Job Title

Senior Marine Engineer

Grade

RG4

Reports To

Principal Marine Engineer

Number of Vacancies

One (01)

Job Purpose

The Senior Marine Engineer provides technical leadership and support in the operation, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of marine vessels, propulsion systems, machinery, and associated marine engineering assets of Uganda Railways Corporation. The role ensures the delivery of safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible marine services through effective asset management, regulatory compliance, and engineering best practices.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Marine Machinery Operations and Maintenance

• Supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair of vessel propulsion systems, marine diesel engines, generators, pumps, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, and auxiliary machinery.
• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance programmes for vessels and marine equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections of engine rooms, machinery spaces, and technical installations to ensure operational reliability.
• Diagnose equipment faults, determine root causes, and recommend appropriate repair and maintenance solutions.
• Ensure the availability of critical spare parts, tools, consumables, and technical resources required for marine operations.

Vessel Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all marine engineering activities comply with applicable maritime regulations, safety standards, and International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.
• Support compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
• Maintain the validity of machinery certificates, inspection records, statutory documentation, and technical records.
• Participate in safety drills, hazard identification, risk assessments, incident investigations, and emergency preparedness activities.

Marine Asset Management

• Support the management of Uganda Railways Corporation’s marine assets, including vessels, marine machinery, workshops, and related infrastructure.
• Prepare technical reports on vessel condition, equipment performance, maintenance requirements, and rehabilitation needs.
• Participate in vessel docking, overhaul, refurbishment, modernization, and rehabilitation projects.
• Monitor machinery performance and recommend engineering improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and asset longevity.

Engineering Supervision and Staff Development

• Provide technical guidance, leadership, and supervision to marine engineers, technicians, engine room personnel, and other technical staff.
• Allocate engineering duties and monitor staff performance to ensure efficient execution of maintenance activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing and technical capacity building.
• Identify training needs and support the continuous professional development of marine engineering personnel.

Planning, Budgeting, and Procurement Support

• Prepare maintenance schedules, engineering work plans, and cost estimates for marine engineering activities.
• Support the preparation of budgets for repairs, spare parts, tools, equipment, and engineering services.
• Develop technical specifications for procurement of marine engineering materials, equipment, and services.
• Verify the quality and compliance of supplied equipment, spare parts, and completed maintenance works.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Management

• Promote safe working practices throughout marine engineering operations.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health, safety, environmental, and maritime protection requirements.
• Support implementation of pollution prevention measures and marine environmental protection initiatives.
• Report, investigate, and recommend corrective actions for machinery-related accidents, incidents, and near misses.

Technical Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date engineering documentation, including:
  • Machinery maintenance logs.
  • Engine room records.
  • Equipment history files.
  • Inspection reports.
  • Repair and maintenance documentation.
• Prepare periodic technical and performance reports to support management decision-making.

Expected Outcomes

• Reliable and efficient operation of marine vessels and engineering systems.
• Improved equipment availability, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Timely completion of preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Full compliance with maritime safety regulations, IMO, and STCW requirements.
• Accurate engineering records and maintenance documentation.
• Successful execution of docking, overhaul, and rehabilitation programmes.
• Enhanced technical capability and performance of engineering staff.
• Safe marine operations with minimal equipment failures and environmental incidents.

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
  • Marine Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Naval Architecture
  • Or a related engineering discipline from a recognized institution.

Professional Qualifications

The candidate should possess relevant maritime certifications recognized under IMO/STCW requirements, including:

• Certificate of Competency (CoC) as a Marine Engineer Officer.
• Engine Room Resource Management (ERRM).
• Ship Security Awareness or Ship Security Officer Training.
• Other relevant marine engineering certifications.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of post-graduate experience in marine engineering operations, vessel maintenance, or ship machinery management.
• Practical experience working with:
  • Marine diesel engines.
  • Propulsion systems.
  • Electrical and mechanical ship systems.
  • Vessel maintenance planning.
  • Marine Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Experience supervising engineering teams is an added advantage.

Knowledge & Technical Competencies

• Marine engineering operations and maintenance.
• Marine diesel engines and propulsion systems.
• Electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical ship systems.
• Planned maintenance systems (PMS).
• Marine asset management.
• Vessel docking, overhaul, and rehabilitation.
• IMO and STCW regulations.
• Maritime safety management systems.
• Engineering inspections and fault diagnosis.
• Technical report writing and engineering documentation.
• Procurement specifications and contract support.
• Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSSE) management.
• Microsoft Office and marine engineering information systems.

Core Competencies

• Technical leadership and supervision.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Decision-making and sound engineering judgment.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team leadership and mentoring.
• Safety and risk management.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure.

Working Environment

• Office-based with frequent work aboard vessels, in engine rooms, workshops, dry docks, ports, and marine operational facilities.
• Requires regular interaction with marine crews, engineers, technicians, contractors, inspectors, and regulatory authorities.
• May involve travel to supervise maintenance projects, vessel inspections, rehabilitation works, and emergency engineering activities.
• Operates in challenging marine environments requiring strict adherence to occupational health, safety, environmental, and maritime regulatory standards.

Performance Metrics

• Vessel machinery availability and reliability.
• Completion of planned maintenance schedules.
• Equipment downtime and fault resolution time.
• Compliance with maritime safety regulations and certification requirements.
• Quality and accuracy of engineering documentation.
• Successful execution of maintenance, overhaul, and rehabilitation programmes.
• Safety performance and reduction in machinery-related incidents.
• Engineering team performance and technical capability development.
• Budget adherence and efficient utilization of engineering resources.