Job Description

Job title

: Chief Engineer

Location

: Port Glasgow (Onsite)

Duration

- 12-month FTC

Salary

: 65K-75K

What you'll be doing:

The Chief Engineer plays a critical leadership role in supporting all mechanical commissioning, system readiness, and vessel handover operations during ship construction and retrofit projects.

The role includes direct oversight of mechanical commissioning, close coordination with electrical and automation teams, and ownership of crew handover and post-delivery support.

This position ensures that the vessel is delivered in a fully functional and certified state, supports the project during sea trials, handover and dry-docking phases, and provides extended technical assistance throughout the warranty period post-delivery.

Responsibilities

Mechanical Commissioning Leadership

Lead all mechanical setting-to-work (STW) and commissioning activities, including:
Main and auxiliary engines

Fuel systems (diesel, LNG/LPG), lube oil, HVAC, freshwater, compressed air, and propulsion systems

Ballast/bilge systems and mechanical cargo systems for tankers/gas vessels

Manage mechanical testing activities: pressure/leak tests, flushing, alignment, and performance checks.

Supervise functional validation and ensure mechanical readiness for sea trial and handover.

Cross-Functional Coordination

Work collaboratively with:

Electrical teams (power, distribution, lighting)

Automation/instrumentation teams (controls, safety shutdowns, alarm monitoring)

Support integrated testing and resolve cross-system faults impacting mechanical operations.

Crew Handover & Onboard Support

Lead mechanical system handover to the crew, ensuring:

Onboard walkthroughs, as-built verification, and system demonstration

Delivery of system manuals, certificates, and operating procedures

Technical briefings and training sessions for crew operational readiness.

Sea Trial & Client Engagement

Plan and execute sea trials in coordination with the shipyard, client, Class, and Flag.

Supervise live testing of propulsion, manoeuvring, automation, gas systems, and critical operations.

Troubleshoot in real time and lead post-trial technical debriefs.

Document and close out sea trial findings and recommendations

Handover, Dry Dock & Warranty Support

Actively support the business and shipyard team during:

Vessel handover phase including punch list closure, acceptance documents, and final inspections

Dry-docking periods, providing onboard mechanical support, diagnostics, and adjustment feedback

Warranty period addressing operational defects, coordinate with OEMs, and ensure proper resolution and documentation

Capture and feed lessons learned back into shipyard procedures and design improvements.

Mechanical Team Management

Lead mechanical commissioning and handover teams, including shipyard staff, subcontractors, and vendor engineers.

Manage schedules, assignments, safety, and quality of field teams.

Ensure all testing, commissioning, and handover activities are executed according to plan.

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

Compile and submit:

Commissioning records, test reports, inspection protocols, and checklists

Final system completion dossiers and handover packages

Ensure compliance with Class, Flag, and IMO requirements, including SOLAS, MARPOL, and IGF Code.

Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Marine, or Naval Engineering

Extensive experience in shipyard commissioning and mechanical systems

Proven expertise in mechanical system testing and commissioning

Experience with LNG, LPG, or dual-fuel gas systems is highly advantageous

Chief Engineer experience is a strong asset

Watchkeeping mariner status is considered a plus (ticket not required)

Familiarity with Class rules and international marine regulations

Skilled in team leadership, defect resolution, and client-facing delivery roles

Benefits:

You'll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme and our Perk Box rewards scheme.

Why Ferguson Marine?

With 120 years of expertise, Ferguson Marine is proudly looking to the future.

We plan to invest in modern technology and infrastructure that can deliver world-class vessels, fabrication and engineering services for centuries to come.

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry.

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to our recruitment team about potential reasonable adjustments.

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria prior to an application- www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing Date: July 20th 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 65,000.00-75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person