Engineer / Deck – 33m Performance Sailing Yacht – NZ - Tonga • Fiji • Vanuatu

$7,000 USD/month DOE + Full Benefits

An exciting opportunity for a highly capable Engineer / Deck to join a well-established private sailing yacht program.

The yacht is currently approximately 25% through a major refit in Auckland, with the program expected to recommission in February 2027 before heading into an extensive South Pacific cruising program.

Position Snapshot
• 33m Performance Sloop
• Full carbon construction / lifting keel / twin rudders
• Cayman Islands flagged
• Private yacht – no charter
• $7,000 USD/month DOE
• ASAP start – flexible
• 4 weeks paid annual leave after 1 year
• Return flight to home port or agreed destination
• All Found – food, accommodation, clothing & basic necessities provided
• Travel expenses to the yacht covered
• 3-month probationary period

The Program
The yacht is currently undertaking a significant refit in Auckland, including new teak decks and a 10-year rig survey.
Following recommissioning in approximately February 2027, the program will include a 5-week owner’s cruise around New Zealand before heading into the South Pacific for the 2027 season, including:
Tonga • Fiji • Vanuatu
The yacht is expected to remain in the South Pacific region for approximately three years, with regular returns to New Zealand for maintenance and further cruising throughout the Pacific.
Longer term, the program will return to the Caribbean during winter and the US Northeast during summer, including Maine.
The owners typically undertake two 4–5 week cruises per season, with a combination of family/friends aboard and private time for the owner.

Engineering Requirements
The successful candidate will ideally hold strong AEC or trade-level engineering qualifications, or equivalent:
• AEC / MEOL or higher
Or
• NZ MEC 4–5
Or
• Australian MED 1–2
Strong practical experience with a broad range of yacht systems is required, including:
• Cummins or similar main engine
• Kohler 32kW or similar generators
• Bow & stern thrusters
• Air conditioning & refrigeration
• Waste systems
• Hydraulics
• Variable-pitch propulsion
• 3-phase 380/480V electrical systems
• 220V single-phase
• 24V DC systems
• Electronics
• Safety systems
• AV systems
The candidate should have excellent diagnostic and fault-finding abilities across multiple systems, together with a strong understanding of preventative maintenance.
Good project organisation, administration and documentation skills are important, including accurate:
• Maintenance records
• Engineering logs
• Inventories
• System documentation
• Refit/project records
The yacht requires someone who is organised, tidy, methodical and proactive, both in their work and living environment.

Deck & Sailing
This is not a purely engineering position.
The successful candidate needs to be a strong all-round deckhand and sailor, with solid experience in:
• Line handling
• Docking
• General deck operations
• Sail handling
• Setting and furling sails
• Reefing
• Sail trim
• Sailing watches
• Passage operations
Ideally, the candidate will have Mate-level sailing ability and be capable of acting as a watch leader under sail, or at minimum standing a watch under supervision.
A good understanding of sailing yacht rigging and associated operating systems is also highly desirable.
The Engineer would not normally be designated as a watch leader during deliveries or passages, but must be capable of taking the role if required.

Crew Structure

The current full-time crew model is:
• Captain – strong engineering background
• Chef / Admin
• Deck / Stew
• Engineer / Deck
There is also a semi-permanent crew member who is a strong sailor, watch leader, rigger and general all-rounder, available for deliveries, yard periods and relief.
The owners have been working with this family program for approximately 10 years across three yachts and two generations of the family, providing a stable and established program.

Candidate Requirements

Preferred nationalities include:
Australian • New Zealand • UK • European • USA
Candidates must be able to travel to New Zealand, preferably under the Visa Waiver arrangements where applicable.
South African candidates will only be considered if they already hold an appropriate New Zealand Superyacht Visa.
The ideal candidate will combine strong engineering ability with genuine sailing experience, a practical hands-on approach and the ability to work effectively within a small, professional crew.

Start: ASAP – flexible

Salary: $7,000 USD/month DOE