Victory Farms, the leading aquaculture enterprise in East Africa, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Maintenance Engineer (Marine) to join its expanding operations at the Roo Bay Farm in Homa Bay County. With its pioneering spirit and sustainability-focused operations, Victory Farms is not only the largest tilapia producer in Kenya but also a global leader in innovative aquaculture development.
This role presents a unique opportunity for a technically proficient and mission-oriented engineering professional to be at the forefront of sustainable marine infrastructure. The selected candidate will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the mechanical efficiency of marine vessels and related aquaculture machinery, supporting Victory Farms’ goal of delivering affordable and sustainable protein across Africa.
This is more than just a job — it is a call to contribute meaningfully to a high-impact, fast-paced, and rapidly growing enterprise that is reshaping food systems across the continent.
About Victory Farms
Victory Farms (VF) was established in 2016 on Lake Victoria, combining state-of-the-art on-shore and off-shore aquaculture infrastructure with a vision to redefine food security in Africa. With its headquarters in Nairobi and a rapidly growing presence across Kenya, VF has become a benchmark for sustainable aquaculture practices globally.
In just eight months from inception, the company became the largest aquaculture producer in Kenya. As of today, VF operates one of the largest hatcheries on the continent and continues to grow its vertically integrated model — from breeding and farming to processing and distributing fish across diverse markets.
At the heart of VF’s mission is a dedication to environmental responsibility, social equity, and operational excellence. The company is committed to being the most sustainable tilapia farm in the world, aligning with global best practices and environmental benchmarks while feeding millions of people with affordable, high-quality protein.
Working at Victory Farms is more than employment — it’s an opportunity to be part of a visionary enterprise that invests in its people, provides continuous mentorship, and opens up unparalleled exposure to world-class systems and leadership.
Position Title: Maintenance Engineer (Marine)
Location: Roo Bay Farm, Homa Bay
Application Deadline: 11th July 2025
Application Method: Submit your CV and cover letter to [email protected] with the job title Maintenance Engineer (Marine) in the email subject line.
Position Overview
The Maintenance Engineer (Marine) will be responsible for the operational integrity, repair, and performance optimization of all marine vessels and aquaculture-related mechanical systems at Victory Farms. This role demands an individual with deep technical knowledge in marine engineering and mechanical systems, a solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to lead proactive maintenance practices.
The successful candidate will bring a high level of expertise in diagnosing faults, overseeing equipment upgrades, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to continuous improvement in mechanical operations. Additionally, this individual will be expected to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, enforce safety standards, and provide mentorship to technical staff.
Detailed Job Description
1. Marine and Mechanical Systems Management
- Assume full responsibility for maintaining and ensuring the operational reliability of all marine vessels, including speed boats, barges, and floating platforms.
- Oversee the functionality and upkeep of vessel propulsion systems, steering gear, auxiliary machinery, filtration systems, deck equipment, and associated onboard systems.
- Manage the preventive and corrective maintenance of key mechanical assets including cranes, concrete mixers, rammers, compactors, bulldozers, TLBs, tractors, and trucks used across aquaculture and site operations.
- Develop and implement structured maintenance schedules and asset servicing routines to minimize unplanned downtime and maximize equipment life.
- Carry out regular diagnostics and performance inspections to ensure optimal functionality of marine and mechanical systems.
- Maintain accurate service records for all equipment to support traceability, forecasting, and audit requirements.
2. Troubleshooting & Repair
- Quickly and accurately diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic faults in marine and land-based machinery.
- Lead or supervise the execution of repairs, including pump replacements, hose fittings, system recalibrations, and structural refurbishments.
- Ensure that all repairs adhere to quality, safety, and technical standards.
- Liaise with procurement and inventory teams to ensure the timely availability of critical spare parts and consumables.
- Implement emergency response protocols for breakdowns or operational disruptions, ensuring minimal impact on operations.
- Document all repair activities, analyze recurring issues, and recommend preventative measures.
3. Design & Optimization
- Contribute to the design, customization, and performance optimization of new and existing marine vessels and mechanical systems.
- Review operational data to identify inefficiencies or opportunities for mechanical improvement and propose innovative technical solutions.
- Participate in feasibility assessments for upgrading equipment or introducing new mechanical technologies.
- Conduct cost-benefit analysis for mechanical innovations to support informed decision-making.
- Work closely with engineers and technicians in the drafting of mechanical schematics and blueprints using CAD tools.
4. Project Management & Compliance
- Plan, lead, or support technical projects related to infrastructure upgrades, marine installations, and equipment commissioning.
- Monitor project timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory requirements.
- Ensure all mechanical operations comply with internal safety guidelines, local legislation, maritime regulations, and classification society requirements.
- Maintain a repository of technical documentation, including blueprints, compliance certificates, and maintenance logs.
- Participate in audits, inspections, and risk assessments, addressing compliance gaps and implementing corrective actions.
5. Team Collaboration & Safety Culture
- Actively collaborate with operations teams, electrical engineers, and aquaculture specialists to ensure smooth integration of mechanical functions.
- Promote safety-first thinking and risk awareness within engineering and operations teams.
- Lead safety drills and toolbox talks related to mechanical hazards and marine safety.
- Train and mentor junior technicians, equipping them with hands-on skills and best practices in mechanical maintenance and safety.
- Build a responsive and high-performance maintenance team that supports 24/7 operations.
Key Skills and Competencies
- Extensive knowledge and experience with marine propulsion systems, auxiliary vessels equipment, and heavy-duty mechanical machinery.
- Proven ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical faults under challenging operational conditions.
- Familiarity with international maritime laws, marine classification standards, and safety procedures.
- Proficiency in CAD-based design software and engineering analysis tools.
- Strong leadership, project management, and team coordination capabilities.
- High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, high-pressure marine environment with minimal supervision.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related discipline.
- Has over five years of experience in mechanical and marine engineering roles, preferably in aquaculture, shipping, oil & gas, or industrial marine environments.
- Demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, continuous learning, and technical excellence.
- Comfortable working in remote and outdoor environments, with a hands-on approach to solving problems.
- Has strong interpersonal communication skills and is able to influence cross-functional teams.
Benefits of Joining Victory Farms
- Be part of the fastest-growing aquaculture company in Africa.
- Gain exposure to cutting-edge aquaculture technologies and practices.
- Work within a mission-driven organization committed to food security and sustainability.
- Receive mentorship from experienced professionals in the entrepreneurial and social impact sectors.
- Opportunity for career progression within a dynamic and expanding multinational company.
- Contribute to a legacy of sustainable food systems and impactful change in Africa.
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit a two-page CV and a cover letter articulating their qualifications and motivation to join Victory Farms. Kindly email your application to [email protected] with the subject line: Maintenance Engineer (Marine).
Deadline for applications: 11th July 2025
Victory Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
