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Chief Engineer Jobs

16 open vacancies · updated 27 Oct 2026

Chief Engineer on Car carrier

Negotiable / mo

ZODIAC Maritime · Car carrier

Car carrier

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on Bulk carrier

Negotiable / mo

PG Maritime · Bulk Carrier

Bulk Carrier

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on Bulk carrier

$9,500 / mo

Evic Shipping · Bulk Carrier

Bulk Carrier

Salary$9,500 / mo
BoardingLate Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Late Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on Bulk carrier

$9,600 / mo

Sun Ocean · Bulk Carrier

Bulk Carrier

Salary$9,600 / mo
BoardingLate Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Late Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on LNG carrier

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · LPG / LNG Carrier

LPG / LNG Carrier

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on Container ship

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · Container Ship

Container Ship

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Chief Engineer on Container ship

Negotiable / mo

PG Maritime · Container Ship

Container Ship

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

About the role

The Chief Engineer is the head of the engine department. The Chief Engineer reports to the Master and is responsible for the main engines, boilers, generators, pumps, fuel and lube oil systems, and the engine-room team. The Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, ETO and engine ratings work under the Chief Engineer. The Chief Engineer plans maintenance, controls machinery during manoeuvring, manages spare parts and fuel records, and works with the Master on repairs and dry-dock work. Typical ships include VLCC and other oil tankers, chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, container ships, bulk carriers, RO-RO ships, PSV, AHTS and DSV. The CoC level depends on the ship's main propulsion power.

Duties on board

  • Plan and direct maintenance of main engines, boilers, generators, pumps and steering gear.
  • Control machinery during manoeuvring, blackout recovery and emergency response.
  • Manage fuel, lube oil and water treatment, and keep consumption records correct.
  • Supervise the Second Engineer and engine watchkeepers, and set the engine-room work plan.
  • Check planned maintenance, spare parts and defect reports in the engine department.
  • Work with the Master on technical problems, repairs and dry-dock planning.
  • On tankers, oversee cargo pumps, inert gas and cargo machinery with the Chief Officer.
  • On LNG or LPG carriers, manage gas-handling and fuel systems with the gas engineer.
  • Train engine ratings and cadets in safe work and machinery operation.
  • Stop unsafe machinery work and report defects under the ISM Code.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
CoC as Chief Engineer (3,000 kW or more)STCW III/2Every chief engineer officer on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW or more must hold a certificate of competency.
CoC as Chief Engineer (750 kW to 3,000 kW)STCW III/3Every chief engineer officer on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery between 750 kW and 3,000 kW must hold a certificate of competency.
CoC as Officer in charge of an engineering watch (750 kW or more)STCW III/1Every officer in charge of an engineering watch on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must hold a certificate of competency.
BST (Basic Safety Training)STCW VI/1Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction.
AFF (Advanced Fire Fighting)STCW VI/3Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must complete advanced training in fire fighting, with emphasis on organization, tactics and command.
Advanced training for oil tanker cargo operationsSTCW V/1-1Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for cargo operations on oil tankers must hold a certificate in advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations.
Advanced training for chemical tanker cargo operationsSTCW V/1-1The same senior officers on chemical tankers must hold a certificate in advanced training for chemical tanker cargo operations.
Advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operationsSTCW V/1-2Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and anyone with immediate responsibility for cargo operations on liquefied gas tankers must hold a certificate in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations.
Advanced training for ships subject to the IGF CodeSTCW V/3Masters, engineer officers and all personnel with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels and fuel systems must hold a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code.

Sea service

For 3,000 kW or more: not less than 36 months of approved seagoing service, or not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months were served as second engineer officer. For 750 kW to 3,000 kW: not less than 24 months, of which not less than 12 months while qualified to serve as second engineer officer.

Medical fitness

You need a valid medical certificate before you join. It states that hearing, sight and, where relevant, colour vision are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years; a colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book (CDC)
  • CoC as Chief Engineer for the ship's power
  • CoP certificates: BST, AFF, tanker or gas training as applicable
  • Medical certificate
  • Visas when the voyage needs them

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

Vessel typesBulk Carrier 27%, Chemical Tanker 19%, Container Ship 16%, Oil Tanker 15%, LPG Carrier 6%
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)6 months
Open to any nationality97%
VisasUnited States of America 6%, Schengen 0%
Salary, USD per month9,100–10,950p25–p75 by 11 vacancies on Krew Guru with a salary, last 180 days
Based on 755 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Career path

Comes from: Second Engineer

Companies hiring Chief Engineer now

Related ranks

Chief Engineer: questions and answers

What CoC do I need to work as Chief Engineer?

On ships with main propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW or more you need a Chief Engineer CoC under STCW III/2. On ships between 750 kW and 3,000 kW you need a Chief Engineer CoC under STCW III/3. You must first meet the requirements for an officer in charge of an engineering watch.

How much sea service do I need for Chief Engineer?

For ships of 3,000 kW or more, you need not less than 36 months of approved seagoing service, or not less than 24 months if not less than 12 months were served as second engineer officer. For ships of 750 kW to 3,000 kW, you need not less than 24 months, of which not less than 12 months while qualified to serve as second engineer officer.

Do I need tanker training as Chief Engineer?

Yes, if you serve on tankers. On oil tankers, chief engineer officers must hold advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations. On chemical tankers, the same senior officers need advanced training for chemical tanker cargo operations. On liquefied gas tankers, they need advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations.

Who reports to the Chief Engineer?

The Second Engineer, Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer, ETO and engine ratings report to the Chief Engineer through the Second Engineer. The Chief Engineer reports to the Master. On tankers, the Chief Engineer works with the Chief Officer on cargo pump and cargo machinery matters.

Does the Chief Engineer keep watch?

On most ships, the Chief Engineer does not stand the normal engine-room watch. The Second Engineer and other engineers keep the watch. The Chief Engineer controls machinery during manoeuvring and emergencies and plans engine-room work with the Master.
5,500+ Chief Engineer profiles on Krew Guru · 124 vacancies in the last 90 days

Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.