Engineering Strategic Lead

Job Description

Location: Trinity Buoy Wharf
Contract Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 26 April 2024
Salary: Competitive
Hours of Work: 42

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With the regulatory drive to Net Zero and Thames Clippers growing fleet, this role is at the forefront of improving the company’s emissions profile and environmental performance by identifying, evaluating and implementing alternative propulsion options to reduce energy usage, increase efficiency and reduce the company CO2 profile. The role requires experience of working with regulators such as the MCA, Classification Societies and PLA for approval of new designs, approval of retrofit programs for existing vessels and guiding the risk-based approval process for novel technology. The incumbent will be expected to support from the technical perspective for all new and existing projects such as the Clean Maritime Development Competition project and ZEVI part funded by the DfT delivering and demonstrating an electric freight vessel and an electric cross river ferry by Q1 2025.

This specialist role requires a strong technical background in both mechanical and electrical systems, underpinned by naval architectural knowledge and familiarity of aluminium welded construction. This knowledge will need to be applied to small (@40m) high speed passenger and freight vessels operating predominantly under the High Speed Craft Code within the categorised waters of the river Thames.

Responsibilities range from driving the development of new vessel design from concept stage through to construction, delivery and placing into service, to supporting other areas of the business with respect to technical matters in all aspects of the operation from piers, infrastructure, catering, and the internal dry dock facility.

• Drive development of new vessel design and supporting infrastructure from concept to contract and delivery.
• Evaluate propulsion proposals meet requirements of route and performance demands with practical and theoretical predictions of power usage.
• Produce technical specification for new vessels to support build contracts, consulting and liaising with internal stakeholders, naval architects and shipyard.
• Monitor construction of new builds and progress of retrofits with respect to quality, compliance and timescale.
• Work with members of the senior engineering team, operations and customer service to ensure all necessary requirements for operational deployment of new vessels including any technical training are implemented.
• Provide hands on assessment of compliance with specification during commissioning trials and advice to Senior Management on final acceptance.
• Work with procurement and legal teams to place contracts ensuring projects are kept in scope, on time and within budget.
• Keep abreast of new technical developments and opportunities such as alternative fuels and propulsion systems, evaluating their suitability to Thames
• Clippers operations and making recommendations to Senior Management for application to new builds and retrofit solutions for older vessels.
• Liaise with contractors and suppliers to ensure works will be completed fully, on time and within budget.
• Evaluate proposals for systems and equipment against performance requirements, regulatory compliance and operational suitability.
• Carry out document reviews of contracts, drawings and manuals for new build vessels and create maintenance routines for the planned maintenance system.
• Assist the Head of Engineering and the Legal and Procurement Teams in negotiating warranty and support / maintenance contracts and evaluating cost and efficiency performance of proposals offered.
• Adhere to all Health and Safety regulations, including best working practices and housekeeping for a heavy engineering environment on company owned premises and at shipyards or other contractor locations.
• Relevant experience of delivering new build vessel projects from the concept stage, through developing specification, assessment of performance, build supervision and commissioning.
• Technically capable with in-depth mechanical and electrical engineering and constructional knowledge of high-speed vessels with ability to validate design calculations and produce justifications for regulatory approval.
• Understanding of hybrid, fully electric and alternative fuel solutions to reach Net Zero.
• Familiarity with structure and construction of aluminium vessels.
• Familiarity with vessel stability standards and requirements.
• Good regulatory knowledge of the High Speed Craft Code, MSN 1823 as revised, SOLAS, FSS code, Classification Society Rules, guidance and regulation of installation and operation of marine battery systems. Understanding of the ISM Code.
• Understanding of emissions standards as applicable to maritime operations.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate confidently both verbally and in writing.
• Be committed and flexible in approach to work and able to work under pressure, multi-task and prioritise.
• Able to work on own initiative with strong decision making and clear instruction to contractors.
• Have a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and to establish good professional relationships with colleagues.
• Have proficiency in Microsoft Project, word and excel.
• Working knowledge of contract law.
• Operational engineering experience of marine vessels.
• Knowledge of ship or boat building and repair.
• Experience / understanding of software based control systems and control networks.

Where: You’ll be based at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London E14 0JY.

So why apply?

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers are London’s leading River Bus service. Our fleet of high speed catamarans provide commuters and sightseers with a unique way to travel around the capital. We carry around 5 million passengers a year and currently employ around 470 people, which is set to increase over the next few years.

We are an entrepreneurial and inclusive organisation that was voted “Employer of the Year” at the 2017 London Transport Awards and “Ferry Operator of the year” this year. There is real potential for internal development and promotion within our business and internal succession is one of our core principles. Our values: Trusted to do the Right Thing, Great Place to Work, Be Excellent and Respect allow our employees to excel in their careers with us and be Best in Class, Always.

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe in equality of opportunity for all and our approach to recruitment and selection is fair, open and based purely on merit. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. If you require reasonable adjustments in any recruitment process with us, please make us aware.