Senior Maritime Electrical Manager

Department: Engineering
Industry: Shipbuilding / Maritime

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Maritime Electrical Manager to lead the electrical engineering function supporting new vessel construction, refit, and modification projects. This position is responsible for the design, integration, technical oversight, and delivery of shipboard electrical systems while leading and developing a team of electrical engineers and designers.

The ideal candidate combines strong marine electrical engineering expertise with proven leadership experience and the ability to work effectively across engineering, production, project management, vendors, and other technical disciplines. This role requires a strong understanding of shipboard electrical systems, regulatory requirements, and shipyard production workflows.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical System Design & Technical Oversight

• Lead the development of electrical system designs, schematics, layouts, and supporting documentation for new vessel construction, refit, and modification projects.
• Review and approve electrical drawings and technical documentation for accuracy, constructability, and compliance.
• Provide technical direction for shipboard electrical system design and integration.
• Oversee electrical engineering activities throughout design, construction, testing, and commissioning.
• Resolve technical design issues and field discrepancies that arise during vessel construction.
• Ensure electrical engineering deliverables support project requirements, schedules, and production needs.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, supervise, and mentor electrical engineers and designers.
• Assign engineering tasks, establish priorities, and monitor progress against project schedules.
• Provide technical guidance and support the professional development of engineering team members.
• Maintain accountability for the quality and timely completion of electrical engineering deliverables.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration within the engineering team.

Project & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with naval architects, mechanical engineers, production teams, project management, and other disciplines to integrate electrical systems with overall vessel design.
• Participate in project planning, scheduling, design reviews, and progress meetings.
• Work closely with production personnel to ensure electrical designs support efficient shipyard construction and installation.
• Coordinate resolution of interferences and integration issues between electrical, structural, piping, HVAC, machinery, and other shipboard systems.
• Support multiple vessel projects and engineering priorities as required.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality

• Ensure electrical designs comply with applicable ABS and U.S. Coast Guard requirements and other relevant marine standards.
• Review engineering deliverables for technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and quality.
• Provide technical support during inspections, testing, commissioning, and system turnover.
• Resolve compliance-related design or installation issues in coordination with engineering, production, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and current engineering documentation throughout the project lifecycle.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve electrical engineering processes, design practices, documentation, and production support.
• Implement engineering best practices to improve quality, efficiency, and constructability.
• Address recurring design and field issues and develop solutions to reduce rework.
• Support continuous improvement of engineering-to-production workflows.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline; significant relevant maritime electrical engineering experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of shipyard or maritime electrical engineering experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory, lead engineering, or technical leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of shipboard electrical systems, including:
  • Power generation and distribution
  • Lighting systems
  • Automation and controls
  • Communication systems
  • Electrical equipment and machinery
• Experience with electrical system design, integration, drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Experience supporting vessel construction, repair, refit, or major modification projects.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical.
• Familiarity with ShipConstructor or similar marine design software.
• Ability to interpret and apply ABS and U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations related to vessel electrical systems.
• Strong understanding of shipyard production and electrical installation workflows.
• Ability to coordinate electrical requirements with structural, mechanical, piping, HVAC, and other engineering disciplines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and technical deliverables in a schedule-driven shipyard environment.

Preferred Technical Experience

• PLC programming and control systems
• Power management systems
• Integration of advanced shipboard electrical technologies
• Electrical automation and monitoring systems
• Shipboard power generation and distribution
• Electrical testing and commissioning
• Marine electrical equipment integration
• Shipyard production and installation support
• Engineering document control and configuration management

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both engineering office and active shipyard environments.
• Must have correctable vision to 20/40 and the ability to distinguish required safety colors and symbols.
• Must meet applicable respiratory protection requirements.
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, squat, kneel, stoop, climb stairs and ladders, and perform overhead work when required.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and maneuver through restricted vessel access areas.
• Ability to work in physically demanding or static positions for extended periods.
• Ability to work at elevated heights using appropriate scaffolding, staging, or mechanical lifts.
• Ability to carry tools or equipment weighing up to approximately 75 pounds when required.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in both engineering/office settings and active shipyard environments.
• Shipyard activities may require working aboard vessels, inside fabrication facilities, and in outdoor production areas.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, confined spaces, elevated work areas, fabrication activities, and active construction environments should be expected.
• Required PPE may include a respirator, hard hat, face shield, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, safety harness, gloves, and other appropriate protective equipment.
• Must comply with applicable workplace and shipyard safety requirements.
• Position requires the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, schedule-driven engineering and production environment.

Disclaimer

This job description describes the primary responsibilities and requirements of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may change based on project and operational requirements.