Senior Waterfront Engineering & Ship Repair Superintendent in Seattle, Washington at THE MCHENRY MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC
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Job 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.
Requirements: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.