Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yacht Program Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Yacht Program Technician is a hands-on marine technician responsible for the preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and technical coordination of one or multiple yachts within a managed program or fleet. This role requires deep practical knowledge of marine diesel propulsion, AC/DC electrical systems, generators, hydraulics, HVAC and refrigeration, plumbing, composite and metal fabrication, and marine electronics. The Yacht Program Technician ensures operational readiness, compliance with flag state and class regulations, timely refits and repairs, accurate documentation, and lifecycle maintenance planning to maximize vessel availability and minimize downtime.

This role is ideal for technicians who combine broad technical capability with program-level thinking: creating and executing Planned Maintenance System (PMS) tasks, coordinating yards and vendors for refits/drydock, performing sea trials and test protocols, and coaching onboard crew in preventive and corrective maintenance best practices.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Yacht Technician / Marine Mechanic (junior)
Ship's Engineer / 2nd Engineer on small commercial or private vessels
Marine Maintenance Technician from shipyard or refit facility

Advancement To:

Senior Yacht Program Technician / Lead Technician
Yacht Fleet Maintenance Manager / Technical Manager
Superintendent of Maintenance / Program Superintendent

Lateral Moves:

Refits & Projects Coordinator
Commissioning & Sea Trials Specialist
Marine Systems & Electronics Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and execute preventive maintenance programs across assigned yachts, writing and updating Planned Maintenance System (PMS) tasks, schedules, and procedures to ensure reliability of propulsion, auxiliary systems, and onboard systems.
Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair marine diesel engines (inboard, V-8, V-12, common rail), including injector replacement, fuel system calibration, cooling systems, and aftercare testing to meet manufacturer service standards.
Service, troubleshoot and repair gensets (AC and hybrid systems), including load bank testing, alternator controls, governor adjustments, and fuel system maintenance to ensure continuous hotel and propulsion power.
Perform complex AC and DC electrical system troubleshooting and repairs, including distribution panels, main switchboards, shore power systems, inverters, battery banks, chargers, and rectifiers; interpret wiring diagrams and single-line schematics.
Maintain and repair HVAC and refrigeration systems: diagnose compressors, compressor clutch issues, re-gas/refrigerant handling (EPA-certified practices where applicable), evaporator/condensing unit repairs, and system balancing.
Inspect, maintain and repair hydraulic systems: steering rams, stabilizer pumps, bow and stern thruster hydraulic units, hydraulic hoses and fittings, and hydraulic filtration and oil analysis.
Inspect and repair plumbing and domestic systems: freshwater systems, hot water heaters, pressurized systems, grey/blackwater treatment and pumps, seacocks, and strainers to preserve vessel habitability and environmental compliance.
Execute gelcoat, fiberglass and composite repairs: survey damage, remove delamination, perform structural composite repairs, vacuum bagging, fairing, and refinishing to preserve structural integrity and finish quality.
Fabricate and repair stainless steel components and fittings, including TIG welding, brazing, and precision metalwork for rails, supports, piping, and custom brackets to shipyard and cosmetic standards.
Troubleshoot and service navigation and communication electronics: NMEA 2000, chartplotters (Raymarine, Garmin, Simrad), autopilots, AIS, radar, satellite communications, and antenna systems in collaboration with electronics specialists.
Plan, coordinate and supervise refit, yard periods and drydock activities: scope creation, vendor selection, budgeting, timeline oversight, quality inspections, punch lists and acceptance testing.
Perform sea trials and commissioning activities: verify propulsion alignment, engine load tests, generator parallel testing, alarm/fail-safe verification, stabilization and hull performance validation.
Manage spare parts stocking, inventory control and procurement: maintain critical spares lists, re-order thresholds, vendor sourcing, and cost controls to reduce off-hire time.
Maintain accurate technical documentation, maintenance logs, service records, schematics, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and certificates required for flag, class and owner reporting.
Implement and audit safety, environmental and compliance programs: SOLAS/ISM familiarity, correct use of PPE, safe fuel handling, confined-space procedures, and onboard emergency response drills.
Conduct root-cause analysis on recurring faults and create corrective action plans, technical bulletins and work instructions to reduce repeat failures and improve reliability.
Coordinate third-party contractors, shore-side vendors and OEM service engineers for warranty repairs, warranty claims, and specialized services; manage quotes and ensure work meets specification and quality standards.
Support warranty and manufacturer relationship management, escalations, and claim preparation including capturing diagnostic data, photographs, and test logs.
Train and mentor onboard engineering crew and stewards on preventive maintenance routines, system operation, and troubleshooting basics to increase onboard capability and reduce external service calls.
Program and maintain digital maintenance systems (PMS) and software: update tasks, assign work orders, track labor hours, attach technical documents, and produce maintenance KPIs for the technical manager and owner.
Monitor and perform cathodic protection and corrosion control: anode replacement, zinc monitoring, coating inspection, and sacrificial protection strategy to maximize hull and underwater component life.
Manage fuel and lube oil testing programs, interpret test results, and plan corrective maintenance or filtration changes to protect engine life and warranty status.
Respond to technical emergencies and offsite support requests, coordinating rapid mobilization of parts, technicians, and logistics to minimize downtime and ensure safe operations.

Secondary Functions

Support long-term program development including lifecycle planning, CapEx forecasting, and the creation of standardized technical policies across fleet yachts.
Participate in shipyard tendering, bid evaluations and technical scoping to optimize cost, schedule and quality outcomes for refit projects.
Create and maintain equipment and systems asset registers with serial numbers, maintenance history and warranty information for accurate lifecycle tracking.
Carry out periodic technical audits of vessel condition and compliance, producing detailed deficiency reports with prioritized remediation plans for owners or program managers.
Assist with budget tracking and labor cost reporting for maintenance activities, identify cost-saving opportunities and vendor consolidation options.
Contribute to vendor performance reviews and develop preferred-supplier lists to ensure consistent quality and responsiveness across the program.
Provide input to technical specifications for new-builds, refits or kit purchases to ensure maintainability and compatibility with fleet standards.
Help the technical manager compile operational readiness packages for owner visits, charters, and regulatory surveys.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Marine diesel engine diagnostics and repair (Cummins, MTU, Caterpillar, MAN experience preferred)
Generator/genset troubleshooting, load-bank and parallel testing
AC and DC electrical systems troubleshooting, battery management, inverter/charger service
HVAC and marine refrigeration system repair, refrigerant handling knowledge
Hydraulic systems maintenance and repair (stabilizers, thrusters, steering)
Composite (fiberglass/epoxy) patching and structural repairs; gelcoat finishing
Stainless steel fabrication and TIG welding techniques for marine fittings
Marine plumbing, black/greywater systems, and seacock maintenance
Marine electronics familiarity (NMEA 2000, Raymarine, Simrad, Garmin, AIS, autopilot)
Planned Maintenance System (PMS) management and maintenance software (e.g., WinFleet, Yardbook, MyShip, AMOS)
Preventive maintenance planning, spare parts management and inventory control
Sea trial procedures, commissioning protocols and performance testing
Knowledge of flag state, class society inspection requirements and ISM regulations
Fuel & lube oil analysis interpretation and contamination control
Use of diagnostic tools: multimeters, oscilloscopes, endoscopes, thermal imaging cameras

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset and methodical root-cause analysis
Excellent verbal and written communication: clear reports, service records and technical briefs
Time management and multi-vessel prioritization under tight schedules
Team leadership and mentorship; ability to train onboard crew and junior technicians
Vendor management, negotiation and coordination skills
Attention to detail and commitment to quality finishes and system reliability
Adaptability and calm decision-making in emergency or off-schedule repairs
Customer-focused: professional owner/guest-facing demeanor and confidentiality
Strong documentation discipline for regulatory and warranty compliance
Proactive problem-solver with continuous improvement mindset

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with vocational training or apprenticeships in marine mechanics, diesel technology, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Marine Engineering, Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
Technical certifications in marine systems, refrigeration (EPA Section 608 where applicable), or electrical (IEC standard training).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Marine Engineering / Marine Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Electromechanical or Diesel Technology
HVAC/Refrigeration Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive experience in yacht or commercial vessel maintenance, with exposure to multiple onboard systems and refit projects.

Preferred:

5+ years working as a yacht engineer/technician or in a shipyard/refit environment on yachts 40m+ or multiple smaller yachts in a program.
Experience with PMS platforms, refit coordination, sea trials, and vendor management.
Certifications such as STCW Basic Safety (where applicable), manufacturer service certifications (Cummins/MTU/Cat), welding certification (TIG), and refrigeration handling certification are highly desirable.

Note: Salary, certifications and exact responsibilities may vary by owner requirements, vessel size and flag state. This document is intended as an SEO-optimized, recruiter-style job brief and checklist to attract qualified candidates for a Yacht Program Technician role.