Assistant Port Engineer

The Delaware River and Bay Authority is seeking an Assistant Port Engineer to serve as a key leader for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry (CMLF) Marine Engineers and Maintenance team. The role supports the Port Engineer in setting priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring the ferry fleet is operated, repaired, and maintained to the highest standards. This position oversees critical maintenance activities, manages skilled technicians, and provides clear direction to maintain vessel reliability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. In the absence of the Port Engineer, the Assistant Port Engineer assumes full responsibility for department leadership.

The Assistant Port Engineer develops and executes maintenance plans that support vessel availability and lifecycle performance. The role guides project planning efforts, oversees day-to-day work order execution, and supports seasonal maintenance and shipyard repair periods. This position ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, while promoting safe work practices and effective communication with internal staff, contractors, and regulatory partners. The Assistant Port Engineer also plays a key role in budgeting, inventory oversight, and vendor and contractor management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the development and execution of preventive and predictive maintenance plans.
• Oversee assigned personnel, ensuring productivity, quality, and performance feedback.
• Use the computerized maintenance system to monitor trends, track work orders, and manage records.
• Support year-round vessel operations, vessel outage schedules and participate in financial forecasting/budgeting for major projects.
• Support warehouse procurement processes including parts and critical spare levels.
• Lead on-site shipyard work, ensuring specifications, schedules, and quality standards are met.
• Serve as liaison with regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Participate in safety, environmental, and emergency response planning.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus supervisory background in marine maintenance or transportation operations.
• USCG Chief Engineer license (or ability to obtain within six months), TWIC, valid driver’s license, and experience with major diesel engine systems (Fairbanks Morse, EMD, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel).
• Valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

Salary & Benefits

Salary range starting at $103,100. Salary offer will be commensurate with skills, experience, and expertise of the candidate and is accompanied by an exceptional benefits package. Relocation assistance is available. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flex care accounts, employee assistance programs, retirement, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, vacation, and much more.