Location
Weybridge, UK.
About the Role
This position provides technical authority for the design, integration, certification, and operational assurance of alternative fuel systems across Royal Caribbean Group’s alternative‑fueled fleet, including TUI Cruises. The role is accountable for system‑level performance, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle optimisation of alternative fuel technologies (including LNG and methanol) across newbuild and existing vessels. The Director leads the engineering development of shipboard and shoreside alternative fuel procedures, ensures alignment with IMO, class, and flag‑state requirements, and governs the technical risk management associated with fuel system design, retrofit execution, and operational deployment. The role also owns the technical roadmap for fleet decarbonisation, integrating regulatory compliance strategies (EEXI, CII), energy‑efficiency measures, and greenhouse‑gas abatement technologies into a coherent, data‑driven implementation plan. Financial accountability includes CAPEX planning, long‑term techno‑economic modelling, and retrofit programme cost control.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Alternative Fuel Systems Engineering & Technical Authority
- Act as technical owner for alternative fuel systems, ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable operation across the alternative‑fueled fleet.
- Develop, validate, and maintain shipboard and shoreside engineering procedures for alternative fuels (LNG, methanol), including bunkering, commissioning, maintenance, emergency response, and operational envelopes.
- Provide input to design verification and technical assurance for alternative fuel systems on newbuild vessels, including fuel storage, fuel gas supply systems, control systems, safety architecture, and interfaces with propulsion and auxiliary systems.
- Evaluate and qualify emerging technologies and digital solutions (e.g., condition monitoring, fuel optimisation software, decision‑support tools) to improve system efficiency, reliability, and safety margins.
Fleet Operations & Technical Support
- Provide second‑line engineering support to vessel and shore teams for alternative fuel‑related incidents, deviations, and performance issues, ensuring root‑cause analysis and corrective action closure.
- Deliver technical status reporting to executive leadership on retrofit execution, system performance trends supported by data‑driven analysis.
- Maintain structured technical interfaces with Marine Technology, Marine Technical Operations, and senior onboard management to ensure consistent system governance.
Classification, Regulatory & Industry Engagement
- Serve as the primary technical interface with classification societies and regulatory authorities on alternative fuel system design, approvals, and operational compliance.
- Conduct engineering‑focused ship visits and audits to verify system compliance, operational integrity, and adherence to company standards.
- Manage technical relationships with key OEMs and industry partners (e.g., Wärtsilä, ABB, DNV, Lloyd’s Register) to monitor technology maturity, regulatory evolution, and optimisation opportunities.
Project, Vendor & Cross‑Functional Integration
- Monitor and technically assess OEM bulletins, safety notices, and design updates, coordinating engineering evaluations and implementation plans.
- Collaborate with Energy Management and fuel supply teams on energy efficiency initiatives, fuel availability constraints, and future alternative fuel pathways.
- Support new‑building projects with alternative fuel system specifications, performance guarantees, and technical acceptance criteria.
Financial & Programme Management
- Develop and maintain integrated technical‑financial models for alternative fuel retrofit programmes, incorporating lifecycle cost, risk, and performance assumptions.
- Provide engineering‑based variance analysis for CAPEX deviations, supporting finance teams with transparent technical justification.
- Maintain accountability for assigned CAPEX project budgets, ensuring technical scope control and value delivery.
Qualifications & Skills
- Degree background in Marine Engineering, Mechanical/Energy Engineering, or Naval Architecture, with applied experience in ship systems engineering and operations.
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline required; PhD considered a technical differentiator.
- Demonstrated capability in engineering analysis, data‑driven decision‑making, and use of advanced analytical tools (Excel, PowerPoint; advantageous programming experience).
- Strong understanding of marine systems integration, including propulsion, auxiliary systems, HVAC, and fuel systems.
- Proven experience in technical project management, long‑term financial modelling, and cross‑functional engineering coordination.
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.
