SVITZER is one of the largest global companies within towage and related services. We employ over 4000 employees and have a global fleet of over 500 tugs.
We offer
We offer a competitive work/life balance as well as the opportunity to manage all aspects of vessel operation and ownership.
We pride ourselves on providing best in industry tools to accomplish our goals safely and to a high standard.
The Chief Engineer will ensure that all machinery on board the vessels is maintained in good working order at all times and to operate the machinery during operations as and when required.
This is not a supervisory role from the side lines.
As Chief Engineer, you are hands-on, accountable, and ultimately responsible for keeping powerful tug vessels operational in a demanding, safety-critical environment where downtime is not an option.
If you want real ownership, technical challenge, and responsibility this is the role where it counts.
This Is What the Job Really Looks Like
Maintaining and operating high-power tug machinery in a live port environment
Hands on, diagnosing faults and fixing problems under pressure
Owning the condition, safety, and readiness of your engine room
Supporting the Master and crew to keep the tug operational at all times
Working as part of a small, professional crew where trust and competence matter
If you’re looking for a desk-based Chief Engineer role, this isn’t it.
If you want to be trusted with real authority and responsibility, it probably is.
Why Svitzer?
Because tug engineering should be done properly.
2 week rotations (live on board) – work hard, then properly switch off
Modern, well-maintained fleet – no corner-cutting, no neglected machinery
A company that expects high standards — and backs you to meet them
Local technical support – close, capable, responsive
We don’t promise an easy job.
We promise one worthy of the title Chief Engineer .
What You Get
Competitive Salary of £64,829.86 per annum
Permanent, Time-for-Time contract
Pension matched up to 10%
Life Cover (4x pensionable salary) and Single Private Medical Insurance
7 Days leave after 3 years’ service
Uniforms and PPE provided
Employee Assistance Programme
What You Bring
Minimum STCW III/3 Chief Engineer <6000kW (III/2 Unlimited preferred)
Valid ENG1 and STCW certification (minimum 6 months validity)
Strong fault-finding, maintenance, and problem-solving skills
Harbour towage or small-vessel experience preferred
A professional mindset and pride in safe, reliable engineering
The right to live and work in the UK
All crew must be flexible to work across all of our UK ports
A full UK driving licence and own transport are required.
Qualifications
- Minimum STCW III/3 <6000kW, III/2 Unlimited preferred
- Ability to thoroughly analyse all engineering situations & to submit detailed and accurate written and oral reports.
- Fault diagnosis and rectification for all the major machinery on board vessels
- Ability to manage a team and allocate responsibilities
- Harbour or Terminal towage experience preferred.
- Strong administrative/computer skills.
- Strong communication skills
Please note that although this position is predominantly based in the Tees, there is no fixed home port, so we welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all over the UK.
