CHIEF ENGINEER

Aman at Sea is the maritime expression of one of the world’s most singular luxury lifestyle brands carrying the Aman philosophy of peace, space, and authentic human connection beyond the shore. Guided by Aman’s enduring mission to create transformative experiences that change the way guests see the world, our inaugural luxury motor yacht, Amangati, is shaped by the same design integrity, radical personalization, and peerless service that have defined Aman since 1988. At the heart of Aman is a belief in the power of stillness, the beauty of place, and the art of considered hospitality — values that live as much in our people as in our spaces. Every member of our shipboard leadership team is a keeper of that philosophy, and a living ambassador of the Aman brand.

Position Summary

Aman at Sea is seeking an exceptional Chief Engineer to serve as the technical cornerstone of Amangati, quietly enabling the serene and immersive Aman experience through flawless engineering performance. The Chief Engineer is a senior leader onboard, embodying Aman’s values of precision, discretion, and understated excellence, while ensuring that every technical aspect of the vessel operates seamlessly, safely, and sustainably.

This role calls for a highly accomplished maritime engineering professional with deep technical expertise, sound judgment, and a refined understanding of ultra‑luxury hospitality. The Chief Engineer leads with calm confidence, fostering a culture of safety, environmental responsibility, and operational integrity, while working in close partnership with the Captain and senior officers to support effortless guest experience.

The Chief Engineer holds responsibility for the safe operation, reliability, and readiness of all engineering systems, ensuring the highest standards of compliance, sustainability, and technical performance. This role extends beyond machinery management, contributing directly to Aman’s philosophy by ensuring that complex systems remain invisible to guests, allowing peace, comfort, and continuity to define every voyage.

The position will initially commence in the shipyard phase in Genoa, Italy, where the Chief Engineer will play a critical role in supporting the vessel’s construction, commissioning, inspections, testing, and engineering operational readiness. This phase requires close collaboration with shipyard teams, technical management, classification societies, and shoreside leadership to ensure Amangati is delivered to Aman’s exacting standards. Following delivery, the Chief Engineer will transition into full operational service, providing continuity of technical leadership and setting the benchmark for engineering excellence as the yacht enters service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership of the Engineering Department, ensuring the safe, efficient, and seamless operation of all machinery and technical systems at all times.

• During the shipyard phase, partner closely with shipyard management, site teams, and technical stakeholders in Genoa, Italy, supporting construction oversight, commissioning, inspections, testing, and engineering operational readiness as the vessel progresses toward delivery.

• Maintain full oversight of all engineering operations, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations, classification requirements, environmental legislation, and Company standards.

• Foster a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and operational excellence within the Engineering Department and across the vessel.

• Lead and mentor senior engineering officers and crew, ensuring high levels of engagement, professionalism, technical competence, and accountability.

• Oversee the implementation and strict adherence to the Company’s Management System, including safety, environmental, energy, and security‑related engineering procedures.

• Collaborate closely with the Master, Staff Captain, and department heads to ensure seamless coordination of all technical and operational shipboard activities.

• Ensure the highest standards of machinery maintenance, system reliability, and technical readiness, supporting uninterrupted operations and an effortless guest experience.

• Serve as the primary engineering liaison with shoreside technical management, shipyards, classification societies, flag authorities, and external technical stakeholders.

• Support the Aman brand experience through discreet leadership, ensuring that all engineering operations quietly enable comfort, serenity, and refined luxury for guests.

• Oversee engineering safety standards, crew welfare, and discipline within the department, promoting a respectful, professional, and positive working environment.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience serving as Chief Engineer on luxury cruise vessels, expedition vessels, or equivalent senior engineering command roles.

• Demonstrated career progression through senior engineering leadership positions (Second Engineer, Chief Engineer), reflecting exceptional technical expertise, systems knowledge, and departmental command capability.

• Proven leadership experience managing complex engineering operations and leading multidisciplinary technical teams within a luxury hospitality or expedition environment.

• Impeccable safety and environmental compliance record, with a strong and consistent commitment to regulatory excellence, risk management, and operational integrity.

• Experience aboard smaller luxury vessels or expedition‑style ships is highly desirable, coupled with a strong appreciation for the standards, discretion, and reliability expected in an ultra‑luxury guest environment.

• Previous involvement in shipyard newbuild projects, commissioning phases, or major dry‑dock refits is strongly preferred.

• Strong working knowledge of international maritime and engineering regulations, including SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS, flag‑state requirements, class rules, and environmental frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to support and represent a luxury brand, balancing technical leadership with a deep understanding of how engineering excellence underpins a seamless guest experience.

• An exceptional leadership presence, with the ability to inspire confidence, build trust, and develop high‑performing engineering teams through calm, decisive, and respectful leadership.

• Highly refined interpersonal skills, with exceptional discretion, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence when interacting with guests, senior leadership, shipyard partners, and shoreside stakeholders.

Certifications

Candidates must hold valid International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certification, along with the appropriate flag state certification