Boat Maintenance Technician – Outboard Engines

Location
Virginia Beach
Workplace
On-site
Compensation
$10k – $13k

About this role

Description

 

Boat Maintenance Technician / Maritime Systems Technician

Outboard Engines | Field Maintenance | OCONUS Support

Location: Latin America (OCONUS)
Employment Type: Short-Term / Temporary with Potential for Long-Term Employment

Compensation: $10,000–$13,000 per month, based on experience and qualifications, plus per diem
Travel: Frequent OCONUS travel required; must be available to deploy on short notice
Clearance: Active DoD Secret Clearance Required

About This Opportunity

Anchor Innovation is seeking an experienced Boat Maintenance Technician / Maritime Systems Technician to support small-craft maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operational readiness requirements in Latin America and other OCONUS locations as required.

This is a hands-on field position for an experienced marine technician who can independently assess vessel problems, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems, complete repairs, and return equipment to an operationally ready condition.

The primary focus is outboard-powered small craft, with a strong preference for technicians experienced with Mercury Marine outboards and associated diagnostic systems.

This position initially supports a short-term operational requirement. Strong performers may be considered for longer-term employment based on future workload, contract requirements, and company needs.

What You'll Do

Vessel Maintenance & Repair

  • Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on small boats and associated marine equipment. 
  • Inspect, service, troubleshoot, repair, and replace outboard engines and supporting systems. 
  • Perform scheduled and periodic engine maintenance in accordance with OEM requirements. 
  • Perform oil and filter changes, fuel-system servicing, cooling-system maintenance, spark plug replacement, lower-unit servicing, impeller replacement, anode replacement, and other routine maintenance. 
  • Troubleshoot fuel, cooling, lubrication, steering, control, starting, charging, and auxiliary systems. 
  • Diagnose engine performance issues and determine appropriate corrective actions. 
  • Conduct pre-operational, post-operational, and periodic vessel inspections. 
  • Identify deficiencies affecting safety, reliability, or operational readiness. 
  • Perform operational checks and testing following maintenance or repair. 
  • Support vessel preservation, corrosion prevention, hardware replacement, and general small-craft maintenance as required. 

Marine Electrical & Technical Systems

  • Troubleshoot 12V/24V marine electrical systems. 
  • Diagnose battery, charging, starting, wiring, connection, breaker, relay, switch, gauge, and control-system issues. 
  • Use multimeters, OEM diagnostic equipment, and other troubleshooting tools to isolate faults. 
  • Read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, service procedures, and OEM documentation. 
  • Troubleshoot electrical and electronic issues affecting engines and installed vessel equipment. 
  • Support cable routing, connectors, equipment mounting, and minor equipment installation as required. 
  • Conduct system checks following maintenance, repair, or equipment replacement. 

Field & Operational Support

  • Provide responsive maintenance support at deployed and remote operating locations. 
  • Respond to vessel casualties and readiness issues with limited advance notice. 
  • Apply systematic troubleshooting methods to identify and isolate root causes. 
  • Determine whether repairs can be completed in the field or require additional OEM/vendor support. 
  • Coordinate technical issues with customer personnel, operators, engineers, vendors, and other support personnel. 
  • Support maintenance during operational events and mission requirements. 
  • Assist with vessel launch, recovery, movement, staging, fueling, and preparation when required. 
  • Work independently with limited supervision in field and waterfront environments. 
  • Adapt to changing operational requirements, schedules, and priorities. 

Maintenance Management & Sustainment

  • Maintain accurate maintenance records, service histories, inspection results, and equipment status. 
  • Document discrepancies, troubleshooting actions, repairs, parts usage, and final resolution. 
  • Identify required replacement parts, consumables, tools, and maintenance materials. 
  • Assist with parts research, sourcing, and identification of appropriate OEM components. 
  • Maintain accountability and serviceability of assigned tools and diagnostic equipment. 
  • Monitor upcoming scheduled maintenance requirements and service intervals. 
  • Identify recurring equipment failures and provide feedback to improve reliability and sustainment. 
  • Maintain safe, organized, and serviceable work areas in deployed and field environments. 

Backgrounds That May Be a Good Fit

We are looking for experienced marine technicians and mechanics first.

Relevant backgrounds may include:

  • Marine mechanic 
  • Small boat mechanic 
  • Outboard engine technician 
  • Marine service technician 
  • Marine electrician 
  • Field Service Technician / Field Service Representative 
  • Navy Engineman (EN) 
  • Coast Guard Machinery Technician (MK) 
  • Marine Corps or Navy expeditionary maintenance 
  • Military small-craft maintenance 
  • Law-enforcement or public-safety vessel maintenance 
  • Commercial marine service 
  • OEM marine engine service 
  • RHIB/RIB maintenance 
  • Expeditionary or deployed maintenance support 

Equivalent commercial maritime experience is encouraged.

What Matters Most

We are looking for someone who is comfortable turning wrenches, using diagnostic equipment, reading technical documentation, and figuring out why a boat is not operating correctly.

The strongest candidate will be able to take ownership of a maintenance problem from:

inspection ? troubleshooting ? diagnosis ? repair ? testing ? documentation ? return to service

This position requires more than routine servicing. We need someone capable of working through unfamiliar problems, operating independently, and developing practical solutions in environments where immediate OEM or shop support may not be available.

The ability to work professionally with customers and operational personnel while deployed is equally important.

Requirements

 

Required Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizen. 
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance. 
  • Current U.S. Passport and ability to travel internationally. 
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience maintaining and repairing outboard-powered small craft. 
  • Strong working knowledge of marine outboard engine mechanical systems. 
  • Working knowledge of marine electrical systems and electrical troubleshooting. 
  • Experience performing preventive and corrective maintenance. 
  • Ability to independently troubleshoot and diagnose marine engine casualties. 
  • Ability to use common mechanic's tools, multimeters, diagnostic equipment, and shop equipment. 
  • Ability to read and apply technical manuals, service procedures, wiring diagrams, and schematics. 
  • Ability to accurately document maintenance and troubleshooting actions. 
  • Valid driver's license. 
  • Ability to work in marine, waterfront, outdoor, remote, and field environments. 
  • Ability to safely lift, move, and handle tools, parts, equipment, and supplies associated with marine maintenance. 
  • Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision. 
  • Ability and willingness to travel OCONUS with limited advance notice. 
  • Ability to remain at temporary duty locations for the duration of assigned operational requirements. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Mercury outboard engine maintenance and repair experience. 
  • Mercury Marine technical training or certifications. 
  • Experience with Mercury diagnostic software and electronic engine-management systems. 
  • Experience maintaining Mercury SeaPro, Verado, or similar commercial-duty outboards. 
  • Experience with Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, or other commercial marine outboards. 
  • Experience troubleshooting 12V/24V marine electrical systems. 
  • Experience with marine steering, fuel, cooling, charging, and control systems. 
  • Experience maintaining RHIBs/RIBs or similar tactical and work boats. 
  • Experience maintaining military, government, law-enforcement, or other high-use small craft. 
  • Experience performing scheduled engine maintenance and major service intervals. 
  • Experience maintaining vessels in deployed, expeditionary, or remote environments. 
  • Field Service Representative or customer-facing technical support experience. 
  • Prior U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or other military maritime experience. 
  • Experience supporting launch, recovery, trailering, and waterfront operations. 
  • Experience with maintenance tracking, parts inventories, and technical documentation. 
  • Spanish-speaking or bilingual English/Spanish capability strongly preferred. 

Travel & OCONUS Requirements

This position requires a high degree of travel flexibility.

The primary operating area will be Latin America, with support at other OCONUS locations possible based on mission requirements.

Candidates must be willing and able to:

  • Deploy internationally with limited advance notice. 
  • Travel for extended periods based on operational requirements. 
  • Operate in remote or austere locations. 
  • Adjust travel and work schedules based on customer requirements. 
  • Maintain a current U.S. Passport throughout employment. 
  • Maintain an active DoD Secret clearance throughout employment. 
  • Comply with applicable host-nation, U.S. Government, customer, security, and travel requirements. 

Assignments may range from short-duration technical support to extended periods at an operational location.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on deployed maritime maintenance position, not a traditional office job.

Work may occur at piers, marinas, maintenance facilities, boat ramps, military or government facilities, temporary operating locations, and other field environments throughout Latin America.

Candidates should expect varying weather, operational schedules, limited access to traditional shop support, and changing maintenance priorities.

Successful technicians must be comfortable arriving at an unfamiliar location, assessing vessel condition, identifying the problem, determining what parts and tools are required, completing or coordinating the repair, and communicating equipment status back to the customer and Anchor leadership.

Employment Duration

This position is initially being filled to support an immediate short-term OCONUS operational requirement.

The initial employment period will be temporary/short-term. However, successful performance may lead to consideration for long-term employment with Anchor Innovation supporting maritime maintenance, Fleet support, field service, training, sustainment, or other operational requirements.

Continued employment will depend on performance, customer requirements, contract availability, and company workload.

Why Join Anchor?

Anchor Innovation supports U.S. Government, military, and commercial customers across maritime operations, maintenance, training, sustainment, and emerging maritime technologies.

This position provides an opportunity to apply strong traditional marine-maintenance skills directly in an operational environment, working alongside customer personnel and other maritime professionals to maintain vessel readiness and support real-world mission requirements.

Qualified candidates with active Secret clearances, current passports, strong outboard maintenance experience, and immediate OCONUS availability are encouraged to apply.

Tired of cold applications?

Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.

Know someone who'd be great for this?