---
title: 'Licensed Chief Engineer - Fishing Vessel at Glacier Fish'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/licensed-chief-engineer-fishing-vessel-glacier-fish-washington-mqg5bjqwtjex'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Licensed Chief Engineer - Fishing Vessel at Glacier Fish

- **Company:** Glacier Fish
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Compensation:** $190k–$250k
- **Employment:** contract
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-01-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/glacierfish/decfbbc2-97df-4a13-b977-7542d6ea45c6

## Job description

North Star Fishing Company is dedicated to producing the highest quality frozen-at-sea groundfish products in the world. We accomplish our mission with a day-in-and-day-out commitment to quality, safety, consistent attention to detail and an on-going concern for the stability and health of the North Pacific fishery resource.

We are one of the largest producers of frozen at sea flatfish, cod, pollock and other groundfish, and distributes seafood throughout the world. We manage three trawl catcher-processor vessels that operate in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and the Gulf of Alaska. Come join us with one of the many exciting job opportunities available!

## Requirements

- Must hold an appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Chief Engineer license of an uninspected fishing vessel: 3000 HP on the Unimak and 6600 HP on the North Star.
- 1 year experience as a Chief Engineer preferred
- Work 12 hrs/day for 7 days/week in all weather conditions
- Repetitively lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- Self-motivated team-player
- Understand instructions and safety rules in English
- Must be able to provide 2 recent positive references from previous employers
- Capable of climbing and descending steep stairs and vertical ladders
- Share spaces with others including crew quarters, dining areas, and bathrooms

Job Duties and Responsibilities •Responsible for supervising and coordinating the activity of the engineering staff engaged in operating and maintaining propulsion engines, boilers, hydraulic and pneumatic deck machinery, fuel and lubrication systems, electrical, refrigeration, and sewage equipment, water making, heating and ventilation, radar and navigational systems, aboard the ship.

•Effectively coordinates with all vessel department heads to ensure safe, efficient operation of the vessel both at sea and in port.

•Ensures compliance with applicable sections of the Safety Management System. Is knowledgeable and conversant on applicable policies and procedures contained in the SMS

•Conducts Weekly safety inspections with vessel on board leadership team.

•Conducts job observations and written performance reviews on assigned crewmembers to ensure standardized training requirements are met; provides recommendations and feedback on performance.

•Ensures compliance with all USCG manning, watch standing and operating regulations for the engine room.

•Maintains the vessel as per Class Society and regulatory requirements, ready for DNV and USCG inspections.

•Ensures compliance with applicable environmental regulations including but not limited to EPA, Ballast Water, Oil Transfer procedures and Pollution Prevention Program.

•Coordinates any system modifications, upgrades or replacements with Port Engineer.

•Manages preventive maintenance programs on all main systems engineering systems according to manufacturers recommended schedule unless altered by Port engineer

•Inspects engines and other equipment and orders crew to repair or replace defective parts.

•Stands engine room watch during specified periods.

•Coordinates schedule of entire engineering staff and ensures adequate coverage year round. Rotations and schedules are clearly communicated to HR and Port Engineer, updated as changes occur.

•Repairs machinery using hand tools and power tools.

•Responsible for accuracy of various required engineering logs. (i.e. fuel, discharge, chlorine)

•Maintains accurate inventory of parts and places all orders for spares, replacements through appropriate procedures.

•Ensures engineering crew and others using tools show respect for equipment and return to correct place in good order.

•Responsible for the safe handling of all petroleum products and gases used on board the vessel.

•Initiates or delegates the engineering response to unsafe or potentially hazardous work areas/conditions

•Assists in the professional development of subordinate engineers by providing or recommending additional training, performance counseling and evaluations.

•Ensures minimum 6-12 hour overlap with rotating Chief, providing written turnover log to ensure clear and open communications.

## Benefits

- Company travel policy agreement: successful completion of scheduled trips grants eligibility for airfare expenses between vessel and hometown to be paid by the company
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Compensation has daily guarantee

Training Required

- OSHA Safety Compliance
- Lock Out/Tag Out
- Hazwoper
- Shipyard Competent
- EPA Section 608
- Ammonia Operator 1

North Star Fishing Company are Equal Opportunity Employers - Minority / Women / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation / Age.

By signing below you are affirming that the statements that you make in this application, plus any additional written and oral information you provide us about yourself (such as an interview) are true, and that you have not omitted anything about yourself that might be important to us in deciding whether to hire you. You understand that any false statement or material omission is sufficient grounds for us to reject this application, or to terminate your employment without further consideration.

I AUTHORIZE INVESTIGATION OF ALL STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN AND THE REFERENCES LISTED ABOVE TO GIVE YOU ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND ANY PERTINENT INFORMATION THEY MAY HAVE, PERSONAL OR OTHERWISE, AND RELEASE ALL PARTIES FROM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM FURNISHING SAME TO YOU.

In addition, you understand that any offer of employment will be contingent upon our verifying your employment eligibility as required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT, IF HIRED, MY EMPLOYMENT IS FOR NO DEFINITE PERIOD AND MAY, REGARDLESS OF THE DATE OF PAYMENT OF MY WAGES AND SALARY, BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE.

## About Glacier Fish

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Glacier Fish Company is a privately held, family-founded seafood company specializing in the harvest and processing of frozen-at-sea groundfish, operating a fleet of catcher-processor vessels in the Bering Sea and off the U.S. Pacific coast.
- **Entity Type**: Private (founded 1982; not publicly traded)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA
- **Founded**: 1982
- **Founders**: Erik Breivik (along with several other fishing families)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Fisheries – commercial fishing and onboard processing of groundfish (Alaska Pollock, Pacific Cod, Pacific Whiting/Hake).
- **Target customers**: B2B – global seafood distributors, quick-service restaurant chains, frozen food manufacturers, and retail packaged goods companies.
- **Mission**: “Dedicated to producing the highest quality frozen-at-sea groundfish products in the world” – with a commitment to sustainability and the health of the North Pacific fishery resource.

## Products & Services
- **Frozen-at-Sea Fillets & Blocks**: High-quality fillet blocks, shatter pack fillets, IQF fillets, and mince used in fish sticks, sandwiches, and other value-added products.
- **Surimi**: Processed fish protein used in imitation crab and other seafood analogs.
- **Head & Gut (H&G) Products**: Whole fish headed and gutted for further processing onshore.
- **Fishmeal & Fish Oil**: Produced from processing waste, supplying animal feed and omega-3 oil markets.
- **Vessel Management**: Full management of four additional vessels under North Star Fishing Company (Arica, Cape Horn, Rebecca Irene, Unimak).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Private company; annual revenue not disclosed. Total funding rounds not applicable. Employee count (HQ) approx. 29 (LinkedIn, +10% YoY).
- **Notable Investors / Partners**:
  - Nippon Suisan USA, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Suisan Kaisha, one of the world’s largest marine products companies) – minority partner.
  - Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) – 50% partner since 1998, representing 15 Alaska Native communities.
- **Growth Signals**: Acquired competitor Alaska Ocean Seafood in 2008, doubling quota holdings and adding the flagship vessel Alaska Ocean. Upgraded fishmeal production plant to process 40 metric tons fishmeal + 8,000 gallons fish oil per day. Long-standing, uninterrupted harvesting relationship with NSEDC. Many crew members have 20+ years tenure.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical Integration**: Full control from catch to frozen-at-sea processing, ensuring product quality and supply chain reliability.
- **Quota Ownership**: Holds substantial fishing quota shares in the rationalized Alaska Pollock fishery, providing a stable, long-term resource base.
- **Large, Modern Fleet**: The Alaska Ocean is one of the world’s largest catcher-processors, capable of freezing over 220 metric tons per day. Both vessels are equipped with Starlink internet for crew connectivity.
- **Strategic Partnerships**: Deep relationships with NSEDC (community development) and Nippon Suisan (global distribution and capital) create a strong competitive moat.
- **Sustainability & Legacy**: 30+ years of sustainable fishing practices, with the Alaska Ocean featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels.

## Strategic Focus
- Continue to operate and optimize the current fleet of catcher-processors, maintaining high-quality frozen-at-sea production.
- Strengthen partnerships with NSEDC and Nippon Suisan while exploring further long-term cooperative agreements.
- Sustain and improve environmental stewardship, including full utilization of fish waste for fishmeal and fish oil.
- Develop next-generation leadership (CEO Michael Breivik, son of founder) to carry forward the company’s core operating principles.

## Why Work Here
- **Work Environment**: Onboard a factory trawler in the Bering Sea – physically demanding, wet, cold, with 16-hour shifts, 7 days a week for 2–4 months at a time. Crew-share pay (percentage of the vessel’s catch) provides strong earning potential linked to performance.
- **Benefits**: Health, vision, and dental insurance for crew and family; 401(k) with company match; employee assistance program; company-provided training; room and meals onboard; Starlink Wi-Fi/email access.
- **Career Progression**: Opportunity to start in entry-level roles (deck, factory, galley) and advance to higher-paying positions (engineer, officer, cook). Many crew members stay for 20+ years.
- **Culture**: Emphasis on teamwork, safety, and self-discipline. Zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Equal opportunity employer. The company values its diverse and talented crew as its greatest asset.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Not applicable – all crew positions are at sea. HQ roles in Seattle are likely office-based.
- **Vessel Departments**: Wheelhouse (Captain, Mates, Purser), Engineering (Chief, Assistant, Oilers), Deck (Deckhands), Galley (Steward, Cook, Housekeeper), Factory (Processing staff).

## Sources
1. [glacierfish.com/about](http://www.glacierfish.com/about/)
2. [glacierfish.com/employment](http://www.glacierfish.com/employment/)
3. [linkedin.com/company/glacierfishcompany](https://www.linkedin.com/company/glacierfishcompany)
4. [jobs.lever.co/glacierfish](https://jobs.lever.co/glacierfish)
5. [glacierfishcareers.multiscreensite.com](https://glacierfishcareers.multiscreensite.com/)

## Other roles at Glacier Fish

- [Licensed Mate - Fishing Vessel UNIMAK](https://feeny.ai/job/licensed-mate-fishing-vessel-unimak-glacier-fish-seattle-5ydjc861m21w) — Seattle, WA
- [Captain - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/captain-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-washington-nnnz3hvv26w8) — Washington, DC
- [Licensed Mate - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/licensed-mate-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-washington-5ghsrtpwndjm) — Washington, DC
- [Second Assist Engineer on Commercial Fishing Vessel - F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/second-assist-engineer-on-commercial-fishing-vessel-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-9e51zzexqh19) — Washington, DC
- [At Sea Processor - F/T North Star - Alaska](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-f-t-north-star-alaska-glacier-fish-alaska-0g66628975bz) — Alaska
- [At-Sea Processor on the F/T UNIMAK - IN ALASKA](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-on-the-f-t-unimak-in-alaska-glacier-fish-alaska-hrdgz21zddj7) — Alaska
- [Processor for At-Sea work on F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/processor-for-at-sea-work-on-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-fish-alaska-7h5nx1syh8rc) — Alaska
- [At-Sea Processor - F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-fish-washington-akm4wrxyrdzf) — Washington, DC
- [At-Sea Fish Processor - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-fish-processor-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-united-states-cndrh0wjj255) — United States
- [Fishmeal Trainee - F/T North Star](https://feeny.ai/job/fishmeal-trainee-f-t-north-star-glacier-fish-washington-0rs8a65nz59e) — Washington, DC