Job Title

Principal Marine Engineer

Grade

RG3

Reports To

Chief Mechanical Engineer

Number of Vacancies

One (01)

Job Purpose

The Principal Marine Engineer is responsible for ensuring the availability, performance, and lifecycle management of vessels, marine machinery, propulsion systems, and related infrastructure. The role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient marine engineering operations while maintaining compliance with national and international maritime safety standards, statutory requirements, and organizational policies.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Marine Engineering Operations Management

• Provide strategic leadership in the management of marine engineering operations.
• Ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of vessel machinery, propulsion systems, auxiliary equipment, and marine facilities.
• Monitor vessel technical performance and recommend engineering improvements to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
• Provide technical guidance and expert support on marine operations, repairs, maintenance, and engineering solutions.

Vessel Maintenance and Asset Management

• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance programmes for vessels, propulsion systems, and marine equipment.
• Oversee planned maintenance systems, dry docking schedules, statutory inspections, and major repair activities.
• Ensure availability of critical spare parts, specialized tools, and technical resources required for marine operations.
• Maintain accurate engineering records, maintenance histories, equipment documentation, and asset lifecycle information.

Marine Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations, statutory requirements, classification society standards, and certification obligations.
• Promote implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS), environmental protection measures, and emergency preparedness programmes.
• Ensure vessel certificates, surveys, inspections, and technical approvals remain valid and up to date.
• Coordinate engineering responses to marine incidents, machinery breakdowns, emergencies, and operational disruptions.

Engineering Planning and Budget Management

• Prepare marine engineering budgets, annual work plans, procurement plans, and resource requirements.
• Advise Management on vessel rehabilitation, modernization, replacement programmes, and asset optimization.
• Participate in feasibility studies relating to acquisition of marine assets, engineering systems, and technology upgrades.
• Manage technical contracts, engineering consultants, contractors, and service providers to ensure quality and value for money.

Reporting and Advisory Role

• Prepare technical reports, engineering analyses, and performance updates for senior management.
• Provide expert technical advice on marine engineering matters, asset management, and operational performance.
• Represent Uganda Railways Corporation in technical meetings with regulators, consultants, contractors, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Perform any other duties assigned by Management.

Expected Outcomes

• Safe, reliable, and efficient operation of vessels and marine engineering systems.
• Improved availability, performance, and lifespan of marine assets.
• Effective implementation of preventive maintenance programmes with reduced equipment downtime.
• Full compliance with maritime safety regulations, statutory inspections, and certification requirements.
• Successful planning and execution of vessel rehabilitation, dry docking, and modernization programmes.
• Accurate engineering documentation, maintenance records, and asset management information.
• Efficient utilization of engineering budgets, contracts, and technical resources.
• Enhanced safety culture and emergency preparedness across marine operations.

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in:
  • Marine Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Naval Architecture
  • Or a related engineering discipline from a recognized institution.
• Master’s Degree in Marine Engineering, Transport Engineering, Asset Management, or a related field.

Professional Qualifications

• Valid Marine Engineering Certification recognized by relevant maritime authorities.
• Certificate of Competency (CoC) appropriate for marine engineering operations is an added advantage.
• Membership with a recognized professional body such as:
  • Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE)
  • Relevant international marine engineering professional bodies.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of post-graduate experience in marine engineering operations, vessel maintenance, or related engineering fields.
• Experience managing marine vessels, propulsion systems, marine machinery, and auxiliary equipment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising engineering and technical teams.
• Experience in public sector institutions, transport, shipping, marine operations, or large engineering organizations is desirable.
• Experience in vessel rehabilitation, dry docking, planned maintenance systems, and marine asset management is an added advantage.

Knowledge & Technical Competencies

• Marine engineering operations and vessel maintenance.
• Propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, and marine equipment.
• Planned maintenance systems (PMS).
• Marine asset lifecycle management.
• Dry docking, vessel inspections, and rehabilitation.
• Maritime safety regulations and statutory compliance.
• Classification society requirements and vessel certification.
• Engineering project management.
• Budget preparation and resource planning.
• Contract management and procurement.
• Risk assessment and emergency response.
• Technical report writing and engineering analysis.
• Proficiency in engineering software and Microsoft Office applications.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and people management.
• Technical expertise and engineering judgment.
• Strategic planning and problem-solving.
• Analytical and decision-making skills.
• Communication and stakeholder management.
• Project and contract management.
• Safety leadership and risk management.
• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

Working Environment

• Office-based with frequent visits to vessels, ports, docks, workshops, shipyards, and other marine operational facilities.
• Requires regular engagement with marine crews, engineering personnel, contractors, regulators, classification societies, and technical consultants.
• May involve travel to supervise vessel inspections, dry docking, rehabilitation projects, and emergency maintenance activities.
• Operates in demanding marine and engineering environments requiring strict adherence to occupational health, safety, environmental, and maritime regulatory standards.

Performance Metrics

• Vessel availability and operational reliability.
• Compliance with maintenance schedules and planned maintenance systems.
• Machinery performance and equipment downtime.
• Compliance with maritime safety regulations and certification requirements.
• Successful completion of dry docking, rehabilitation, and maintenance programmes.
• Engineering budget utilization and cost efficiency.
• Quality and timeliness of technical reports and engineering documentation.
• Safety performance and reduction in engineering-related incidents.
• Effective supervision and development of engineering personnel.