The Senior Boiler Technician leads the operation, inspection, maintenance, and troubleshooting of marine steam boiler systems onboard vessels or in shore-based marine facilities. With expertise comparable to the former U.S. Navy BT (Boiler Technician) senior roles, this position is responsible for overseeing boiler room operations, Class compliance, and technical performance of steam-generating systems. The senior technician ensures safe practices, mentors junior staff, manages inspections, and coordinates with engineering officers and Class societies to maintain boiler integrity and system reliability.
Oversee and supervise the operation of marine boilers, steam loops, and associated systems including fuel oil conditioning, feedwater treatment, economizers, and auxiliary steam lines.
Lead troubleshooting of complex boiler faults, such as burner control issues, feedwater irregularities, combustion inefficiencies, and steam quality problems.
Conduct and document scheduled maintenance, safety device testing, and internal/external boiler inspections in line with Class society rules (ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s).
Manage and adjust burner fuel-air ratios, flame sensors, and control logic to optimize thermal performance and emission compliance.
Develop and implement chemical treatment protocols and monitor water quality metrics (phosphate levels, TDS, pH, etc.) to prevent scaling and corrosion.
Coordinate and oversee hydrostatic testing, descaling operations, and dry dock maintenance tasks, including Class survey readiness.
Train and supervise junior and mid-level technicians in boiler operation, emergency procedures, and documentation standards.
Maintain compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, and flag-state boiler operation requirements.
Support engineering staff in root cause analysis, efficiency upgrades, and failure prevention planning for steam and auxiliary heating systems.
Ensure correct logkeeping, performance reporting, and communication with the Chief Engineer or Marine Superintendent on operational status.
Leadership in marine boiler operations, inspection readiness, and safety management
Optimization of combustion and steam efficiency
Compliance with regulatory and Class requirements for marine pressure systems
Mentorship and team oversight in engine room operations
Education:
Technical diploma or trade certification in Marine Engineering, Power Plant Operations, or Mechanical Systems
Advanced boiler operation training or manufacturer-specific certification (preferred)
Experience:
7+ years of hands-on experience with marine boiler systems, including at least 2–3 years in a senior or lead capacity
Experience with both marine steam propulsion and auxiliary heating systems, preferably including naval platforms
Technical Skills:
In-depth understanding of boiler combustion systems, feedwater controls, deaerators, and superheaters
Skilled in preparing for Class society inspections and audits
Competency in combustion efficiency tuning, steam load balancing, and pressure vessel safety management
Familiarity with automated boiler control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and diagnostic software
Strong grasp of steam system safety, leak detection, venting, and emergency procedures
Soft Skills:
Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication abilities
Proactive problem-solving and high accountability under time-critical operations
Safety-focused with a clear understanding of marine regulatory environments
Adept at documentation, reporting, and coordinating with ship officers or shore-based engineering support