Bracewell Marine is one of the leading marine service shipyards in British Columbia. We repair, repower, refit, and build custom commercial and government boats throughout Western Canada. Operating in the Shelter Island Marina in Richmond, BC, we are part of the extensive BC marine industry supporting the 4th largest port in North America and the logging, fishing, tourism, government, commercial marine, and pleasure craft markets.
We are looking for an experienced Manager of New Boat Construction to join our diverse and skilled marine team. This role will lead the execution and delivery of custom boat construction projects ranging from 10 to 25 meter small craft to larger commercial and government boats from approximately 100 to 1,000 tonnes. Projects may include workboats, tugboats, fishboats, patrol boats, research boats, government boats, and other specialized marine craft for commercial clients and public sector organizations such as the Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP, and Navy.
Reporting to the Director of New Boat Construction, this position assumes responsibility of the projects subsequent to contract award and completion of preliminary design. The Director and Naval Architecture team are responsible for business development, client engagement, vessel design, and design engineering. The Manager of New Boat Construction is responsible for building the boat: converting approved designs into completed boats through detailed planning, production engineering, procurement, fabrication, safety, quality control, commissioning, sea trials, and delivery.
The successful candidate may come from a boatbuilding, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, or Marine Engineering background. They do not need to be a Naval Architect, but they must have demonstrated experience overseeing the construction of complete boats and possess strong practical knowledge of boatbuilding, production engineering, welding, propulsion, marine electrical systems, contract management, safety, quality control, and Transport Canada regulatory requirements.
Construction activities are primarily performed at Bracewell Marine's Richmond facility, with selected fabrication and manufacturing activities completed through approved overseas partners. Approximately 80% of construction activities are expected to be performed in Richmond, with approximately 20% performed overseas.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the execution of new boat construction projects from contract award through final delivery
- Manage new boat construction projects ranging from 10 to 25 meter small craft to larger commercial and government boats from approximately 100 to 1,000 tonnes
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, production plans, procurement plans, welding schedules, fabrication schedules, assembly schedules, and resource plans
- Coordinate activities between engineering, procurement, production, quality assurance, subcontractors, suppliers, classification societies, regulatory authorities, and clients
- Oversee construction activities performed at Bracewell Marine facilities and approved overseas fabrication partners
- Perform production engineering activities including Rhino 3D modeling, plate lofting, fabrication detailing, nesting, and issuance of production drawing packages to production
- Review engineering drawings and specifications, and translate design intent into executable production plans
- Coordinate procurement of long-lead materials, equipment, propulsion systems, marine electronics, navigation systems, and major boat components
- Manage all contractual obligations after project award, including deliverables, milestones, subcontract agreements, change orders, risk management, progress reporting, and client communications
- Establish project-specific ITPs (Inspection and Test Plans), quality control procedures, hold points, witness points, and acceptance criteria
- Lead execution of ITPs throughout fabrication, assembly, commissioning, dock trials, and sea trials
- Coordinate inspections with clients, Transport Canada, classification societies, regulatory authorities, subcontractors, and quality assurance personnel
- Monitor construction quality and workmanship to ensure compliance with contract requirements, engineering drawings, specifications, Transport Canada regulations, classification requirements, and applicable standards
- Manage non-conformance reports, corrective actions, inspection records, test records, and project quality documentation
- Ensure all work is planned and executed in accordance with Bracewell Marine safety policies, WorkSafeBC requirements, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices
- Drive production efficiency through effective planning, resource utilization, workflow optimization, bottleneck reduction, and practical shop-floor leadership
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve lean manufacturing principles, production processes, work instructions, and shop-floor practices to improve productivity, quality, safety, and schedule performance
- Establish key production metrics and monitor performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement
- Work closely with production supervisors, foremen, trades personnel, and subcontractors to maximize throughput, quality, and labour efficiency
- Coordinate welding, machining, fabrication, assembly, mechanical installation, electrical installation, marine electronics installation, navigation system installation, commissioning, dock trials, sea trials, final client acceptance, and delivery
- Maintain project records, equipment manuals, warranties, as-built documentation, turnover packages, and construction records
Skills & Experience
- Required: Degree or diploma in Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent senior boatbuilding and vessel construction experience
- Required: Demonstrated experience overseeing the construction of complete commercial or government boats ranging from small craft to vessels up to 1,000 tonnes
- Required: Strong understanding of steel and aluminum boat construction methods
- Required: Proficiency with Rhino 3D including production engineering, plate lofting, fabrication detailing, nesting, and preparation of production drawing packages
- Required: Strong understanding of welding procedures, weld sequencing, weld schedules, fabrication workflows, distortion control, fit-up practices, machining, and marine manufacturing processes
- Required: Strong understanding of marine propulsion systems including propellers, nozzles, azimuth drives, waterjet propulsion systems, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems, and fully electric propulsion systems
- Required: Strong understanding of vessel machinery systems including main engines, generators, gearboxes, shafting, steering systems, hydraulic systems, and auxiliary equipment
- Required: Strong understanding of marine electrical systems, vessel controls, navigation electronics, communication systems, automation systems, and vessel integration requirements
- Required: Strong project management and contract management skills, including scope control, change order management, subcontract administration, progress reporting, and client communications
- Required: Experience managing schedules, budgets, subcontractors, suppliers, contractual deliverables, and project risks
- Required: Demonstrated experience establishing and executing ITPs (Inspection and Test Plans) for commercial or government vessel construction projects
- Required: Strong understanding of quality control processes, inspection procedures, non-conformance management, corrective actions, commissioning, and acceptance testing
- Required: Strong understanding of Transport Canada regulations, inspection requirements, vessel certification processes, and regulatory compliance for commercial and government vessel construction projects
- Required: Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and experience leading safety programs within marine construction, manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environments
- Required: Demonstrated experience implementing lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement initiatives, and production efficiency programs within fabrication, manufacturing, or boatbuilding environments
- Required: Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Required: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain Canadian Government security clearances required to support federal government vessel construction programs
- Asset: PMP certification or equivalent project management training
- Asset: SolidWorks, ShipConstructor, and/or AutoCAD experience
- Asset: Experience with Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP, Department of National Defense, BC Ferries, or other government vessel construction programs
- Asset: Experience working with overseas fabrication partners and international supply chains
- Asset: Familiarity with Lloyd's Register, ABS, DNV, BV, or other marine classification standards
Benefits & Other Details
- Full-time, permanent, available immediately, Monday to Friday, 8-hour daytime shifts
- Salary depends on experience and education, $100K minimum
- Equal opportunity hiring practices - We value diversity and are committed to a workplace culture that emphasizes respect, safety, and continuous improvement
- Benefits: Dental, Extended Health (including Vision), Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, AD&D, Paid Sick Days, Mental Health Support Program, RRSP/TFSA Plan, Safety Boots Reimbursement, Education Support, SkilledTradesBC Apprentice Sponsorship, Digital Marketplace Program, Purchasing Discounts
- 170 - 6831 Graybar Road, Richmond, BC
- www.bracewellmarine.com
To apply, please submit a resume and/or letter describing your qualifications to [email protected]
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement: Bracewell Marine Group is located on the ancestral and unceded territories of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, specifically: Cayuse, Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group, Kwantlen, scəwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), Semiahmoo, S'ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), sqəciyaɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Stz'uminus, šxʷməθkʷəyəmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), Umatilla, and Walla Walla. We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples of Canada as the original caretakers and stewards over the lands and waters. (Reference: Native-land.ca)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
