In the competitive yacht engineering market, offering attractive packages is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. Our brilliant Head of the Engineering Department, Jacqui Young, brings you valuable market insights on competitive salaries, rotation and benefits that top yacht engineers are looking for.

When creating job packages for yacht engineers, it's important to consider a range of factors and to consider what you can offer experienced engineers to make them interested to move from their current yachts.

What rotation package should you offer?

Equal rotation has become the norm for Chief and Second Engineers at Y3 level and above, with a 2:2 rotation emerging as the most favored option.

What are the current salary trends?

We haven't seen much change in European salaries over the last few years compared to the US market. Therefore, we are starting to find it more difficult to attract the right engineers who are already benefiting from higher salaries on smaller yachts in the US market.

Moreover, clients are looking for experienced candidates with proven longevity but continue to offer the same starting salary from several years ago. Keep in mind that top engineers will have earned annual pay-rises for their commitment over the years, so this has to be reflected in the starting salary you are offering to attract them.

What are some additional benefits to offer?

Business class flights are always an attractive proposition to engineers and some are already benefitting from them on their current yacht.

Additionally, allocating a budget for courses, training, and team development is also attractive to engineers and crew members across all departments.

How to use a unique selling point?

it's not always about rotation and the money. You also need to consider what your yacht offers to differentiate from all the rest. Is it a happy crew environment? Do you promote stability and reward longevity? Do you have an extensive itinerary?

To summarise, if you want to attract high-calibre engineers with experience and longevity, then you need to make an offer that's attractive enough for them to want to join you.

Work with your recruiter so we can sell the benefits of your yacht to potential candidates.

By partnering with recruiters, you will get an ally who is knowledgeable about the marketplace and works with an extensive number of yachts of all ranges. This way you can better understand the competitive landscape for engineers at all levels and find the right candidate for you.