Vessel IT Specialist / IT officer

Our client is a fast-growing shipping organisation, with offices in Europe and Asia, which deals with transportation of crude and petroleum products.

The Vessel IT Specialist is responsible for managing the IT infrastructure and support services across the organization’s maritime fleet. This includes overseeing the deployment, maintenance, security, and performance of onboard IT and communication systems in accordance with company standards, maritime regulations, and cybersecurity frameworks. The role requires close coordination with vessel crews, vendors, and internal stakeholders, along with strategic oversight of technical support teams and projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and implement standard procedures and best practices for IT operations onboard vessels, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of vessel IT infrastructure including servers, workstations, networking devices, and satellite communication systems.
• Ensure all systems onboard comply with cybersecurity guidelines and are protected through appropriate monitoring, patching, and incident response protocols.
• Manage vendor relationships for hardware, software, and communication services, including contract negotiation, procurement, and performance evaluation.
• Provide senior-level guidance on resolving complex IT issues and ensure availability of first- and second-line support for vessel crews.
• Oversee the deployment and lifecycle of maritime software systems such as PMS, SMS, ECDIS, and crew management tools.
• Collaborate with fleet operations, marine teams, and other IT functions to ensure IT alignment with operational goals.
• Plan and manage budgets for vessel IT systems, projects, and upgrades.
• Coordinate and, when necessary, perform vessel visits (national and international) for audits, installations, and troubleshooting.
• Monitor IT service KPIs and drive continuous improvement in service delivery, system reliability, and end-user satisfaction.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Relevant IT certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), CompTIA Network+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), ITIL Foundation).
• Strong project management and vendor management skills.
• Familiarity with maritime communication technologies (e.g., Starlink, VSAT, Fleet Broadband) and IMO regulations related to IT and cyber risk management.

Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in IT infrastructure and support roles, ideally within the maritime or logistics industry.
• Proven expertise in managing Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and core networking protocols (TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, DNS/DHCP).
• Experience working in a cross-functional team environment and leading technical projects across multiple geographic locations.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interface effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.