Director of Technical Services

At US Ocean, our success is rooted in our people. Rise to the challenges of marine transportation and logistics.

Department: Fleet Management

Reports To: Senior Vice President, Fleet Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Classification: Full Time

Location: Tampa, FL (on-site)

Schedule: Monday through Friday, regular business hours. Occasional work outside of these hours, including evenings or weekends, may be required to meet operational needs.

Supervisor Responsibility: Yes

Travel Requirements: <30%

Summary/Objective

The Director of Technical Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Company's vessel technical management program. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of the fleet through effective maintenance management, dry dock planning, regulatory compliance, technical oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Director leads the Technical Services team in developing maintenance strategies, managing vessel operating and repair budgets, overseeing capital projects, and ensuring all vessels are maintained in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, classification society rules, and company standards. This position works collaboratively with Fleet Operations, HSSQE, Procurement, Finance, Crewing, and vessel leadership to maximize fleet reliability, operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and asset longevity.

The Director serves as a key member of the Fleet Management leadership team and contributes to the Company's long-term strategic planning and operational excellence initiative.

Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible operation of US Ocean vessels.

• Provide strategic leadership for all technical operations supporting the Company's fleet.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Company's technical management strategy, maintenance philosophy, and asset management programs.

• Align departmental objectives, priorities, and performance metrics with the Company's strategic goals and mission.

• Communicate departmental goals, expectations, and performance standards to all Technical Services personnel.

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.

• Mentor, coach, and develop Technical Services personnel while promoting succession planning and employee development.

• Participate as a member of Senior Management in strategic planning, environmental initiatives, operational reviews, and business improvement efforts.

• Prepare long-term capital expenditure forecasts for vessel maintenance and improvements.

• Monitor expenditures to ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

• Analyze maintenance costs and identify opportunities for operational savings without compromising reliability or safety.

• Review financial reports and key performance indicators related to fleet maintenance and operating costs.

• Maintain technical oversight of all vessel machinery, propulsion systems, auxiliary equipment, electrical systems, and hull structures.

• Monitor vessel performance data and maintenance trends to identify opportunities for improved reliability and operational efficiency.

• Review vessel technical reports, inspection findings, defect reports, machinery performance, and maintenance records.

• Establish maintenance priorities based upon operational risk, regulatory requirements, equipment criticality, and budget considerations.

• Ensure planned maintenance systems are effectively utilized and maintained across the fleet.

• Develop standardized maintenance procedures and standard job plans to improve consistency and efficiency

• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.

• Direct root cause failure investigations and implement corrective actions to reduce repeat equipment failures.

• Develop long-range asset preservation and lifecycle management strategies.

• Develop, administer, and monitor annual technical operating budgets.

• Responsible for maintenance, repair, and vessel operating expenses.

• Develop long-term dry dock schedules and strategic shipyard planning.

• Oversee the planning, budgeting, bidding, execution, and close-out of dry dock projects.

• Prepare technical specifications and work scopes for shipyard periods.

• Lead dry dock bid evaluations and contractor selection.

• Negotiate contracts and administer shipyard agreements.

• Monitor project schedules, budgets, change orders, and contractor performance.

• Ensure all projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.

• Oversee major vessel modifications, retrofits, equipment upgrades, and capital improvement projects.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable international, federal, state, flag state, port state, and classification society requirements.

• Support compliance with applicable requirements of:

• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

• International Maritime Organization (IMO)

• International Safety Management (ISM) Code

• MARPOL

• SOLAS

• Classification Society Rules

• Company Safety Management System (SMS)

• Treat health, safety, security, quality, and environmental protection as core organizational values.

• Participate in environmental planning and establish departmental objectives supporting sustainability initiatives.

• Work closely with HSSQE to achieve company safety, environmental, and quality goals.

• Support internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory examinations.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with shipyards, equipment manufacturers, vendors, and marine service providers.

• Evaluate vendor performance and technical capabilities.

• Confirm repair vendors meet all technical, quality, and safety requirements.

• Review contractor performance during maintenance and repair projects.

• Negotiate service agreements and technical contracts.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with Company purchasing policies.

• Conduct routine vessel visits to monitor fleet condition and provide technical leadership.

• Promote positive professional relationships with vessel Masters, Chief Engineers, officers, and crews.

• Convene safety meetings during vessel visits and communicate management priorities.

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to vessel personnel.

• Assist vessels with troubleshooting complex mechanical and operational issues.

• Ensure deficiencies are documented, prioritized, and resolved in a timely manner.

• Demonstrate visible leadership in promoting a proactive safety culture.

• Review vessel safety meeting minutes and provide guidance and follow-up as appropriate.

• Participate in incident investigations involving vessel equipment or technical systems.

• Support emergency response planning and equipment readiness.

• Ensure maintenance activities comply with Company safety policies and applicable regulations.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for fleet reliability, maintenance effectiveness, equipment availability, dry dock performance, and budget management.

• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance processes through technology, predictive maintenance tools, condition monitoring, and data analytics.

• Lead initiatives that improve vessel reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize lifecycle costs.

• Support implementation of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and fleet management software enhancements.

• Bachelor's degree in marine engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Transportation or related technical discipline.

• Chief Engineer's Unlimited License or equivalent marine engineering experience.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive technical management experience within the maritime industry.

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing technical teams and vessel maintenance programs.

• Demonstrated experience managing dry dock projects and major vessel repair programs.

• Strong knowledge of commercial vessel operations and marine engineering systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of marine engineering system and vessel maintenance.

• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance and classification requirements.

• Expertise in dry dock planning and execution.

• Financial acumen with experience managing operating and capital budgets.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills.

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build collaborative relationships.

• Strong contract negotiation and vendor management experience.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously.

Competencies

• Strategic Leadership - Aligns technical operations with organizational goals while driving long-term fleet performance.

• Maritime Technical Expertise - Demonstrates deep knowledge of vessel systems, maintenance, and marine engineering.

• Financial Management - Effectively manages budgets, forecasts, and cost controls to optimize operational performance.

• Safety Leadership - Champions a culture where safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance are foundational values.

• Project Management - Successfully plans and executes complex maintenance, dry dock, and capital projects.

• Decision Making - Makes sound, timely decisions using technical expertise, operational data, and business judgment.

• Operational Excellence - Continuously improves processes to increase fleet reliability, efficiency, and asset longevity.

• Relationship Management -Builds trust and credibility with vessel personnel, leadership, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

• Communication -Clearly communicates expectations, technical information, and strategic objectives across all organizational levels.

• Change Leadership -Leads organizational and operational improvements while effectively managing change.

• Accountability - Takes ownership for departmental performance, results, and continuous improvement.

• Talent Development -Coaches, mentors, and develops high-performing technical teams while building future leadership capability.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work performed in office, aboard vessels, and in port/terminal environments.

• Exposure to outdoor conditions such as heat, humidity, wind, rain, and noise.

• Occasional access to areas requiring climbing ladders, entering confined spaces, and navigating uneven surfaces.

• Travel required for port calls, dry-dockings, inspections, and vessel support.

• Ability to move around vessels, terminals, and shipyards safely.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift to 25 lbs., and use standard office equipment.

• Adequate vision, hearing, and balance for marine environments.

EEO and Legal Disclaimers

• US Ocean is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at career@usocean.com.

• Employment with US Ocean is 'at-will.' This means either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.

• If applicable, final candidates will be subject to a background check in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Prior to conducting the background check, US Ocean will obtain the candidate's written consent. The results of the background check may impact the hiring decision.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Job descriptions may be revised periodically to reflect organizational needs and/or compliance updates.

Qualifications

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veteran/Disabled

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