Third Assistant Engineer - Trainee

This is a shipboard position with the Military Sealift Command, a U.S. Navy command. Ships operate worldwide, so the work is at sea and the San Diego location is a reference point only; assignments are made by MSC. Applications are submitted through MSC's own application portal (apply.sealiftcommand.com) - contacting your Veteran Staffing Consultant does not submit one.

Trainee pay: starting salary $70,504; the average annual salary upon credentialing is $208,790.

Announcement opens continuously from 10/05/2026, with periodic cut-offs.

The Third Assistant Engineer (in Training) is a civil service mariner (CIVMAR) in a developmental training status, employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, contested or uncontested environments.

Qualifications

• **MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: ** • Must be a United States Citizen of at least 18 years of age. • Possess and maintain a valid U.S. Passport with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date. • Possess and maintain a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) and/or Department of Defense (DOD) Common Access Card with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date. • United States Coast Guard (USCG) Medical Certificate without any Limitations/Restrictions, with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date. • United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC), with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date with the following endorsement(s): Ordinary Seaman, Wiper, Stewards Department (FH) with a minimum of ten (10) months remaining of expiration date
• LICENSING AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
• • Former or current U.S. Navy Surface Engineering Community Ratings E6 or senior at time of separation or application: Electrician's Mate (EM), Engineman (EN), Damage Controlman (DC), Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GS or GSM), Hull Technician (HT), Machinery Repairman (MR) or Machinist Mate (MM)
• or other equivalent branches of the U.S. Military with the following:
• - Experience in operating, maintaining, and
• managing critical machinery to keep the vessel running in austere, high-stakes environments, - Experience as a Marine Engineering Officer, Watercraft Engineer or Naval Engineering
• and experience as a front-line supervisor, team lead, or work manager
• AND Five (5) years minimum shipboard experience and Qualified in all of the following:
• Engine Room Operator (or hull-specific equivalent)
• Maintenance Person
• Craftsman/Quality Assurance
• OR • Commercial experience with QMED (Qualified Member of the Engineering Dept.) ratings in Oiler, Junior Engineer, Fireman/Watertender, Pumpman/Machinist, and Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer operating the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of a vessel, standing watch in the engine room, monitoring pressures and temperatures, recording readings in the logbook and assisting the licensed engineers, with the following:
• Minimum of 3 years of cumulative sea duty including EITHER 1,080 days of engine-room service, including 720 days as a QMED (note: 90 days of deck service on vessels of 100 GRT or more is creditable).
• Experience in performing repairs and overhauls on main engines and auxiliary machinery under the direction of the First Assistant Engineer.
• Experience in fabricating and performing precision repairs, not just replacing parts.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) (any power plant) • Experience with shipboard maintenance documentation and diagnostics • Familiarity with MSC platforms or hybrid-manned engineering systems • Degree from an accredited Maritime Academy, or equivalent maritime education

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for Military Sealift Command is Chuck Callahan.