Director of Engineering- Passenger Ferry Operations

Director of Engineering- Passenger Ferry OperationsPosition OverviewThe Director of Engineering serves as a senior manager responsible for the comprehensiveoversight of maintenance and repair activities across the fleet of passenger ferries and associatedfacilities. This role is accountable for establishing strategic direction, developing policies, andensuring effective execution of all engineering and maintenance functions.The Director is expected to be fully engaged in planning, oversight, and management ofmaintenance programs, and to serve as a readily accessible resource to WETA personnel. Theposition requires responsiveness to operational needs, including participation in unscheduledmeetings and timely handling of requests. When necessary, responsibilities must be formallyreassigned to a qualified interim leader with appropriate advance notice to ensure continuity ofoperations.Disclaimer: This position is part of a contract bid. We're identifying candidates now for proposal submission, and hiring will move forward if the contract is awarded and you're selected. Please note that inclusion in the proposal does not guarantee employment.Key Responsibilities? Provide leadership and oversight for all vessel and facility maintenance and repairprograms, ensuring reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance? Develop and implement short- and long-term maintenance strategies, including capitalimprovement planning and lifecycle management of assets? Direct engineering support services, including technical evaluations, systemimprovements, and major repair initiatives? Establish and manage dry-dock schedules, preventative maintenance programs, andrepair cycles to maintain optimal fleet condition? Oversee procurement activities related to vessels, equipment, materials, and services,including development of technical specifications and evaluation of vendor proposals? Ensure all maintenance and engineering activities comply with applicable federal, state,and maritime regulations, as well as industry best practices? Lead contract administration efforts, ensuring deliverables, timelines, and performancestandards are met? Coordinate closely with operations, procurement, and finance teams to align maintenanceactivities with organizational priorities and budget constraints? Represent the organization in interactions with regulatory agencies, vendors, and externalstakeholders? Provide leadership in labor relations matters, including coordination with unionrepresentatives and participation in negotiations or grievance processes as required? Oversee maintenance management systems to ensure accurate tracking of work orders,labor, materials, and asset performance? Promote continuous improvement through data analysis, performance monitoring, andimplementation of best practicesEssential Functional AreasThis position is responsible for ensuring the following critical organizational functions areeffectively supported:? Safety, Environmental, and Risk Oversight – Establish and maintain programs thatpromote safe operations, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation across allengineering and maintenance activities? Supply Chain and Inventory Control – Direct procurement processes and inventorysystems to ensure timely availability of materials and equipment? Customer Experience and Service Quality – Support operational reliability and serviceexcellence through well-maintained assets and responsive engineering support? Financial Stewardship – Oversee budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting relatedto maintenance and capital programs? Workforce and Labor Management – Lead workforce planning, employeedevelopment, and labor relations for both represented and non-represented staff? Issue and Complaint Resolution – Ensure timely and effective response to operationalconcerns and stakeholder complaintsMinimum QualificationsEquivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Preferredqualifications include:? Bachelor's degree in marine engineering or a related engineering discipline? A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering ormaintenance leadership roles? Demonstrated experience working with aluminum high-speed vessels or comparablemarine assetsKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities? Strong leadership and organizational management capabilities, including experienceoverseeing complex technical teams and programs? In-depth knowledge of maritime operations, vessel maintenance practices, and applicableregulatory frameworks? Experience with capital project planning, procurement processes, and contractmanagement? Familiarity with labor relations, collective bargaining environments, and workforcedevelopment practices? Ability to analyze technical and operational challenges and implement effective, practicalsolutions? Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal teams,external partners, and regulatory bodies? Proficiency with maintenance management systems and standard business software tools? Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in adynamic environmentAdditional Expectations? Maintain consistent availability to support operational needs and leadership requests? Participate in both scheduled and unscheduled meetings as required? Ensure continuity of leadership through appropriate delegation planning whenunavailable? Uphold high standards of professionalism, accountability, and confidentiality