Electrical Superintendent
Carnival · Seattle · $83,200–$112,300 (stated in the posting)
Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873. Our ships offer innovative features and enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel, inviting guests to savor the journey.
The Electrical Superintendent is a senior shore‑based technical authority responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and regulatory‑compliant operation of all electrical and electronic systems across assigned vessels.
The role provides expert technical support to shipboard teams and serves as the primary electrical interface between vessels, vendors, and shore‑based stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing electrical projects and dry dock scopes, controlling electrical CAPEX and OPEX, and overseeing service agreements and contractor performance.
This position requires strong marine electrical expertise, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across an operational fleet. The Electrical Superintendent contributes to both short‑ and long‑term asset strategies, including dry dock planning, system renewals, lifecycle management, and the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies.
Working closely with shipboard Chief Electrical Officers, Supply Chain, Hotel Refurbishment, and other cross‑functional departments, the Superintendent ensures the timely and effective execution of projects while maintaining alignment with HESS principles and company standards.
The role provides technical direction, risk assessment, and decision support, delegating operational tasks to technical coordinators or shipboard personnel as appropriate.
Regular ship visits are required to assess system performance, verify maintenance practices, identify risks, and support data‑driven decision‑making for fleetwide initiatives and continuous improvement.
Here’s a summary of what Holland America Line is looking for. Is this you?
Responsibilities:
Vessel Electrical Team Support & Execution
Provide day‑to‑day technical support to shipboard Chief Electrical Engineers, Chief Engineers, and operational teams across assigned vessels. Act as shore‑side escalation point for complex electrical, automation, navigation, communication, and power‑generation issues. Support fault investigation, corrective actions, and follow‑up for electrical incidents and system failures. Ensure continued compliance with Class, Flag, statutory, and company electrical requirements. The role requires proactive identification of obsolescence risks and opportunities for modernization. Partnering with the Asset Management Group ensures consistency in standards and practices across the Holland America Line and Seabourn fleets. The Superintendent integrates environmental considerations and emerging technologies into asset planning. They assess the feasibility of extending asset life through maintenance or upgrades.
Project Execution & Coordination
Support planning and execution of electrical work during dry docks and in service periods.
Review quotations, cost estimates, and technical scopes for vessel level projects.
Coordinate vendors, riding teams, and shipboard stakeholders to ensure timely and effective execution.
Financial & Commercial Support
Develop and validate vessel level cost estimates and budget inputs.
Monitor project costs against approved budgets and escalate variances.
Ensure supporting documentation (quotes, scopes, technical justifications) is complete and compliant.
Vendor & Stakeholder Interaction
Act as the primary point of contact for vendors supporting assigned vessels.
Monitor vendor performance and escalate quality, schedule, or cost issues.
Support vendor site visits, testing, and commissioning activities.
Compliance & Safety
Ensure all electrical work aligns with regulatory, classification, and internal safety requirements.
Support audits, inspections, and incident investigations as required.
Promote consistent application of electrical safety procedures onboard.
Decision Making Authority
Recommends technical solutions, cost estimates, and execution plans.
Operates within approved budgets, standards, and delegated authority.
Escalates deviations, risks, or cross fleet impacts to Sr. Director level.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Input
Partners with cross‑functional stakeholders to ensure electrical considerations and fostering alignment between shipboard and shoreside teams.
Provides informed technical input into fleetwide initiatives, including feasibility assessments, resource implications, and electrical impacts, contributing to strategic discussions without owning enterprise‑level decisions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Scope: The Electrical Superintendent operates within Fleet Technical Operations, supporting both Holland America Line (HAL) and Seabourn (SBN). The role combines shore‑based and fleet‑facing responsibilities, with direct accountability for electrical systems across an assigned group of vessels.
Problem solving: The role requires strong technical judgment and the ability to operate in complex, fast‑paced environments. The Electrical Superintendent assesses the condition and performance of fleet electrical systems and determines optimal maintenance, upgrade, or replacement strategies. The position involves anticipating lifecycle risks, balancing cost, safety, and reliability, and making data‑driven decisions using vendor input, regulatory requirements, and performance metrics. The role frequently addresses time‑critical onboard issues, requiring rapid prioritization and coordination with shipboard teams and external partners.
Responsibilities include root‑cause analysis, implementation of sustainable corrective actions, evaluation of emerging technologies, and alignment of technical needs with budgetary constraints to ensure compliant, resilient, and efficient electrical systems.
Impact: The Electrical Superintendent has a direct impact on the reliability, safety, and modernization of the fleet’s electrical infrastructure, supporting operational continuity across Holland America Line (HAL) and Seabourn (SBN). This role influences guest experience, crew safety, and vessel readiness by ensuring electrical systems meet regulatory, class, and corporate standards. Through input into capital planning, asset lifecycle strategies, and fleetwide standardization, the position shapes long‑term asset performance and consistency. The role also supports the adoption of new technologies that enhance energy efficiency and environmental performance. Collaboration with cross‑functional teams and oversight of vendor performance ensure electrical requirements are effectively integrated into operational, refurbishment, and modernization initiatives, sustaining the fleet’s technical integrity and future readiness.
Leadership: The Electrical Superintendent provides technical and functional leadership across fleet and shore‑based operations, serving as the direct leader for Chief Electrical Officers through mentorship, guidance, and performance oversight. The role leads cross‑functional project teams involving internal stakeholders, vendors, and contractors, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely delivery. Responsibilities include managing multiple concurrent initiatives, budgets, and schedules, while influencing without authority across functions such as Corporate, Supply Chain, Hotel Refurbishment, and Fleet Governance. The Superintendent represents the electrical discipline in planning forums and technical reviews, ensures shipboard teams are equipped to meet operational and compliance requirements, and drives continuous improvement and innovation in electrical practices across the fleet.
Essential/Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Management, or equivalent maritime qualifications.
Valid certification or license supporting electrical competency at sea, such as Chief Electrical Officer or 1st Electrical Officer credentials.
Demonstrated knowledge of international electrical codes and maritime regulatory standards (e.g., IEC norms, flag state, and classification society requirements).
Certification or documented training in high-voltage systems and safety protocols.
Proficiency in the use of Planned Maintenance Systems (e.g., AMOS) for electrical asset management.
Familiarity with HESS (Health, Environment, Safety, and Security) principles and their application to electrical systems.
Ability to travel internationally and conduct shipboard inspections as required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
This position requires to be able to climb ladders and work flexible hours
Essential Experience required:
Proven experience leading the maintenance and lifecycle planning of electrical systems on large passenger vessels or equivalent maritime environments.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex capital projects involving electrical upgrades, vendor coordination, and budget oversight.
Experience supporting dry dock planning and execution, including integration of electrical systems in guest and crew areas.
Hands-on knowledge of power distribution systems, switchboards, transformers, and hotel and navigation electrical systems.
Experience working with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, Hotel Refurbishment, and Fleet Governance.
Familiarity with managing service agreements and coordinating with internal and external subject matter experts.
Experience implementing preventative maintenance strategies and responding to system failures or incidents.
Demonstrated ability to interpret technical documentation, vendor specifications, and regulatory requirements.
Experience contributing to strategic planning and budget forecasting for electrical assets.
Proven ability to support shipboard teams and influence decision-making without direct authority..
Travel: 25-50% with shipboard travel likely
Work Conditions: Work beyond normal business hours or on weekends may be required occasionally to support business needs, projects, or operations.
Physical Demands: Requires regular movement throughout company facilities.
** This position is classified as “in-office.” As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from our office in Seattle on Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their home on Fridays.
What You Can Expect
- Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
- Health Benefits
- 401(k)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Training & Professional Development
- Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement
- Base Salary Range: $83,200 to $112,300 The range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidate’s qualifications and experience uniquely.
Our Culture…Stronger Together
Our highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/our-company/mission-values.html
Holland America 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.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Holland America will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact recruiting@hollandamericagroup.com
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