Manager, Underwater Systems

Manager, Underwater Systems

This role is based in Weybridge, UK.

Journey with us!

Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our Global Marine Operations team. Royal Caribbean Group is pleased to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.

About Us

Royal Caribbean Group is the world’s largest cruise line. It couldn’t be a more exciting time to join a global business that is blazing a trail in the travel industry right now.

At Royal Caribbean Group we never rest on our laurels; we constantly strive to improve our work and be at the forefront of the industry. The work that we do is exciting, challenging, and innovative. We are passionate, we are innovative, and we are unstoppable.

The Role

The Underwater Systems Manager serves as the organization’s subject‑matter expert in podded propulsion, thrusters, fin stabilizers, and related underwater systems. This role oversees system performance, maintenance, and optimization across the fleet, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The position requires close collaboration with vessel leadership, shipyards, vendors, classification societies, and internal Marine Technical Operations and Marine Technology teams. Occasional travel and vessel visits are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Support

• Serve as the primary technical authority for underwater mechanical systems fleetwide.
• Provide expert guidance and high‑level troubleshooting support to shoreside and onboard technical teams.
• Monitor propulsion system performance using diagnostics and condition‑monitoring tools in collaboration with vendors and Marine Asset Management.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee repairs, maintenance, overhauls, and dry‑dock activities for podded propulsion and underwater systems.
• Manage major underwater system repairs, obsolescence programs, and complex technical projects.
• Lead root‑cause investigations, corrective actions, and fleetwide lessons‑learned processes.

Operational Management

• Deliver first‑ and second‑level support to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant vessel operations.
• Maintain strong communication with Marine Technical Operations, Marine Technology, and onboard engineering leadership.
• Coordinate underwater system projects with Ship Managers and shipboard management.
• Provide technical training and operational best practices to shipboard engineering teams.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to international regulations (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL), classification society requirements (e.g., DNV, Lloyd’s), and company safety and environmental policies.
• Conduct ship visits, inspections, and condition assessments to verify compliance and operational readiness.
• Lead investigations of underwater system incidents, implementing corrective and preventive measures.
• Follow up on conditions of class, non‑conformities, and audit findings.

Project & Vendor Management

• Manage vendor relationships, including ABB and other OEM partners, for warranty claims, upgrades, and technical support.
• Lead underwater systems workstreams within dry‑dock, revitalization, and special projects.
• Stay current with technical bulletins and safety communications, ensuring timely fleet implementation.
• Prepare technical reports, performance analyses, and recommendations, including modernization and efficiency‑improvement opportunities.
• Support the Newbuilding Department with specifications, trials, and guarantee-phase activities.

Financial Responsibilities

• Develop and manage maintenance budgets, spare‑parts planning, and long‑term service agreements in partnership with Technical Operations.
• Manage underwater system capital projects and CARs, including multi‑million‑dollar initiatives.
• Ensure financial accountability and effective cost‑management for assigned CAPEX projects.
  
  

Qualifications / Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent maritime qualifications (e.g., Chief Engineer License).

Experience

• Strong knowledge of electric propulsion and underwater mechanical systems, including ABB Azipod platforms (XO, and VO).
• Experience in fleet technical management, dry-dock execution, and budget oversight.
• Familiarity with high-power propulsion (10–22 MW) and vessels using azimuthing pods (cruise, ferry, offshore).
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred

• ABB Marine Academy Azipod certification.
• Experience with ice-class or high-maneuverability vessels.
• Knowledge of hybrid-propulsion trends and emerging efficiency technologies.
• Proficiency with data-analytics tools and fleet-management systems.

Work Environment

• Office-based role with travel to vessels, shipyards, and vendors as required.