Lead Planning Engineer

Lead - Plan Approval Engineer

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Plan Approval Engineer to lead and coordinate plan review for newbuild vessels, with a strong focus on design compliance, risk management, and stakeholder guidance throughout the design cycle. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience reviewing plans and technical specifications, collaborating closely with shipyards, makers, and classification societies to ensure designs meet rules, regulations, and our client's specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the plan review process for newbuild vessels and manage review activities across stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance through all stages of the design process.
• Evaluate and approve designs, plans, drawings, and technical specifications for compliance with newbuild specifications and applicable rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Participate in design risk assessments; identify potential design issues and recommend improvements and solutions.
• Drive and/or participate in Yard Selection and Maker Selection, consistently acting in the client's best interests.
• Stay current with advancements in technologies, rules, and best practices in vessel design, construction, and operation.

Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal English (business and technical) and strong computer skills: MS Office, SharePoint, AutoCAD.
• Served as lead plan approval engineer for at least one project (on behalf of a Class Society, Ship Owner/Manager, or Charterer).
• Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering.
• 8+ years in design of tankships (or 5+ years if focused on gas carriers).
• 2+ years acting as the technical interface / point of contact with a shipyard during the design review phase of a shipbuilding contract for a gas carrier (or 5+ years for other tanker types).

Related experience (any of the following) will be considered favorably:

• Newbuilding site supervision
• Negotiation of shipbuilding contracts
• Repair/upgrade of gas carriers on behalf of owner/manager or shipyard
• Proven plan approval / approval coordination experience in marine or new shipbuilding.
• Gas carrier plan approval experience preferred.

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Former 2nd Engineer or Chief Engineer with demonstrable plan approval responsibilities.
• Strong working knowledge of class rules, IMO/IGC Code, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Confident communicator with shipyards, makers, and classification societies; able to challenge and resolve design issues constructively.