Chief Mate Jobs in the U.S. Maritime Industry
4 open chief mate positions, updated November 3, 2026
Open Chief Mate Positions
About Chief Mate Jobs
Chief Mate is where the deck department stops being something you are part of and becomes something you run. The cargo plan is yours. So is the stability calculation behind it, the ballast sequence, the lashing, the maintenance schedule, the safety equipment, the drills and the training records, and the performance of every AB and OS aboard.
On a conventional ship the Chief Mate also stands the four to eight watch, which means the job is a full watchkeeping rotation with a department bolted on top. Port days are worse than sea days. Loading and discharge compress everything into the hours the terminal is working.
The license is a management-level credential. You get there through documented service as a second mate, the required courses, and an exam, and on international routes the corresponding STCW endorsements.
Berths exist on deep-sea cargo ships and tankers, MSC and government-operated fleets, research and survey vessels, offshore construction and supply vessels, and larger passenger operations.
It is also the proving ground for command. Companies use Chief Mate performance to decide who gets a Master's seat, and they are watching how you handle cargo, people and pressure at the same time.
Where Chief Mates Are Hiring
Companies Hiring Chief Mates
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Chief Mate do?
- The Chief Mate runs the deck department and is responsible for cargo operations, stability and ballast, deck maintenance and safety. On most ships the Chief Mate stands the four to eight watch and is second in command.
- What license does a Chief Mate need?
- A USCG Chief Mate endorsement for the applicable tonnage and route, plus the STCW management-level endorsements for vessels on international voyages. Required sea time as second mate is part of the upgrade.
- Is Chief Mate the step before Master?
- Yes. It is the last license grade before Master, and time served as Chief Mate is what qualifies you to sit for it.
- What rotation do Chief Mates work?
- Deep-sea voyages commonly run two to four months. Offshore and government contracts more often run even time, such as 28/28. Union berths follow the contract in force.