We are seeking an experienced Technical Superintendent for Svitzer’s marine operations in Soyo, Angola on a 6 weeks on / 6 weeks off rotation work schedule. This is a back-to-back position, with the successful candidate working and residing in Svitzer onsite office and accommodation compound in Soyo during the work rotation. The role is open to non-Angolan candidates, subject to the approval of an Angolan work visa, which will be arranged and sponsored by the company. International travel including flights to and from the employee's home country as well as rotation-related travel and logistics, will be organised by the company.
What you can look forward to
At Svitzer, you will be part of a global organisation with almost 200 years of maritime heritage, known for setting the standard in safety, reliability, and operational excellence. We operate in complex environments where expertise matters and where your contribution has a direct impact on customers, colleagues, and communities.
You will join a business that values professionalism, collaboration, and accountability, while offering meaningful opportunities to grow your career across regions and disciplines.
You can expect:
Industry leadership: Work with a global leader in marine services, trusted by customers worldwide to deliver safe and reliable operations in demanding environments.
Career development: A role that offers breadth, visibility, and genuine development opportunities within an international organisation.
Diversity and inclusion: We believe everyone belongs. Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams, and we are committed to creating an environment where you can bring your whole self to work.
Purpose and impact: Your work will directly support port operations, offshore activities, and supply chains that keep economies and communities moving.
A strong safety culture: Safety is not just a priority, it is how we work. You will operate within a culture that puts people, standards, and responsibility first.
What you will do
This role calls for an experienced Technical Superintendent with a strong track record in managing vessel technical performance in demanding operating environments. You will be responsibility for the technical condition, safety, and availability of the Angola fleet, working closely with operations, vessel crews, contractors, and class societies. You will ensure the Angola fleet vessels are maintained and repaired safely, efficiently and to the required standards at all times.
Your key responsibilities will be:
Full ownership of technical and engineering management and support, ensuring safety and compliance with all regulations, operational efficiency and excellence, and good client relationships at all times.
Providing expert technical and engineering superintendent skills to ensure continuous and efficient running of the vessels, and vessels maintained to the highest standards possible.
Continuously driving technical excellence and customer focused solutions in terms of timely, reliable and safe service.
Continuously promoting safety awareness and working practices to enhance the safety and operational culture of Svitzer as a world leading towage provider.
Technical management, maintenance & vessel availability:
Overall onsite responsible for the technical maintenance, condition and repair the vessel fleet and associated marine equipment.
Ensure the continuous and cost-effective maintenance and repair of all vessels and associated marine equipment to prevent or minimise downtime.
Manage all planned and unplanned maintenance and repair activities, including emergency response.
Timely escalation to regional technical management and operations managers of any matter likely to impact vessel availability, including faults, damages, scope changes, or cost implications.
Act as a visible and proactive technical management presence across the fleet.
Planned maintenance systems, dry dockings & compliance:
Supervise maintenance programs for vessels and associated marine equipment.
Maintain accurate and complete maintenance records within the agreed Planned Maintenance System (PMS).
Supervise and maintain the enhanced computerised planned maintenance on company automated systems.
Assist with the further development, implementation, operation, and monitoring of PMS, incorporating deck and engine room tasks for all fleet vessels.
Ensure onboard compliance with company policies regarding planned maintenance, QA, ISM, Security, and safe operation of the fleet.
Ensure compliance with all Class, Flag and Statutory Certification for all vessels and surveys.
Prepare class surveys, flag inspections, audits and other surveys as required.
Prepare and execute Class 5-year dry dockings in close coordination with regional and local technical
team; during execution maintain close coordination with dry docking superintendent.
Ensure all operations are conducted in accordance with company procedures and safety requirements.
Ensure Svitzer’s HSEQ and Marine Standards policies and procedures are adhered to by employees, contractors, and other stakeholders at all times.
Ensure participation and strict compliance with all Health, Safety, & Environment rules, regulations, company policies and processes when/where applicable, in particular with regard to the environment.
Proactive participation in the company’s safety management system (HMS)
Budget, procurement & contractor management:
Monitor and control maintenance and repair budget of the marine units.
Prepare and submit CAPEX and M&R budgets for review by country and regional management.
Monitor of expenditure associated with all planned and unplanned maintenance and repair activities.
Arrange and manage local supply contracts and service arrangements to ensure continuity within the operating budget.
Liaison, inventory control and negotiation with local suppliers & contactors on cost, availability and supply of stores and spare parts
Manage stock control system and spares ordering procedure.
Monitor the ordering of lubes and engine room consumables - amount and quality.
Directly supervise subcontractors working on the company’s vessels and equipment onsite.
Engineering crew management:
Liaise with, supervise, and assess vessel engineering crews
Manage Chief Engineers to ensure compliance with Svitzer policies and procedures at all times.
Recruitment, selection, training and onboarding of vessel Engineers in accordance with company guidelines
Assist in all aspects of the promotion of local content requirements (“Angolanisation”)
Ensure all crews have appropriate training to meet Svitzer OVMSA requirements and deliver training required to meet OVMSA compliance.
Act as training coordinator / facilitator when required.
Maintain oversight and management of crew to ensure a safe working environment is maintained always.
Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and experience:
Marine Engineer Class 1 Certificate of Competency (STCW ’95 III/2)
Experience as Chief Engineer, with specific knowledge of harbour and terminal towage operations and ASD marine propulsion units. Relevant offshore vessel experience may also be considered.
Previous similar role experience in the management of marine technical and engineering management, including end-to-end management of dry dockings and class/statutory survey periods.
Comprehensive technical knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of marine systems and equipment within an IACS class environment.
Strong understanding of marine coating systems, surface preparation, and corrosion prevention strategies.
Practical experience with Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and defect management processes.
Experience managing critical and operationally essential spare parts inventories.
Proven capability in budget preparation, forecasting, and cost control for maintenance and repair.
Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to structure information clearly and engage effectively across multiple organisational levels and with internal and external stakeholders across multiple organisation levels and with external and internal stakeholders, including during negotiations and project execution.
Demonstrated people leadership capability, both onshore and offshore; preferably gained from working in a multi-cultural operating environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and MS Project
Fluency in written and spoken English
As a person, you are recognised as having:
Attention to detail, with well-developed diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
High sense of urgency and accountability. with the ability to make sound decisions and prioritise effectively.
Excellent organisational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, delegate appropriately, and work effectively under pressure.
Self-motivated, proactive, resilient, and well organised, with a strong drive to deliver results.
Curious and hands-on in approach, with a willingness to challenge, learn, and continuously improve ways of working.
High level of professionalism, honesty, and integrity.
Strong understanding of change management and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organisation structure.
Ability to work in a global business environment with a strong sense of cultural diversity.
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.