The Vice President of Fleet Engineering and Maintenance is a senior executive responsible for leading the strategic planning, technical oversight, and operational excellence of an organization’s fleet maintenance and engineering programs. This includes managing asset performance, reliability, safety, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle optimization across marine, aviation, rail, or ground transportation fleets.
The role demands a forward-thinking leader with strong engineering acumen, operational expertise, and proven experience managing large-scale fleet operations and maintenance programs.
Develop and implement a comprehensive fleet engineering and maintenance strategy aligned with corporate goals, safety, and operational efficiency.
Oversee the design, performance, modification, and lifecycle management of all fleet assets, ensuring technical reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Lead and direct all preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities across the fleet.
Ensure regulatory compliance with industry standards (e.g., IMO, FAA, FRA, DOT, OSHA, ISO, Class Societies) and internal policies.
Drive standardization of engineering specifications, documentation, work procedures, and digital maintenance systems (e.g., CMMS).
Manage capital and operational budgets related to maintenance, repairs, overhauls, and fleet upgrades.
Partner with procurement and technical teams to evaluate vendors, manage service contracts, and ensure supply chain efficiency for parts and equipment.
Implement data-driven reliability programs and performance monitoring tools to optimize asset utilization and downtime.
Champion continuous improvement, innovation (e.g., condition-based maintenance, digital twin), and sustainability initiatives within fleet operations.
Lead cross-functional teams including engineering, maintenance, safety, quality, and operations across multiple sites or regions.
Build and maintain relationships with regulatory authorities, OEMs, shipyards, MROs, and technology partners.
Provide executive reporting on fleet status, maintenance KPIs, safety metrics, and long-term investment needs.
Fleet Lifecycle Engineering
Drive design, specification, acquisition support, and upgrade programs across the full fleet lifecycle.
Maintenance Strategy & Execution
Ensure best-in-class maintenance practices including PM, CBM, reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), and failure analysis.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety
Guarantee adherence to industry regulations and lead fleet safety & audit initiatives.
Operational & Cost Efficiency
Optimize fleet availability and maintenance costs through performance metrics and lean practices.
Leadership & Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing engineering and maintenance team across diverse geographies.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Marine, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering; MBA or PE license is a plus.
15+ years of progressive experience in fleet engineering and maintenance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Deep technical knowledge of fleet systems (marine vessels, aircraft, locomotives, or heavy equipment depending on industry).
Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar maintenance budgets and large geographically dispersed teams.
Strong understanding of CMMS, digital maintenance platforms, and data analytics for asset performance.
Proven ability to lead strategic projects, implement operational improvements, and drive cultural transformation.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills at the executive and board level.
Experience in highly regulated industries (e.g., maritime, aviation, public transportation, defense).
Familiarity with sustainability initiatives such as fleet decarbonization, hybrid propulsion, and green retrofits.
Certifications such as PMP, Six Sigma, or Reliability Engineering credentials.