Location: Panama | Employment: Full-time (40 hours/week)| Reports to: Technical Manager
We are looking for a proactive and dependable Service Engineer to join our team specialising in marine elevators on board seagoing vessels. This role is key to ensuring vessels and offshore facilities meet stringent international regulations and combines hands-on technical work with strong problem-solving and customer service skills.
A proactive and dependable Service Engineer is required to support inspection, service, maintenance, repair, and modernization of marine elevator systems on board seagoing vessels and offshore facilities. The role combines strong hands-on technical capability with practical field judgement, safe working practices, and professional customer interaction.
The position requires realistic understanding of field service conditions. Many jobs are physically demanding, time-sensitive, and dependent on vessel schedules, port access, equipment condition, manpower, and site constraints. Work must therefore be carried out safely, methodically, and to the required technical standard rather than being approached with unrealistic time pressure.
Responsible for field service, maintenance, repairs, and inspection of marine elevator systems.
Key Responsibilities
Perform annual, periodic, and technical inspections of marine elevators.
Carry out planned, preventive, corrective, and breakdown maintenance.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve mechanical, electrical, control, and PLC-related faults.
Execute repairs, adjustments, parts replacements, modernization works, and major repairs on elevator systems.
Perform heavy field jobs such as travelling cable replacement, wire rope renewal, suspension-related repairs, and associated testing and inspections where required.
Remove and install cables, route and secure them correctly, terminate and connect multiple cores accurately, and complete electrical and operational testing.
Support wire rope renewal activities, including inspection, adjustment, load test preparation, and post-repair verification in line with applicable requirements.
Read and interpret wiring diagrams, technical drawings, schematics, manuals, and service documentation.
Maintain clear and accurate service reports, inspection findings, parts usage records, risk observations, and customer communication notes.
Coordinate closely with Technical, Operations, Project Management, service partners, and vessel crew to support practical job planning and execution.
Identify technical and operational risks in advance and communicate realistic onsite duration, manpower needs, and job constraints based on the actual scope and vessel conditions.
Uphold company HSE requirements and stop work when conditions are unsafe or when access, tools, manpower, or planning assumptions are not suitable for safe execution.
Deliver professional support to customers and vessel crew while maintaining service quality and compliance.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Skills & Expertise
Strong hands-on experience with traction elevators; multi-brand experience preferred.
Experience with marine elevator service, repair, inspection, and fault-finding.
Experience with rack and pinion / Alimak elevators is highly desirable.
Experience with hydraulic elevators and escalators is an advantage.
Solid knowledge of elevator components, controllers, inverter drives, safety circuits, and suspension systems.
Good understanding of major repair activities such as travelling cable replacement and wire rope renewal.
Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings, electrical schematics, and wiring diagrams.
Advanced mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
Ability to complete physically demanding field work safely and accurately.
Good understanding of marine HSE expectations, permit controls, work-at-height practices, and risk awareness.
Practical judgement to balance urgency, job quality, and safe execution under vessel time constraints.
Professional and respectful approach when working with customers, contractors, vessel crew, and internal teams.
Requirements:
Diploma or degree in Engineering, preferably Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, or Mechanical.
Professional or vocational qualification in elevator engineering is an advantage.
Minimum 10 years of elevator industry experience covering service, troubleshooting, repairs, and inspection.
Good command of English, both written and spoken; additional regional languages are an advantage.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Willingness to travel extensively for domestic and international vessel attendance.
Flexibility to work non-standard hours based on vessel schedules and port operations.
Medically fit for vessel attendance, offshore assignments, and physically demanding work.
Fit to work at height, in confined machinery spaces, and in challenging port and onboard environments.
Valid passport and ability to travel at short notice.
High proficiency with Google Workspace and modern productivity tools.
Valid Light Motor Vehicle driving license
Legally entitled to work in the Panama (Panamanian nationals or valid work/residence permit)
Personal Qualities
Reliable, disciplined, and self-motivated.
Practical, safety-conscious, and quality-focused.
Able to work under pressure without compromising safety or workmanship.
Detail-oriented and methodical in execution.
Calm and professional in front of customers and vessel crew.
Honest in reporting job conditions, limitations, risks, and actual time requirements.
Adaptable and willing to learn new technologies, equipment types, and service methods.
What We Offer
Remuneration and benefits package structured to align with current marine industry benchmarks.
Opportunity to work within a professional, team-oriented, and technically supportive culture.
Direct engagement with highly technical offshore and maritime elevator maintenance sectors.