At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead underwater propulsion systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations across our fleet.
- Company: Join Royal Caribbean Group, the world's largest cruise line, and explore exciting career opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, travel opportunities, and excellent career development in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to vessels and shipyards, offering unique global experiences.
- Why this job: Combine your passion for engineering with adventure on the high seas.
- Qualifications: Degree in Marine or Mechanical Engineering and experience with underwater systems required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Hybrid role located in Weybridge, UK. Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our Global Marine Operations team. Royal Caribbean Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.
About Us: Royal Caribbean Group is the world's largest cruise line. It couldn't be a more exciting time to join a global business that is blazing a trail in the travel industry right now. At Royal Caribbean Group we never rest on our laurels; we constantly strive to improve our work and be at the forefront of the industry. The work that we do is exciting, challenging, and innovative. We are passionate, we are innovative, and we are unstoppable.
The Role: The Underwater Systems Manager serves as the organization's subject‐matter expert in podded propulsion, thrusters, fin stabilizers, and related underwater systems. This role oversees system performance, maintenance, and optimization across the fleet, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The position requires close collaboration with vessel leadership, shipyards, vendors, classification societies, and internal Marine Technical Operations and Marine Technology teams. Occasional travel and vessel visits are required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership & Support: Serve as the primary technical authority for underwater mechanical systems fleetwide. Provide expert guidance and high‐level troubleshooting support to shoreside and onboard technical teams. Monitor propulsion system performance using diagnostics and condition‐monitoring tools in collaboration with vendors and Marine Asset Management. Plan, coordinate, and oversee repairs, maintenance, overhauls, and dry‐dock activities for podded propulsion and underwater systems. Manage major underwater system repairs, obsolescence programs, and complex technical projects. Lead root‐cause investigations, corrective actions, and fleetwide lessons‐learned processes.
- Operational Management: Deliver first‐ and second‐level support to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant vessel operations. Maintain strong communication with Marine Technical Operations, Marine Technology, and onboard engineering leadership. Coordinate underwater system projects with Ship Managers and shipboard management. Provide technical training and operational best practices to shipboard engineering teams.
- Compliance & Safety: Ensure adherence to international regulations (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL), classification society requirements (e.g., DNV, Lloyd's), and company safety and environmental policies. Conduct ship visits, inspections, and condition assessments to verify compliance and operational readiness. Lead investigations of underwater system incidents, implementing corrective and preventive measures. Follow up on conditions of class, non‐conformities, and audit findings. Manage vendor relationships, including ABB and other OEM partners, for warranty claims, upgrades, and technical support. Lead underwater systems workstreams within dry‐dock, revitalization, and special projects. Stay current with technical bulletins and safety communications, ensuring timely fleet implementation. Prepare technical reports, performance analyses, and recommendations, including modernization and efficiency‐improvement opportunities. Support the Newbuilding Department with specifications, trials, and guarantee‐phase activities. Develop and manage maintenance budgets, spare‐parts planning, and long‐term service agreements in partnership with Technical Operations. Manage underwater system capital projects and CARs, including multi‐million‐dollar initiatives. Ensure financial accountability and effective cost‐management for assigned CAPEX projects.
Qualifications / Skills
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent maritime qualifications (e.g., Chief Engineer License).
- Experience: Strong knowledge of electric propulsion and underwater mechanical systems, including ABB Azipod platforms (XO, and VO). Experience in fleet technical management, dry‐dock execution, and budget oversight. Familiarity with high‐power propulsion (10–22 MW) and vessels using azimuthing pods (cruise, ferry, offshore). Strong analytical, communication, and cross‐functional collaboration skills.
- Preferred: Experience with ice‐class or high‐maneuverability vessels. Knowledge of hybrid‐propulsion trends and emerging efficiency technologies. Proficiency with data‐analytics tools and fleet‐management systems. Office‐based role with travel to vessels, shipyards, and vendors as required.
We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance and more relevant details to answer any additional questions.
It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!
Hybrid: Underwater Propulsion Systems Manager in London employer: Royal Caribbean Group
At Royal Caribbean Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Weybridge, UK, our Hybrid: Underwater Propulsion Systems Manager role provides not only competitive compensation and benefits but also unparalleled opportunities for career development and personal growth within the world's largest cruise line. Join us to embark on a rewarding journey where your expertise will contribute to exciting projects while exploring the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hybrid: Underwater Propulsion Systems Manager in London
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Royal Caribbean Group.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Royal Caribbean Group love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Royal Caribbean Group and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Hybrid: Underwater Propulsion Systems Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Royal Caribbean Group and the Hybrid: Underwater Propulsion Systems Manager role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Caribbean Group
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Royal Caribbean Group.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Royal Caribbean Group.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Royal Caribbean Group, making you a more appealing candidate.
