Marine Engineers - Deepwater Fishing Vessels

About the Company At Sanford, we take pride in our rich seafood heritage that spans over 100 years. Our passion for the industry drives us forward as we work towards our vision of leadership in New Zealand seafood. We achieve this through a values-driven approach centered on care, passion, integrity, and collaboration in all our endeavors. About the Role We invite you to join our deep-water fleet, which comprises 12 fishing vessels operating year-round from Cape Reinga to the Ross Sea. Our deep-sea vessels can spend up to 12 weeks at sea, where they catch, process, and package seafood on board, delivering the finest New Zealand seafood to tables around the world. As a Marine Engineer with Sanford, you will have the chance to work on one of our vessels, which may include scampi boats, trawlers, and longliners. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining the mechanical and electrical performance of the vessel's engineering systems. You will collaborate closely with the Skipper and the rest of the crew to ensure safe and efficient operations while contributing to the production of high-quality New Zealand seafood. Our vessels operate from various ports, including Timaru and Tauranga, across New Zealand waters. We pride ourselves on maintaining a strong, values-led culture where our people are considered our most important asset. This is an Independent Contractor position, with a rotation schedule of six weeks on and six weeks off. Sanford will cover your travel costs to and from the vessel for each journey. Responsibilities - Ensure the optimal functioning of all marine engineering systems, including diesel-electric propulsion and electric trawl winches, through regular maintenance and repairs. - Troubleshoot, identify, and resolve technical issues promptly to ensure smooth operations during fishing voyages. - Work proactively to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize the vessel's environmental impact. - Maintain and enforce health and safety protocols, ensuring that all engineering systems are routinely inspected and compliant with maritime safety regulations. About You - You hold a minimum MEC 5 or MEC 4 Certificate of Competency (or equivalent). - You are proficient in marine engineering systems, with preferred experience in diesel-electric propulsion and trawl winch operations. - You have demonstrated experience in maintaining and repairing marine vessels, including ammonia or refrigerant-based freezing systems. - You possess a strong understanding of New Zealand maritime and operational regulations, including MOSS, HSWA, Fisheries Act, and MPI food safety. - You have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in isolated and challenging sea-based environments. About the Fleet Sanford operates a diverse fleet of deep-water and scampi vessels, dedicated to delivering premium seafood to international markets. Our deep-water fleet consists of six vessels—San Waitaki, San Enterprise, San Discovery, San Granit, San Aspiring, and San Aotea II. These vessels primarily operate in the Southern Ocean on voyages lasting six to eight weeks, targeting species such as hoki, orange roughy, squid, ling, and Antarctic toothfish. They are equipped to process and freeze products on board to meet export standards, including H&G, fillets, squid tubes, fishmeal, and fish oil. Additionally, our scampi fleet includes seven smaller deep-sea trawlers—Albatross II, Drysdale, Venture K, San Tangaroa, San Aramand, San Tongariro, and San Koura Rangi. These vessels target scampi in New Zealand waters, freezing and packing the product at sea for delivery to Bluff, Timaru, or direct export from Tauranga. Eligibility Candidates must be eligible to work in New Zealand. Our recruitment process includes pre-engagement checks, which consist of a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.