At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead underwater systems management and ensure safe, efficient operations across the fleet.
- Company: Join a leading maritime organisation with a focus on innovation and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Office-based role with exciting travel to vessels and shipyards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in underwater technology while collaborating with industry experts.
- Qualifications: Degree in Marine or Mechanical Engineering and experience with underwater systems required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Manager, Underwater Systems
The Role
The Underwater Systems Manager serves as the organization’s subject‑matter expert in podded propulsion, thrusters, fin stabilizers, and related underwater systems.
The 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.
- Project & Vendor Management
- 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.
- Financial Responsibilities
- 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
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
- ABB Marine Academy Azipod certification.
- 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.
Work Environment
- Office‑based role with travel to vessels, shipyards, and vendors as required.
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Manager, Underwater Systems employer: Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Weybridge, UK, where innovation meets sustainability. Employees benefit from a strong culture of collaboration and continuous learning, with ample opportunities for professional growth in the rapidly evolving field of alternative fuels and decarbonization. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the future of maritime operations.
