Foss Lightering Engineer - Long Beach, California

About Foss Maritime

Foss Maritime is one of the most recognized and respected maritime brands in the U.S., combining a rich legacy with a forward-thinking approach to industry innovation. While deeply rooted in tradition, Foss is evolving at a fast pace, continuously setting new standards for operational excellence and sustainability.

With operations spanning all U.S. coasts and global transportation projects, Foss is a leader in harbor and terminal towage, tug and barge transportation, and offshore energy solutions, including traditional energy and offshore wind projects. Our primary operations are on the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii.

As part of the Saltchuk family of companies, Foss is a values-driven organization that takes pride in its exceptional team, commitment to safety, and dedication to customer success. With a culture built on integrity, innovation, and collaboration, Foss Maritime remains a trusted leader in the maritime industry.

About the Role

As a Lightering Engineer, you’ll be an essential part of our mission to provide safe and reliable maritime services. You’ll work alongside a dedicated team that values professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do

Essential Functions & Duties — Shoreside

• Equipment readiness: Maintain, inspect, and support the upkeep of customer-owned lightering gear to ensure readiness for safe and efficient operations.
• Equipment and vehicle operation: Operate forklifts, cranes, company trucks, and other assigned equipment in support of shoreside maintenance, staging, and logistics activities.
• Inventory and materials control: Track customer-owned inventory, lightering gear, stores, and spare parts for vessels participating in PAL operations.
• Warehouse and yard support: Maintain the organization, cleanliness, and efficient use of the warehouse and maintenance yard.
• Logistics and vessel support: Assist with delivery of stores, spare parts, and customer-owned materials to support vessels and ongoing lightering operations.

Essential Functions & Duties — Offshore

• Operational readiness: Under the direction of Customer Lightering Masters, support the lightering team in preparing for safe, compliant, and efficient ship-to-ship transfer operations.
• Lightering gear and hose handling: Rig, secure, and handle lightering gear and cargo transfer hoses during offshore lightering operations.
• Mooring and vessel coordination: Assist with mooring and unmooring operations while maintaining effective communication with vessel and support vessel crews.
• Emergency response readiness: Serve as part of the oil spill response team aboard the lightering support vessel and participate in response activities as directed.
• Safety and marine compliance: Follow established safety, environmental, and marine operational procedures throughout offshore operations.

What We’re Looking For

• Maritime knowledge: General knowledge of seamanship, vessel deck operations, and safe marine work practices.
• Training and certification readiness: Ability to attend, understand, and successfully complete training and certification courses required to meet regulatory standards and support safe, environmentally responsible operations.
• Equipment and vehicle operation: Ability to operate forklifts of various sizes, company vehicles, including a 12-foot stake bed truck, and qualify for future certification on company-owned cranes.
• Physical capability: Must be in good physical condition and able to access offices, shops, vessels, and ships at sea, including boarding vessels and lifting moderately heavy materials.
• Schedule flexibility: Ability to work overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, and varied schedules as operational needs require.

What We Offer

• Pay for this position will be $41.62/ hour (shoreside) and $710.85 (offshore day rate)
• Benefits
• Opportunities for advancement in a legacy-rich company
• Training and development programs
• A culture rooted in safety, respect, and teamwork

How to Apply

Ready to set sail with Foss? Submit your application via our careers page. If you need any assistance please reach out to fossjobs@foss.com. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Drug Free Workplace

Foss Maritime Company LLC is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Foss Maritime Company LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.