Not Everyone Is Cut Out for Tug Work - That’s Exactly the Point.
Svitzer is looking for a Marine Engineer to join our Southampton operation.
This is not a passive maintenance role. Tug engineering is hands-on, demanding, and unforgiving of shortcuts. You will be relied upon to keep powerful vessels operational in a fast-moving port environment, where downtime is not an option and standards matter.
If you want responsibility, real engineering challenges, and a genuine route to Chief Engineer, this is where you earn it.
This Is What the Job Really Looks Like
Maintaining and operating high-power tug machinery in a live port environment
Diagnosing faults and fixing problems under pressure
Owning the condition, safety, and readiness of your engine room
Supporting the Master and crew to keep the tug operational at all times
Working as part of a small, professional crew where trust and competence matter
If you’re looking for a quiet engine room, this isn’t it.
If you want to become a better engineer, it probably is.
Why Svitzer?
Because tug engineering should be done properly.
1 week on / 1 week off rotation – work hard, then properly switch off
Modern, well-maintained fleet – no corner-cutting, no neglected machinery
Clear route to Chief Engineer (SV) – many of our senior engineers started here
Real support for development – mentoring, training, and funded progression
We don’t promise an easy job.
We promise one that will make you better at what you do.
What You Get
Salary from £54,605.71 per annum
Time-for-Time contract
Pension matched up to 10%
Life Cover (4x pensionable salary) and Single Private Medical Insurance
7 days leave after 3 years’ service
Company-funded training and certification
Uniforms and PPE provided
Employee Assistance Programme
What You Bring
STCW III/3 Engineering Officer of the Watch minimum (III/2 preferred)
Valid ENG1 and STCW certification (minimum 6 months validity)
Strong fault-finding, maintenance, and problem-solving skills
Harbour towage or small-vessel experience preferred
A professional mindset and pride in safe, reliable engineering
The right to live and work in the UK
Living within approximately a 30 minute commute of the Port of Southampton
A full UK driving licence and own transport are required to access the port
If you want to progress to become our next Chief Engineer, this could be the move that defines your career.
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.