2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs
2nd Assistant Engineer jobs are open across marine shipping, industrial facilities, and energy production, from entry-level licensed junior engineer to experienced watchkeeping officer, with specializations in propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, and environmental compliance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 240+ 2nd Assistant Engineer jobs
About us: At Plexus, our vision is to help create the products that build a better world. Driven by a passion for excellence, we partner with leading Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare/Life Sciences and Industrial companies to design, manufacture and service some of the world’s most transformative products, including advanced surgical systems, diagnostic instruments, healthcare imaging equipment, mission critical aerospace systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Visit Plexus.com to learn more about our unwavering commitment to our vision.
When we invest in our people, we invest in building a better world.
With a vision rooted in the wellbeing and inclusive engagement of our team members, our customers, their end users and our communities, people are the heart of what we do and who we are. It is our values that unite us and guide us in everything that we do, including how we operate, behave and interact to foster a workplace where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Our values include: Growing our People, Building Belonging, Innovating Responsibly, Delivering Excellence and Creating Customer Success.
As a team member, you will engage in impactful work through global collaboration and the use of emerging technologies, join an inclusive culture where every team member is valued and working toward a greater purpose, and be empowered to reach your full potential through various development programs designed to accelerate your growth.
Plexus offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support team members' wellbeing, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement savings, and opportunities for professional development. We also prioritize work-life balance and offer a variety of perks to enhance the team member experience. For more information, visit our US benefits website at usbenefits.plexus.com. Our commitment to pay range transparency fosters an equitable workplace, where everyone can feel valued. The annual compensation range for this position is stated below. The salary offered within this range will be based upon the geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level. Salary Range:
$36,000.00 - $54,000.00Purpose Statement: To support production by skillfully performing tasks and adhering to strict quality and safety standard for assembly, high level assembly and rework to meet customer requirements.
Key Job Accountabilities:
-
Adapts to changes in work plans, priorities, and management decisions, while maintaining a level temperament in stressful situations
- Actively participates in improvement initiatives and seeks opportunities to enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality at work.
- Works cooperatively within a team and cross-functional teams, sharing information, knowledge, and experiences proactively with co-workers.
- Demonstrates competency in job knowledge and skills, able to apply new work requirements with minimal supervision and willing to take on additional assignments.
- Ensures all certifications and training requirements for the role are up-to-date, manages workload effectively, and consistently completes assignments on time without compromising quality.
Education/Experience Qualifications:
- Education/Experience Qualifications:
- A minimum of a High School diploma/GED is required.
- Three (3) years of related experience is required; Five (5) or more years of related experience is preferred.
- Previous machine maintenance experience is desired.
- Complete all levels of available SFT associated with related equipment.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the key job accountabilities may be considered.
Other Qualifications:
- N/A
Physical Requirements:
- N/A
Travel Requirements:
- N/A
This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not intended to capture every possible assignment the incumbent could be asked to perform.
We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities or special requirements. If you need an application accommodation, please contact us by email at GHQ.TA@plexus.com. Please include your contact information and clearly describe how we can help you. This email is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Some offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a drug screen and/or background check.
About us: At Plexus, our vision is to help create the products that build a better world. Driven by a passion for excellence, we partner with leading Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare/Life Sciences and Industrial companies to design, manufacture and service some of the world’s most transformative products, including advanced surgical systems, diagnostic instruments, healthcare imaging equipment, mission critical aerospace systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Visit Plexus.com to learn more about our unwavering commitment to our vision.
When we invest in our people, we invest in building a better world.
With a vision rooted in the wellbeing and inclusive engagement of our team members, our customers, their end users and our communities, people are the heart of what we do and who we are. It is our values that unite us and guide us in everything that we do, including how we operate, behave and interact to foster a workplace where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Our values include: Growing our People, Building Belonging, Innovating Responsibly, Delivering Excellence and Creating Customer Success.
As a team member, you will engage in impactful work through global collaboration and the use of emerging technologies, join an inclusive culture where every team member is valued and working toward a greater purpose, and be empowered to reach your full potential through various development programs designed to accelerate your growth.
Plexus offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support team members' wellbeing, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement savings, and opportunities for professional development. We also prioritize work-life balance and offer a variety of perks to enhance the team member experience. For more information, visit our US benefits website at usbenefits.plexus.com. Our commitment to pay range transparency fosters an equitable workplace, where everyone can feel valued. The annual compensation range for this position is stated below. The salary offered within this range will be based upon the geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level. Salary Range:
$36,000.00 - $54,000.00Purpose Statement: To support production by skillfully performing tasks and adhering to strict quality and safety standard for assembly, high level assembly and rework to meet customer requirements.
Key Job Accountabilities:
-
Adapts to changes in work plans, priorities, and management decisions, while maintaining a level temperament in stressful situations
- Actively participates in improvement initiatives and seeks opportunities to enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality at work.
- Works cooperatively within a team and cross-functional teams, sharing information, knowledge, and experiences proactively with co-workers.
- Demonstrates competency in job knowledge and skills, able to apply new work requirements with minimal supervision and willing to take on additional assignments.
- Ensures all certifications and training requirements for the role are up-to-date, manages workload effectively, and consistently completes assignments on time without compromising quality.
Education/Experience Qualifications:
- Education/Experience Qualifications:
- A minimum of a High School diploma/GED is required.
- Three (3) years of related experience is required; Five (5) or more years of related experience is preferred.
- Previous machine maintenance experience is desired.
- Complete all levels of available SFT associated with related equipment.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the key job accountabilities may be considered.
Other Qualifications:
- N/A
Physical Requirements:
- N/A
Travel Requirements:
- N/A
This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not intended to capture every possible assignment the incumbent could be asked to perform.
We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities or special requirements. If you need an application accommodation, please contact us by email at GHQ.TA@plexus.com. Please include your contact information and clearly describe how we can help you. This email is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Some offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a drug screen and/or background check.
2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find 2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs2nd Assistant Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Yankee Candle69
- Newell Brands12
- Nassau County School District6
- Zumiez4
- North Shore Health4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Accounting & Auditing
- Electronics & Hardware
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in 2nd assistant engineer jobs.
- Valid USCG Third Assistant Engineer or higher license for the applicable vessel type
- STCW certification including Basic Safety Training and Proficiency in Survival Craft
- Minimum sea service hours in the engine department on vessels above a specified gross tonnage
- Hands-on experience with diesel propulsion, auxiliary boilers, or gas turbine systems
- Familiarity with MARPOL regulations, oily water separator logs, and environmental recordkeeping
- Ability to stand independent engineering watches and supervise engine room personnel
Tips for Your 2nd Assistant Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to your license
List your STCW certificates, USCG license class, and sea service hours in a dedicated credentials section near the top. Hiring managers for 2nd assistant engineer roles scan for license endorsements before reading anything else on your resume.
Highlight watchkeeping and machinery experience
Specify the engine types and horsepower ratings you've stood watch on. Vague entries like 'maintained engine room equipment' get skipped. Name the systems, the vessel class, and your autonomous watch certification status so reviewers know your actual scope.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists 2nd assistant engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by vessel type and trade route
Filter openings by vessel category, whether tanker, container, or offshore support, since your sea service documentation must reflect the vessel type the employer operates. Applying with mismatched tonnage experience extends the vetting process significantly.
Prepare for practical and oral technical interviews
Expect scenario questions on casualty management, MARPOL compliance, and oily water separator operations. Walk through your actual responses to past engine room emergencies rather than reciting procedures. Interviewers want to hear your decision-making process, not a manual recitation.
Negotiate your relief schedule before accepting
Rotation length directly affects your work-life structure as a 2nd assistant engineer. Clarify the sea-to-leave ratio, relief guarantee policy, and whether the company covers repatriation costs during your offer discussions, not after you've signed.
2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most 2nd assistant engineers?
Yankee Candle, Newell Brands, and Nassau County School District are hiring the most 2nd assistant engineers right now, with openings concentrated in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Activity tends to cluster around major port cities and offshore energy hubs.
How many 2nd assistant engineer jobs are remote?
About 6% of 2nd assistant engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, vessel-based nature of most roles. Shore-side positions in technical superintendent, fleet management, and marine consulting draw the highest share of remote or hybrid arrangements for engineers at this level.
How do you become a 2nd assistant engineer?
You typically start by completing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime academy program or accumulating qualifying sea service hours in the engine department as an unlicensed rating. From there, you sit for the USCG third assistant engineer license examination, build sea time on credentialed vessels, and upgrade your license incrementally through additional examinations and documented watchstanding experience.
Can you get hired as a 2nd assistant engineer with limited experience?
Some employers, particularly those operating domestic inland or near-coastal vessels, hire candidates who hold a valid USCG license but have limited deep-sea experience, provided their sea service hours meet the statutory minimum. Focusing your search on towing, ferry, or government vessel operators can open doors while you build the ocean-going hours needed for offshore and deep-draft positions.
What does the 2nd assistant engineer interview process look like?
Most employers start with a credentials review to confirm your license class, endorsements, and sea service documentation are current and applicable to their fleet. A technical interview follows, covering casualty scenarios, maintenance planning, and regulatory compliance knowledge. Some companies add a vessel familiarization tour or a practical assessment before extending a conditional offer.
Where can I find and apply to 2nd assistant engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to 2nd assistant engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your license class and vessel experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 240+ 2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find 2nd Assistant Engineer Jobs