This role is hybrid, based in Weybridge, UK.
Journey with us!
Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our dynamic Global Marine Technology Team. Royal Caribbean Group is pleased to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.
About Us
Royal Caribbean Group is the world’s largest cruise line. It couldn’t be a more exciting time to join a global business that is blazing a trail in the travel industry right now.
At Royal Caribbean Group we never rest on our laurels; we constantly strive to improve our work and be at the forefront of the industry. The work that we do is exciting, challenging, and innovative. We are passionate, we are innovative, and we are unstoppable.
The Role
The Director, Electrical Systems provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for all fleet electrical, electronic, and automation systems. The position ensures safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant system operation across the global fleet. It serves as the organization’s principal authority on electrical engineering, lifecycle planning, and modernization strategy. The position is responsible for directing, managing and overseeing continuous technical support for the assigned RCG vessels and the electrical systems team reporting directly to this position. A Manager, Electrical Systems will serve as deputy for this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic & Technical Leadership
1. Establishes fleetwide standards, specifications, and technical direction for electrical, electronic, and automation systems.
2. Leads long‑range planning, modernization, and obsolescence management initiatives.
3. Aligns electrical strategy with safety, environmental, operational, and sustainability objectives.
Fleet Operations & Reliability
4. Oversees day‑to‑day performance, troubleshooting, and reliability efforts for all shipboard electrical systems.
5. Guides Superintendents and Chief Electrical Engineers in maintenance planning and system optimization.
6. Leads root‑cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.
Newbuilds, Refurbishments & Dry Docks
7. Provides input on electrical engineering scope for newbuilds and leads refits, dry docks, and capital projects.
8. Oversees design reviews for upcoming dry docking for electrical system upgrades/replacements, equipment selection, and commissioning processes.
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
9. Supports energy‑efficient electrical solutions, automation modernization, and data‑driven performance monitoring.
10. Collaborates on decarbonization and lifecycle optimization initiatives.
Compliance & Safety
11. Ensure compliance with maritime regulations and standards (SOLAS, Class, Flag, IMO, CDC/VSP).
12. Maintain alignment with the company’s Safety Management System (QMS).
13. Support inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews across the fleet.
Project & Vendor Management
14. Oversees OEM, shipyard, and vendor relationships for electrical, electronic, and automation systems.
15. Manage technical deliverables across capital projects.
16. Supports procurement, negotiations, warranties, and long‑term service agreements.
People Leadership
17. Leads and develops a global team of electrical specialists and Superintendents.
18. Manages recruitment, training, and succession planning for Electrical Engineers.
19. Promotes safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Financial Management
20. Oversees budgets for shipboard and fleetwide electrical, electronic, and automation systems.
21. Manages capital projects ranging from $100K to $7M and fleet portfolios of ~$50M.
22. Identifies cost‑efficient strategies and lifecycle optimization opportunities.
Qualifications / Skills
Education
23. Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution or international equivalent.
24. Complementary business education or experience is preferred.
25. Professional certifications (e.g., national engineering license, marine technical accreditation) are considered an advantage.
Required Experience
26. 15+ years of experience in electrical, electronic, automation, or power engineering within the maritime industry, classification society, or equivalent technical field.
27. Experience working directly in shipping, cruise, offshore, or comparable marine environments.
28. Shipboard experience preferred, with strong familiarity in vessel electrical systems and operational requirements.
29. Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale technical teams, manage complex projects, and oversee high‑value capital programs.
30. Proven involvement in newbuilds, dry docks, modernization projects, and major refits.
31. Strong background in regulatory compliance, vendor management, classification society coordination, and technical investigations.
32. Experience managing budgets and applying lifecycle cost analysis to technical assets.
Work Environment
33. Office‑based with frequent shipboard, dry‑dock, and shipyard visits.
34. Requires ability to inspect technical spaces, climb ladders, and enter confined areas.
35. Frequent domestic and international travel.