D modeling, simulation, condition monitoring)
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Visionary leader with the ability to inspire, mentor, and align cross-functional teams
Strong executive presence with effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and board-level reporting skills
Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence