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Second Engineer Jobs

18 open vacancies · updated 26 Oct 2026

Second Engineer on Bulk carrier

$7,600 / mo

Sun Ocean · Bulk Carrier

Bulk Carrier

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

Second 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

Second Engineer on Chemical tanker

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · Chemical Tanker

Chemical Tanker

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

Second 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

Second 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

Second 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

About the role

The Second Engineer is a senior engine officer. They report to the Chief Engineer and take charge of engine-room maintenance, spare parts, tools and engine stores. They plan work for the Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer and engine ratings, and check that repairs and maintenance are done safely. They help the Chief Engineer with fuel oil, lube oil, water treatment, bunkering and machinery records. They work on many ship types, including bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, chemical tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, and Ro-Ro ships. On tankers and gas carriers they also check cargo machinery with the Chief Engineer and deck cargo team. They prepare machinery for surveys and inspections and report defects to the Chief Engineer.

Duties on board

  • Take charge of engine-room maintenance under the Chief Engineer.
  • Plan daily work for engine ratings and check safe completion.
  • Supervise repair work by engine crew and shore technicians.
  • Keep spare parts, tools and engine stores records up to date.
  • Help the Chief Engineer control fuel oil, lube oil and water treatment.
  • Attend bunkering and fuel transfer operations with the engine watch.
  • Prepare main engine and auxiliary machinery for surveys and inspections.
  • Report machinery defects and maintenance history to the Chief Engineer.
  • On tankers, check cargo pumps and cargo machinery with the Chief Engineer.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Second Engineer on ships of 3,000 kW or moreSTCW III/2Certification as second engineer officer requires not less than 12 months of approved seagoing service as a qualified engineer officer.
Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Second Engineer on ships of 750 kW to 3,000 kWSTCW III/3Certification as second engineer officer requires not less than 12 months of approved seagoing service as assistant engineer officer or engineer officer.
Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Officer in Charge of an Engineering WatchSTCW 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.
Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)STCW VI/3Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must complete advanced training in fire fighting.
Medical First AidSTCW VI/4Seafarers designated to provide medical first aid on board must meet the standard of competence in medical first aid.
Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Cargo OperationsSTCW V/1-1Second engineer officers on oil tankers must hold a certificate in advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations.
Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo OperationsSTCW V/1-2Second engineer officers on liquefied gas tankers must hold a certificate in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations.

Sea service

For a Second Engineer CoC on ships of 3,000 kW or more, you need not less than 12 months of approved seagoing service as a qualified engineer officer. For ships of 750 kW to 3,000 kW, you need not less than 12 months as assistant engineer officer or engineer officer.

Medical fitness

You may not work on a ship unless certified medically fit. Before beginning work you need a valid medical certificate. It states hearing, sight and, where relevant, colour vision are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18. A colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book (CDC)
  • CoC as Second Engineer
  • CoP certificates for tanker, gas, fire fighting and medical training when required
  • Valid medical certificate
  • Visas when the voyage needs them

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

Vessel typesBulk Carrier 26%, Chemical Tanker 20%, Container Ship 18%, Oil Tanker 16%, LNG Carrier 5%
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)6 months
Open to any nationality97%
VisasUnited States of America 6%, Schengen 0%
Salary, USD per month6,400–8,800p25–p75 by 6 vacancies on Krew Guru with a salary, last 180 days
Based on 830 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Career path

Comes from: Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer
Next step: Chief Engineer

Companies hiring Second Engineer now

Related ranks

Second Engineer: questions and answers

What certificate do I need to sail as Second Engineer?

You need a CoC as Second Engineer. On ships of 3,000 kW or more, you must first meet the requirements for an officer in charge of an engineering watch. You also need not less than 12 months of approved seagoing service as a qualified engineer officer. On ships of 750 kW to 3,000 kW, the service is as assistant engineer officer or engineer officer.

Who does the Second Engineer report to?

The Second Engineer reports to the Chief Engineer. The Chief Engineer gives the work plan and checks machinery and safety matters. The Second Engineer works with the Third Engineer, Fourth Engineer and engine ratings in the engine department. On tankers and gas carriers, the Second Engineer also works with the Chief Officer and cargo team on machinery linked to cargo operations.

Do I need tanker training as Second Engineer?

If you serve on an oil tanker, chemical tanker or liquefied gas tanker and have immediate responsibility for cargo operations, you must hold the advanced training certificate for that tanker type. Basic training is for officers and ratings with specific duties related to cargo or cargo equipment. The advanced certificate needs approved seagoing service on that tanker type or supervised onboard training plus an approved course.

Can a Second Engineer become Chief Engineer?

Yes. Certification as chief engineer officer on ships of 3,000 kW or more requires 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. On ships of 750 kW to 3,000 kW, it requires not less than 24 months, with not less than 12 months while qualified to serve as second engineer officer.

What medical certificate do I need?

You need a valid medical certificate before you begin work on a ship. It must state that you are medically fit. Hearing, sight and, where relevant, colour vision must be satisfactory. A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18. A colour vision certificate is valid for a maximum of six years.
4,800+ Second Engineer profiles on Krew Guru · 132 vacancies in the last 90 days

Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.