Marine Technical Advisor

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Viva Energy Australia is seeking a senior Marine Technical Advisor to lead marine assurance across shipping, terminals and tanker operations. The successful candidate will hold a Master Unlimited or Chief Engineer Unlimited Certificate of Competency with an Oil Tanker endorsement, bring substantial tanker seagoing experience, and demonstrate strong vetting, risk management and leadership with regulators, shipowners and operators. Based in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney with hybrid options and national travel, you will provide technical advice, audits, incident response and ship shore interface support. To apply, tailor your resume to show audits, cross functional collaboration, regulatory fluency and OCIMF engagement, address work rights in Australia, and highlight your ability to travel. Note applications close 4 September 2026; this role is being sourced by Viva Energy, no external agencies.

Company Description

Do amazing work 

A career with Viva Energy is more than just a job. It’s a chance to join a group of people dedicated to supporting Australia’s evolving energy and convenience needs. We’re a leading retail, industrial and energy business, and we’ve been helping Australians reach their destination for more than 120 years.  

Our plans for the future support Australia’s energy transition to sustainable, lower carbon energy solutions.  Through our acquisitions of Coles Express and OTR, we provide Australians with outstanding convenience. 

At the heart of our plans is people power. People who want to grow and evolve with us. People with new perspectives, energy and passion to drive Viva Energy and their careers forward.

At Viva Energy, safety, operational excellence and risk management are at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking an experienced Marine Technical Advisor to join our Marine Assurance team, providing specialist technical leadership across our shipping, marine terminal and tanker operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior maritime professional with a background as a tanker endorsed Master Unlimited or Chief Engineer, who is looking to leverage their operational expertise in a strategic, advisory and assurance-focused role.

With a national accountability, this role can be based in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney.

Job Description

As a Marine Technical Advisor, you will play a critical role in managing Viva Energy's shipping and marine risk, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations, industry standards and company assurance processes.

Working within the Marine Technical team, you will provide expert advice across the business, supporting Supply, Refining and Commercial operations while partnering closely with marine terminals, vessel operators, regulators and industry stakeholders.

The role combines technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, operational assurance and leadership, with travel required to locations where we operate across Australia.

Key Responsibilities

Marine Assurance & Vetting

• Conduct vessel vetting to ensure vessels and barges engaged by Viva Energy meet company standards and industry best practice.
• Manage marine assurance processes to support compliance with IMO conventions, local regulations and industry guidelines.
• Conduct audits of Viva Energy and third-party marine terminals across Australia.
• Conduct management reviews of ship owners and operators.

Operational Support

• Provide technical advice on shipping and marine operations.
• Support marine terminals with ship/shore interface management.
• Investigate and advise on operational issues including cargo contamination, product quality and quantity disputes, and marine incidents.
• Assist with oil spill preparedness activities and incident response.
• Work closely with bunker barges operating in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
• Train and mentor shore-based personnel on marine operations, risk management and assurance requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Viva Energy with regulators, port authorities, ship owners, and industry associations
• Maintain strong relationships with shipping partners, marine service providers and industry bodies including OCIMF.
• Support business development initiatives through technical advice and innovative maritime supply chain solutions.

Qualifications

About you

You are a respected maritime professional with extensive tanker operations experience and the credibility to influence stakeholders from frontline operators through to senior executives.

You will bring:

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Master Unlimited or Chief Engineer Unlimited Certificate of Competency with an Oil Tanker endorsement.
• Senior sea-going experience on oil tankers.
• Strong understanding of ship vetting, marine assurance and maritime risk management.
• Knowledge of international and Australian maritime regulations and industry standards.
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management capability.

Desirable

• Lead Auditor. Training.
• Experience with oil spill preparedness and incident response.
• Familiarity with Australian shipping and bunker operations.
• Exposure to CPP tanker operations, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region.
• Experience with ship/shore interface management and terminal operations.

What Success Looks Like

• You will be successful in this role if you can:
• Manage maritime risk to protect Viva Energy's people, assets, reputation and customers.
• Drive continuous improvement while maintaining industry-leading safety performance.
• Communicate complex maritime issues clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
• Influence outcomes with regulators, industry bodies and external partners.
• Provide practical, commercially focused solutions to technical and operational challenges.

Why Join Viva Energy?

This is a rare opportunity to transition your senior maritime expertise into a highly influential role where you will help shape marine assurance standards across a major Australian energy business. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to critical operational decisions and play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient and compliant marine operations nationwide.

If you're a Master Unlimited or Chief Engineer with extensive oil tanker experience and a passion for marine safety, assurance and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

About Viva Energy 

Join a team that values diversity. Viva Energy is a great place to be yourself. We believe in our people, trust in their positive intentions, and empower everyone to amplify their voice across the business. We value inclusion because that’s how we get the best outcomes. 

Awarded the WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for the past five years highlights that we are driven by our people and continuing our focus on making Viva Energy reflect the ever-changing face of Australia.  

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encourage and support diversity in our traditional and non-traditional roles.

At Viva Energy Australia, we believe flexibility is the new normal. We are open to flexibility options including hybrid, part-time, job-share and flexibility in start and finish times. We are happy to explore what this could look like for you during the recruitment process. 

Please note: This role is being sourced through Viva Energy Australia, therefore we will not be accepting applications via external recruitment agencies.

Only applications from candidates holding full working rights for employment in Australia will be considered.

Applications close Friday, 4 September 2026