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Job Description

Overview

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking a First Assistant Engineer for R/V Atlantis, responsible for the operation, maintenance, and safety of engine department machinery and personnel. This role involves planning and supervising work, ensuring safety, and maintaining equipment.

Responsibilities

  • Plans, assigns, and supervises work of engine department personnel.
  • Assists the Chief Engineer in planning maintenance and repair schedules.
  • Reports condition of engine department equipment and personnel.
  • Maintains a machinery log of repair dates and supplies.
  • Monitors engine department stores and prepares requisitions.
  • Maintains HVAC systems and checks refrigeration plant.
  • Stands engine room watch and supervises Oiler.
  • Keeps a log of all watch operations and conditions.
  • Supervises maintenance and repair of engine room equipment in port.
  • Assists with loading freshwater bunkers.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in diesel engines, electrical maintenance, and HVAC equipment.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited sea service academy or equivalent work experience.
  • Four years’ sea duty as an engineering officer.
  • Computer literacy in word-processing, inventory management, and electronic mail programs.
  • Prefer First Assistant Engineer experience on similar research vessel.
  • Must possess a U.S. Coast Guard license, preferably First Assistant Engineering Unlimited Horsepower.
  • Must have a valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Credential and Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Must hold an unexpired Passport.
  • Good communication and personnel management skills.
  • In-depth understanding of ship's engines and related equipment.
  • Must be able to pass a DOT Pre-employment drug screen.
  • Must hold an unexpired USCG medical certificate.

Additional Information

  • Hourly rate of $57.87 reflects the base pay for new hires.
  • Annual compensation will be based on the hourly rate and hours worked.
  • Working at least 8 hours per day, potentially over 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.
  • Work at sea for three to five months continuously.
  • Live and work in cramped quarters, frequently in bad weather.
  • Must pass examinations for visual acuity, color sense, and hearing.
  • Physical labor required, including lifting and climbing.
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How this job compares in Iselin, NJ

Pay in context

At roughly $58/hr, this posting sits about 65% above the $35/hr median for welding jobs across New Jersey — toward the top of a $30–$40/hr middle band drawn from 143 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 98% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Iselin, NJ

Iselin, NJ is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across New Jersey as a whole we're tracking 216 other active welding openings from 131 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across New Jersey.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution currently has 2 other openings live in New Jersey, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in New Jersey at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Rhoads Industries (12), gpac (10), and Gpac (10). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within New Jersey, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Camden at $51/hr, Northvale at $40/hr, and Newark at $38/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Iselin, NJ

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. First Assistant Engineer figures were last recalculated when this page was built.