Chief Engineer - Vessels - Earth Sciences

Are you an experienced Chief Engineer looking for more than a traditional marine engineering role?

This is a rare opportunity to lead the engineering function aboard RV Tangaroa, New Zealand's premier ocean-going research vessel, supporting world-class scientific expeditions.

Available due to the retirement of a long-serving incumbent, this position offers the chance to step into a respected leadership role at the heart of New Zealand's marine research capability.

As the senior engineering leader on board, you will be responsible for the safe, reliable and compliant operation of all vessel engineering, electrical and hydraulic systems while leading a skilled engineering team in a dynamic and challenging maritime environment.

Every voyage presents unique operational and technical challenges, from supporting complex scientific missions and maintaining critical propulsion, power generation and auxiliary systems, to leading your team through demanding offshore operations. Working closely with the Master and Engineering Manager, you will ensure the vessel remains safe, compliant and mission-ready, delivering the engineering excellence that underpins nationally and internationally significant research programmes and contributes to science that makes a real difference for New Zealand and beyond.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead and manage the onboard engineering team, setting clear priorities, allocating work and ensuring tasks are completed to the required standard.
• Ensure the safe, reliable and compliant operation of the vessel’s machinery and engineering systems.
• Own the onboard planned maintenance programme, defect management and accurate engineering records, including documented troubleshooting and timely escalation of unresolved defects.
• Communicate machinery condition, operating limitations and support requirements promptly to the Master and Engineering Manager. Coordinate onboard engineering activities during maintenance periods and support vessel readiness for research voyages.

About You

You’ll bring the following:

• MEC1 Chief Engineer (ECE) qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' experience working as a Chief Engineer.
• Current Maritime Medical certification.
• Current ancillary STCW certificates including Basic Training, Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF), Proficiency in Survival Craft (PISC) and Medical First Aid.
• Experience on vessels of a similar class and function would be advantageous.
• A practical and organised leader who sets clear expectations, develops others and holds the team accountable. You will take a structured approach to maintenance and troubleshooting, maintain accurate records, and communicate openly with vessel and shore personnel.

What We Offer

• Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science.
• A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
• Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits

About Us

Research Vessels New Zealand (RVNZ) is a subsidiary of Earth Sciences New Zealand. RVNZ owns and operates research vessels from Wellington, providing world-class environmental monitoring and research platforms. Our shore team is based at Earth Sciences New Zealand’s Greta Point site in Wellington and supports vessel, crew and voyage requirements.

Earth Sciences New Zealand is a new entity created from the merger of NIWA and GNS. We’re proud of our contribution to science and innovation in Aotearoa and you’ll be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation where your work has impact. To deliver the science needed to achieve meaningful change, we are committed to providing the best for our people, strengthening domestic and international collaborations, partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, leveraging advanced technologies, and investing wisely in essential assets and infrastructure. We also uphold our environmental responsibilities and maintain a strong focus on financial sustainability, ensuring our work continues to make a lasting difference.

If you meet the essential certification requirements but do not meet every other criterion, we encourage you to get in touch!

Apply now

If this sounds like the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.