How to hire a port engineer

How to hire a port engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step port engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a port engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new port engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a port engineer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a port engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A port engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, port engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of port engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Port Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Port Engineer	Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, and maintain ships from aircraft carriers to submarines, from sailboats to tankers. Marine engineers are primarily responsible for the internal systems of a ship, such as propulsion, electrical, refrigeration, and steering... Show more	$30-76
   Lead Engineer	A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly... Show more	$28-57
   Marine Engineer	Marine engineers are licensed engineers who specialize in designing marine infrastructure. These marine infrastructure or vessels are usually naval ships, sailboats, cruise ships, tankers, or even submarines... Show more	$33-70

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • USCG
   • Marine Engineering
   • Emergency Repairs
   • Dry Docking
   • Regulatory Compliance
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • ABS
   • Boats
   • Vessel Repairs
   • Cranes
   • EMD
   • ISM
   • Diesel Engines
   • MSC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage projects, resources and assets within deadlines to deliver an error free boat to customers within schedule and under budget.
   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Perform miscellaneous welding fabrication and repairs for boats and cannery production lines.
   • Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.
   • Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.

   More port engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the port engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A port engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a port engineer in Iowa may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level port engineer. Additionally, a port engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average port engineer salary

   $101,179yearly

   $48.64 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level port engineer salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average port engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Texas	$114,026	$55
   2	California	$112,925	$54
   3	New York	$107,696	$52
   4	Alaska	$98,677	$47
   5	New Jersey	$97,179	$47
   6	Virginia	$96,374	$46
   7	Washington	$95,603	$46
   8	Mississippi	$93,879	$45
   9	Louisiana	$89,690	$43
   10	Maryland	$88,367	$42
   11	Massachusetts	$83,772	$40
   12	Hawaii	$74,956	$36
   13	Florida	$69,473	$33

   Average port engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Centerline Logistics	$122,614	$58.95
   2	McAllister Towing	$118,972	$57.20
   3	Crowley Holdings Inc.	$112,210	$53.95
   4	Cook Inlet Region	$111,504	$53.61
   5	Matson	$109,887	$52.83
   6	Weeks Marine	$102,019	$49.05
   7	T-Solutions	$99,759	$47.96
   8	Kirby	$95,266	$45.80	2
   9	Young Brothers Inc Contractors	$95,264	$45.80

4. Writing a port engineer job description

   A job description for a port engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a port engineer job description:

   Port engineer job description example

   The Port Engineer manages all maintenance, repairs, and modifications for assigned equipment. Ensures assigned personnel and equipment are compliant with regulatory agencies and company policies.
   Essential Job Functions
   
   * Establish and implement preventative and routine maintenance procedures
   * Prepare and submit maintenance and capital budgets for assigned equipment
   * Prepare specifications, scheduling, and management of shipyard periods
   * Supervision of all maintenance personnel (including vessel personnel when in port)
   * Approve/generate requisitions for spare parts and vendor services.
   * Maintain spare parts inventories
   * Approve/generate work orders, change orders and AFEs (Authorization for Expenditure)
   * Frequent equipment and jobsite visits and inspection
   * Ensure compliance of company policies
   * Remain on call during non-working hours
   * Perform other duties as assigned
   
   Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
   
   Qualifications
   
   * 10+ years of experience in related field
   * Associate degree or higher in a marine or engineering discipline preferred
   * Technical understanding of construction and maintenance of marine vessels
   * Ability to read and understand technical drawings
   * Proficient skills in standard office software packages
   * 3+ years Supervisory experience
   * Ability to work flexible schedule with additional hours as needed
   * Willingness and ability to travel extensively to various project locations
   * This position requires fluent use of the verbal and written English language and understanding of hand signals
   
   Required Certifications or Licenses
   
   * Driver's license with a clean driving record
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Must successfully complete a post-offer physical and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check
   * Must be able to tolerate rough seas, vibrations, heat, harsh weather conditions, confined spaces, and high noise levels
   * Work will frequently require individuals to push, pull, bend, or stand for long periods of time, and climb ladders that have capacity limits of 300 lbs.
   * Must be able to lift or carry miscellaneous equipment, supplies, and parts, up to 50 lbs. unassisted
   
   Additional Duties
   
   This Job Description does not cover all of the required duties, activities, functions and responsibilities of the position, any of which may change at any time according to the sole and absolute discretion of Weeks Marine, Inc., with or without notice.
   
   Compensation and Benefits
   
   Competitive compensation and benefits program to include:
   
   * Annual base salary plus paid lodging accommodations, travel, and per diem
   * 401k match
   * Profit sharing program
   * Tuition reimbursement program
   * Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term disability
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity
   
   Weeks Marine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation.
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find port engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any port engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level port engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your port engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit port engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit port engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new port engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect port engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a port engineer?