Assistant Chief Engineer

Summary: 

Silver Bay Seafoods is currently looking for an Assistant Chief Engineer for one of our processing plants in Alaska. As the Assistant Chief Engineer, you will support the Chief Engineer in overseeing the maintenance and engineering operations of our Alaskan processing facility. You will play a key role in assessing plant-wide maintenance needs, executing preventative maintenance schedules, and supervising department heads and personnel across multiple technical disciplines. You will specifically assist in managing complex refrigeration systems including NH3 (anhydrous ammonia), R22, and other refrigerants used in facility and vessel operations. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the Plant Manager Chief Engineer to develop and implement strategic plans for optimizing production speeds and processes while prioritizing the safety of employees and equipment.
  
• Provide strong leadership and direction to engineering and maintenance department heads and staff, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented work environment focused on continuous improvement. Report directly to the Chief Engineer on team performance and departmental initiatives.
  
• Assemble and lead a highly skilled team to troubleshoot and repair equipment and machinery across departments during emergencies and planned downtime. Keep the Plant Manager and Chief Engineer informed of critical situations and resolutions.
  
• Oversee engineering and maintenance personnel throughout all production phases, ensuring peak performance during both busy and slow seasons. Provide regular reports to the Chief Engineer on operational efficiency and areas for improvement.
  
• Champion proactive maintenance strategies, including identifying and implementing equipment modifications to enhance production efficiency and minimize downtime. Collaborate with the Chief Engineer to secure budget and resources for improvement initiatives.
  
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential safety hazards in the workplace, ensuring strict adherence to all company policies and safety protocols. Report any safety concerns or incidents to the Chief Engineer promptly.
  
• Play a key role in organizing and training the emergency response team, leading safe evacuation procedures in the event of an incident. Coordinate with the Chief Engineer on emergency response protocols and updates.
  
• Orchestrate all engineering and maintenance activities during production, including assigning personnel, scheduling maintenance and repairs across departments and shifts. Report on progress and potential roadblocks to the Chief Engineer.
  
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive inventory management system for parts, tools, and other maintenance supplies, ensuring readily available resources to support optimal operations. Collaborate with the Chief Engineer on optimizing inventory control strategies.
  
• Provide oversight of parts and tool orders submitted by department heads, verifying accuracy and suitability for equipment assembly. Report any discrepancies or potential issues to the Chief Engineer.
  
• Manage all necessary paperwork, including material orders, time sheets, and other essential documentation for efficient record-keeping.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned to support team objectives and organizational goals.
  

Functional Skills: 

• Multi-Disciplinary Engineering: Advanced, hands-on experience in Millwrighting, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems (including Electrical Control and PLC).
  
• Specialized Refrigeration: Extensive knowledge of refrigeration theory, operation, and maintenance; expert-level troubleshooting and repair on both low temp and RSW systems.
  
• Industrial Maintenance & Repair: Comprehensive working knowledge of industrial machinery and facilities maintenance, including Diesel Engines, Rolling Stock, and Building Maintenance.
  
• Fabrication & Construction: Proficient in General Construction, Painting, Fabricating, and various Welding processes.
  
• Project Lifecycle Management: Expert in the full project scope: research, planning, design, implementation, and strategic parts ordering.
  
• Systems & Inventory Control: Skilled in IT as it relates to engineering systems and the establishment of comprehensive inventory management for parts, tools, and supplies.
  
• Administrative Oversight: Proficient in technical documentation, including material orders, time sheets, and departmental record-keeping.
  

Interpersonal Skills:

• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to provide direction to department heads and staff, fostering a results-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement.
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highly effective at partnering with the Plant Manager and Chief Engineer to optimize production speeds and align engineering goals with safety.
  
• Crisis & Emergency Management: Skilled in assembling and leading teams to repair equipment during emergencies; experience in organizing and leading emergency response and evacuation procedures.
  
• Communication & Reporting: Transparent and timely reporting to senior leadership regarding team performance, critical situations, and operational roadblocks.
  
• Proactive Problem Solving: A "Champion" of proactive maintenance, identifying equipment modifications to minimize downtime and mitigate potential safety hazards.
  
• Accountability & Mentorship: Dedicated to training staff and ensuring strict adherence to company policies and safety protocols.
  

Education and Experience:

• Significant, "highly experienced" background (10+ years) in multiple engineering disciplines within an industrial or processing environment.
  
• Journeyman-level training or vocational certification in a core engineering trade (e.g., Electrical, Refrigeration, or Mechanical).
  
• Demonstrated track record of managing large-scale refrigeration systems (Low Temp and RSW) and facility-wide maintenance programs.
  
• Previous experience in a supervisory or leadership role, overseeing multi-disciplinary engineering and maintenance personnel.
  
• Applicable trade licenses (e.g., HVAC/Refrigeration certification, Electrical license).
  
• Advanced Safety/OSHA certifications (e.g., OSHA 30-Hour).
  
• Specialized training in PLC programming or industrial automation.
  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts and frequently exposed to extreme cold. 
  
• The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
  
• The noise level in the work  environment is usually loud.
  
• The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employer must be able to climb or descend one or more sets of steep stairs or vertical ladders both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. 
  
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision and depth perception. 
  
• The employee is required to distinguish shades of color to identify abnormalities and/or defects in food products.
  

Mental Activities
The employee is frequently required to set an example by consistently modeling high standards of honesty and integrity. Is widely trusted and is a direct, truthful individual who presents information in an appropriate and helpful manner. Maintains a reputation for honesty, confidentiality, reliability, and fairness. Is willing to admit mistakes and does not misrepresent him/herself for personal gain. Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself. 

• Health Insurance: Employees, as well as their families, are eligible for health benefits that include medical, dental and vision benefits. Employees are also eligible for basic life insurance, long-term disability, as well as voluntary life insurance benefits for them and their families.   
  
• Employee Assistance Program: Available for employees and their families.   
  
• Retirement Plan: Employees are eligible for the Silver Bay Seafoods safe harbor retirement 401(k) plan.   
  
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: Employees are eligible for Paid Time Off (PTO) plan benefits which start at 3 weeks a year, go up based on years of service, and receive 8 paid holidays each year.   
  
• Other Compensation: Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.   
  

Silver Bay Seafoods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.    

If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to humanresources@silverbayseafoods.com.   

Requirements

Benefits