The VP of Technical Operations will serve as a key strategic and operational leader to support the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our fleet. Reporting directly to the SVP of Technical Operations, this role will serve as a critical link between the fleet and shoreside leadership, with direct oversight of vessel maintenance strategy, drydock execution, engineering performance, and technical compliance. The VP will provide technical leadership and direction to fleet engineering teams, internal stakeholders, and third-party service providers to drive performance, sustainability, and continuous improvement across the fleet.

Responsibilities

• Fleet Technical Management

  • Provide strategic and operational leadership over shipboard technical operations, including mechanical, propulsion, electrical, HVAC, and structural systems.

  • Serve as the escalation point for complex engineering challenges, collaborating closely with Technical Operations Directors/ Managers and relevant shipboard technical leaders as well as cross-departmental leads.

  • Ensure all technical operations meet or exceed requirements under SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, Flag State, Class, and corporate HESS policies.

• Maintenance & Drydock Planning 

  • Lead the strategic development and execution of major drydock projects, including scope development, contractor selection, budget adherence, and delivery timelines.

  • Direct lifecycle management and scheduling of major drydock including cost estimation, contractor negotiations, and project execution oversight.

  • Drive adoption of predictive and condition-based maintenance practices to improve reliability and minimize unplanned downtime.  

• Operational Performance & Efficiency

  • Develop and track key technical KPIs (e.g., fuel consumption, technical downtime, maintenance backlog) and recommend data-driven interventions to improve performance.

  • Collaborate with the Environmental and Marine Operations teams to implement energy efficiency initiatives and reduce carbon intensity.

  • Partner with the Fuel & Energy Management team to support CCL’s decarbonization strategy and compliance with IMO 2030/2050 objectives.

  • Partner with procurement and supply chain to evaluate technical vendor performance, improve spare parts logistics, and standardize critical components across the fleet.

  • Ensure all systems and processes comply with environmental standards and Carnival’s sustainability commitments, including emissions reduction, waste treatment, and energy efficiency.

• Safety, Risk & Compliance 

  • Champion a safety-first culture across shipboard and shoreside teams; support root cause analysis and corrective actions following technical incidents.

  • Lead technical audits and inspections, coordinate with internal auditors and external regulators on safety and compliance reviews.

• Leadership & Collaboration

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of technical professionals including Technical Operations Directors, managers, technical superintendents.

  • Provide feedback on development and succession planning of shipboard engineering leadership roles.

  • Foster cross-functional collaboration with Marine Operations, Environmental Compliance, Finance, and Supply Chain, and Finance teams to align strategies, share resources, and manage costs.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

• Chief Engineer license or equivalent credential preferred.

• Master’s degree is a plus.

• Demonstrated expertise in marine systems, drydock execution, fuel optimization, and regulatory compliance.

• Strong business acumen, with experience managing technical OPEX and CAPEX budgets.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills; able to influence across all levels.

• Strong understanding of international maritime regulatory frameworks and classification society requirements.

• Experience managing multi-million-dollar technical budgets and large-scale projects.

• Ability to assess operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Technically proficient with maintenance management systems (e.g., AMOS, Maximo), ship automation platforms, and data analytics tools.

• 10–15 years of experience in shipboard and shoreside technical roles, including drydock oversight.

• At least 5 years in a senior leadership position with multi-vessel responsibility.

• This position is classified as “in-office.” As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their home on Fridays. Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 

  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 

  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 

  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage 

• Financial Benefits: 

  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 

  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 

• Paid Time Off:

  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion. 

  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 

  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   

• Other Benefits:

  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 

  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement

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