The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is looking for a USCG-licensed assistant engineer on the R/V Rachel Carson, their 1600hp 135ft research vessel. This is a full-time, non-rotational job with four ten-hour work days a week, full benefits, and flexible vacation.

Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, MBARI is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels.

Primary responsibilities:
• Assisting the chief engineer with vessel machinery maintenance tasks.
• Responsible for daily engine room start-up and shut-down of main engines, generators, electrical equipment, and all related shipboard systems, along with engine room maintenance and regular engine room inspections while underway.
• Due to the small crew size of the vessel, the Assistant Engineer position sometimes doubles as a deckhand performing vessel maintenance, housecleaning tasks, and bridge watch standing rotations.
• On deck, the Assistant Engineer assists in the deployment and recovery of the vessel’s ROV and AUV, CTD rosettes, sediment traps, and various other oceanographic experiments.
• Stands a watch.
• Operate cranes, winches, davits and forklifts.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits:
MBARI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B retirement plan, and paid time off, such as vacation, holiday, and sick leave. Our permanent roles are full time positions that do not offer rotations. Therefore, leave is granted on an ad-hoc basis and positions are backfilled from a relief pool.

• Schedule is 4-10hr days with weekends off
• Seapay and Shoreleave compensation for longer trips
• Ample voluntary overtime opportunities
• If/when the candidate is qualified, relief chief rates are available
• Live in the beautiful Monterey/Santa Cruz area – Moving assistance provided
• Paid educational growth opportunities
• 10% employer retirement contribution
• Meals provided
• Good Coffee
• Work on deck and in the engine room
• Varied and engaging work
• High-speed internet (Starlink)

Required minimum qualifications:
• A high school diploma and relevant maritime experience
• Current USCG license, Oiler/QMED (minimum) – 3rd A/E preferred
• Valid USCG medical certificate (STCW)
• Ability to work in hazardous marine environments
• Ability to step up 3 feet
• Heavy lifting is required (up to 50 lbs.)
• Although the vessel typically returns to Moss Landing the same day it goes to sea, the individual may be required to work up to one month continuously away from home port and be able to work in foreign ports
• Willing to move within commuting distance of the institute