Longline Chief Engineer

Company: Coastal Villages
Location: Seattle
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Contract Description Coastal Villages Longline, a subsidiary of Coastal Villages Region Fund, is currently seeking applications for a Chief Engineer to work aboard one of our Freezer Longliners. The primary job responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, working on-board our fishing vessel operating off the western coasts of Washington and Alaska. The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe and efficient maintenance and operation of the entire vessel’s engineering systems. Applicants are required to provide current USCG License with STCW endorsements and other merchant mariner documentation as necessary. Applicants will also need to provide proof of certification to purchase and handle refrigerants, must be knowledgeable in oil spill response, and must have current 24 Hour HAZWOPER training. Specific Duties Include: Operating, maintaining and repairing of all vessel engineering systems and processes Diesel propulsion and electric generating systems, deck hydraulic and pneumatic systems, Refrigeration plant, and fuel and lubrication systems. Water making/desalinization system, vacuum sanitation system, heating and ventilation systems, and factory hydraulic system. Product freezer system, cargo handling equipment Knowledge of radar and navigational systems, Satcom and telecommunications equipment, electrical and electronic systems. Other Duties: Engages in daily operation of vessel. Ensures compliance with all USCG manning, watch standing, and operating regulations. Engages in monitoring and management of preventive maintenance programs on all onboard engineering systems. Effectively coordinates with all vessel department heads to ensure safe, efficient operation of vessel. Provides input for the establishment and management of ship’s engineering department budget. Provides required information for the cost analysis on proposed system modifications, upgrade or replacement. Communicates closely with the port engineer to obtain vendor and shore support when necessary to minimize downtime and maintain maximum efficiency when engaged in fishing operations. Documents all system failures or major repairs and modifications for use as evidence in potential claims, lawsuits or regulatory inquiries. Initiates or delegates the engineering response to unsafe or potentially hazardous work areas. Maintains ship fuel and discharge logs. Maintains spare parts inventory and makes requisitions through TeroMarine system following established guidelines and procedures. Participates in drills, required safety training, and any other company required courses. Maintains the vessel and associated work lists to USCG, Naval Architect and DNV Classification Standards. Expected to maintain compliance with Lock Out Tags/Plus energy control procedures and documentation. Other duties as assigned - This position reports directly to the Port Engineer Starting wage : Crewshare or Daily – Status : Non-Exempt – Semi-Annual - 401k and Health Benefits upon eligibility - Coastal Villages Region Fund has a zero tolerance Drug and Alcohol Policy and participates in the E-Verify Program. Selected applicants will be required to successfully pass a post-offer background, drug test and reference check. Applicants must be willing and able to be away from home for extended periods of time, and must be willing to live and work in a cramped environment, and work as a team member at all times. In addition, good communication skills, self motivation, and a positive attitude are important to ensure a high quality product and the safety of all crew members. - This is a safety sensitive position, and impairment by any amount of drugs or alcohol may result in undue harm to self or others. Requirements Knowledge and Skill Requirements Minimum of five years experience as a Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer of a commercial fishing vessel participating in fisheries in Alaskan or Russian waters. Must possess and maintain proper license and all necessary endorsements as required by the U.S. Coast Guard and other regulatory agencies. Must be highly qualified to operate and troubleshoot all marine systems as indicated above. Knowledgeable in oil spill response and recovery per regulations. Knowledgeable in proper handling and disposal or hazardous materials. Thorough understanding and compliance to Marpol regulations. Must possess and exhibit excellent leadership and management abilities, including interpersonal skills necessary to foster cooperation. Must demonstrate excellent supervisory and teambuilding skills. Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills. Competent team leader and participant in vessels abandon ship, firefighting and man overboard drills. Ability to machine and fabricate with various types of metals and materials. Proficiency with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) desired Project management and planning skills. Ability to interface in a cooperative and businesslike manner with company vendor representatives, shipyard representatives and outside contractors. Must be punctual, organized, and able to work under stressful conditions. Physical Demands Must meet U.S. Coast Guard licensing standards regarding physical condition, hearing, and eyesight minimums. Ability to pass pre-employment and unannounced random drug tests. Must be capable of boarding and exiting a vessel without physical assistance by climbing up and down a gang lank or using a Jacob’s ladder. Must climb or descend one or more set of steep stairs, or vertical ladders inside and outside the vessel in all weather conditions as extreme as 30 degrees below zero. Ability to work in confined spaces. Must possess proper license and necessary endorsement as required by the U.S. Coast Guard Crew member must be capable of working consecutive, long and variable work shifts for extended periods of time. Shifts typically range from 12 to 16 hours per day with periodic breaks depending on work demands, production requirements, availability of fish, and travel schedules. The work is strenuous and sometimes hazardous due to exposure to operating machinery, mechanical parts, fumes, chemicals, pressurized fluids, vibration and with the vessel operating under all types of weather conditions including extreme cold. This means standing, walking and maintaining balance in rough seas or other types of weather. Both hands must be capable of grabbing, holding or gripping rope, rails, equipment and vessel structures for frequent periods of time. Forceful grasping along with repetitive finger and hand use is occasional. Applicant must also be able to occasionally sit, and frequently stand, bend, crouch, squat and kneel. Applicants must be able to climb up and down, safely ascend and descend ladders, work in small and confined spaces, and pass all safety test requirements. Applicants must be able to frequently lift 11-20 pounds from the floor to the waist and above the shoulders and on an occasional basis lift 50 pounds in the same manner. Applicants must be able to occasionally push, pull and carry 11-20 pounds and on a limited basis, 50-100 pounds in the same manner. Specific vision requirements for this position are that the applicant needs to have peripheral, distance and depth perception abilities. Candidate also needs the ability to determine shades, colors and shadows. Applicants will be required to gain medical clearance for use of a tight fitting respirator. Basic Mental Functions: Applicants must be able to perform intermediate math; add, subtract, multiply, divide, handle fractions and decimals; all on numbers between 1-1000. Applicant must also be able to understand, read, speak and write in English. Applicant must possess the ability to apply these basic functions to American currency, weight, distance and volumes. Applicant needs the ability to perform these basic functions in stressful, noisy environments and in the adverse weather conditions as mentioned above. Upon receiving a conditional offer, selected applicants may be required to have physical examinations. The results of those tests may require a licensed healthcare provider and selected applicant to determine whether reasonable accommodations can be structured to allow for safe performance of the job described above while in a remote and hazardous location.

Keywords: Coastal Villages, Kirkland , Longline Chief Engineer, Engineering , Seattle, Washington