Marine Coatings Project Manager

About

Company Overview 

US Coatings, LLC (USC) specializes in providing interior tank coating, cleaning and surface preparation services for various marine vessels including cargo (advanced chemical linings), ballast, and freshwater tanks. Additionally, USC is an applicator of advanced coatings and protective systems for marine hulls, decks, and superstructures.  

US Coatings, LLC operates across the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi and Ohio River system, Great Lakes and the Mid-Atlantic serving multiple end-markets within the marine industry including transportation, logistics, tourism, leisure, commercial fishing, and the federal government.  

US Coatings LLC is part of a family of companies unified by purpose to deliver safe, reliable solutions to our clients’ unique challenges. We are committed to providing superior service and leaving things better than we found them.  

Overview

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Marine Coatings Project Manager to oversee surface preparation, abrasive blasting, industrial painting, and protective coating projects involving U.S. Navy vessels, commercial ships, shipyards, and marine facilities.

In this role, you'll manage projects from initial planning and estimating through execution, quality inspections, and final completion. You'll coordinate field crews, subcontractors, materials, equipment, and project schedules while ensuring work meets customer specifications, safety requirements, and quality standards.

You'll work closely with shipyard personnel, vessel owners, government representatives, and internal operations teams to deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within budget. Projects may include dry-docked vessels, active shipyard operations, waterfront infrastructure, and maintenance or preservation work aboard military and commercial ships.

Here's What You'll Be Doing

Project Management & Field Operations

• Manage marine coatings and surface preparation projects involving Navy vessels, commercial ships, barges, and waterfront structures.
• Oversee abrasive blasting, surface preparation, industrial painting, and protective coating applications.
• Coordinate daily field operations, including crew assignments, equipment, materials, and subcontractors.
• Develop project schedules, manpower plans, and production targets to meet contractual deadlines.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, labor costs, productivity, and profitability.
• Conduct site visits, project meetings, and inspections to ensure work meets specifications.
• Coordinate with shipyard management and other trades working aboard vessels or within active shipyard facilities.

Estimating & Contract Management

• Review project drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and bid documents.
• Assist with estimating labor, materials, equipment, and project costs.
• Manage project budgets, change orders, purchase orders, and subcontractor agreements.
• Track project financial performance, identify cost overruns, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain project documentation, production reports, and customer communication.

Marine Coatings & Quality Control

• Oversee surface preparation and coating applications on vessel hulls, decks, tanks, structural steel, and marine equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable AMPP/SSPC/NACE standards, customer specifications, and coating manufacturer requirements.
• Coordinate surface preparation inspections, environmental monitoring, dry film thickness testing, and coating quality inspections.
• Work with quality control personnel and customer representatives to resolve deficiencies.
• Ensure proper documentation of coating inspections, testing, and project closeout requirements.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Enforce OSHA maritime and shipyard safety requirements and applicable site-specific safety procedures.
• Coordinate safe execution of blasting, painting, confined-space work, and other high-risk operations.
• Ensure proper use of respiratory protection, ventilation, containment systems, and personal protective equipment.
• Support compliance with applicable environmental regulations, including hazardous coating removal, waste handling, and containment requirements.

Essential Responsibilities

Requirements and Education

• Experience managing industrial painting, protective coatings, marine construction, or ship repair projects.
• Experience overseeing field crews, subcontractors, project schedules, and budgets.
• Working knowledge of abrasive blasting, surface preparation, and industrial coating systems.
• Experience interpreting project specifications, drawings, and technical requirements.
• Experience with project estimating, cost tracking, change orders, and project documentation.
• Experience working in industrial, shipyard, marine, or similarly regulated construction environments.
• Ability to access and work aboard vessels, including navigating ladders, gangways, and confined work areas as required by the position.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.

Qualifications

Preferred Requirements and Education

• Experience managing U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC), or other government vessel maintenance and preservation projects.
• Experience with NAVSEA Standard Items and applicable Navy preservation specifications.
• Familiarity with commercial ship repair, dry-dock operations, and vessel maintenance.
• AMPP/SSPC/NACE coating inspection certifications, such as AMPP CIP Level 1 or 2.
• Experience with marine coating systems, including epoxy, polyurethane, antifouling, and corrosion-resistant coatings.
• Familiarity with NAVSEA Standard Item 009-32 and related surface preparation and painting requirements.
• Experience with marine environmental containment and hazardous coating removal.
• Experience working with government contracting requirements and military shipyard procedures.
• Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.

EEO Statement 

US Coatings, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.