The posting
Newbuilding Site Superintendent
Tugboat building assignments internationally
Do you have some experience with shipbuilding and enjoy contributing to complex newbuilding projects in an international environment? Do you thrive at the intersection of engineering, quality, stakeholder management and hands-on project execution? And would you like to see the vessels you help build go on to support critical port operations around the world?
At Svitzer, we keep global trade moving by delivering safe and reliable towage and marine services around the world. We are now looking for a Newbuilding Site Superintendent to join our Projects & Engineering Support team and support the delivery of the next generation of tugboats to our global operations. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to further develop a career within vessel newbuilding. Working alongside experienced Site Managers, you will gain hands-on exposure to all phases of the newbuilding process, from construction and inspections through to testing, commissioning and vessel delivery.
The role is anchored in Copenhagen, but your workplace will primarily be at international shipyards where our new vessels are being constructed. Assignments may take place in different parts of the world and typically range from several months to up to three years. As projects progress, you can expect to move from one shipyard assignment to the next. This role is therefore best suited to someone who thrives in an international and mobile working environment.
About us
Svitzer is a leading global towage operator with 4,500 colleagues and a fleet of 510 vessels operating across more than 35 countries. Every day, we help keep ports open, terminals operating and global trade moving through safe, reliable and increasingly sustainable marine services.
If you would like to see our tugboats in action and learn more about the vessels you will help deliver, watch this short video: Svitzer Introduces TRAnsverse Tug.
We offer
Joining Svitzer means becoming part of a global organisation where collaboration, trust and accountability are valued as highly as technical expertise.
In this role, you will work alongside experienced maritime professionals and gain hands-on experience across all aspects of vessel newbuilding. From inspections and quality follow-up to testing, commissioning and delivery, you will play an important role in projects that directly support Svitzer's future fleet.
The role offers a unique combination of technical depth, international exposure and professional development. Over time, you will build the experience, knowledge and network needed to take on increasing responsibility within vessel newbuilding projects.
More about the role
Reporting to Esben Grundtvig, Head of Projects & Engineering Support, you will become part of a collaborative and internationally diverse team responsible for delivering new vessels to Svitzer's operations worldwide.
The team combines strong technical expertise with a pragmatic and supportive approach. We share knowledge openly, help one another succeed and work together to solve complex challenges across projects, regions and cultures.
You will work closely with experienced Site Managers and support the day-to-day coordination and follow-up of newbuilding activities at the shipyard. Through hands-on involvement and mentorship, you will gain broad exposure to vessel construction and project execution while developing the capabilities needed to take on greater responsibility over time.
As described, our Site Managers and Superintendents typically move from one assignment to the next as projects progress. At the same time, you will be employed on standard onshore terms and remain part of the broader Svitzer organisation throughout your assignments.
Key responsibilities
As Newbuilding Site Superintendent, you will:
- Support the Site Manager in the day-to-day supervision and coordination of newbuilding activities at the shipyard.
- Follow construction progress and contribute to ensuring vessels are delivered safely, on time and in accordance with specifications and quality requirements.
- Assist with inspections, testing, commissioning activities and factory acceptance tests.
- Support communication and coordination with shipyards, suppliers, classification societies and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to project reporting, documentation and technical follow-up activities.
- Assist in reviewing drawings, plans and technical documentation.
- Support vessel delivery activities in collaboration with the Site Manager and regional colleagues.
- Maintain project records and assist with preparation of operation manuals and handover documentation.
- Participate in shipyard, supplier and subcontractor inspections when required.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of newbuilding specifications, processes, manuals and reporting.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a technically minded and collaborative maritime professional who is eager to learn, enjoys taking ownership and wants to build a career within vessel newbuilding.
Whether your background is in marine engineering, shipbuilding, naval architecture, vessel construction or a related technical field, you combine a solid technical foundation with a practical and hands-on approach.
More specifically, we are looking for someone who:
- Speaks, reads and writes English fluently (this is a must).
- Holds a relevant technical qualification within marine engineering, shipbuilding, naval architecture or a related discipline.
- Has some experience within shipbuilding, vessel construction, vessel operations or newbuilding projects.
- Has experience from a shipyard, classification society, vessel owner or a similar maritime environment.
- Has experience with the construction or operation of tugboats or other specialised vessels, which would be an advantage.
- Has knowledge of marine electrical systems and installations, which is considered highly desirable.
In addition, you:
- Are curious and motivated to learn.
- Take ownership and maintain focus when working with technical and operational matters.
- Work proactively and are committed to meeting deadlines and project expectations.
- Build constructive relationships with a variety of technical and commercial stakeholders.
- Communicate clearly and work effectively across cultures and professional disciplines.
- Combine independent judgement with a cooperative, team-oriented approach.
- Have strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Are comfortable travelling and undertaking international assignments at shipyards, including locations away from your home country.
How to apply
To ensure a consistent and fair recruitment process, please submit your application via the “Apply” button on our Careers page. Applications submitted outside the system cannot be considered.
Deadline
The application deadline is 31 October 2026. We review applications on an ongoing basis and may close the advertisement earlier if we receive a strong field of qualified candidates.
Questions
For questions related to the role, please contact Esben Grundtvig, Head of Projects & Engineering Support, by email: [email protected].
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.
