Job Introduction
FLOTILLA ENGINEER-MECHANIC
Location: Vounaki Beachclub Sailing Centre, Paleros, Greece
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Relevant engineering/mechanical qualification or demonstrable professional experience (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £1,420 PCM gross, plus shared accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
In a Nutshell
- Keep our flotilla yacht fleet safe, reliable and moving throughout the season.
- Take your existing engineering or mechanical skills into a fast-paced sailing environment.
- Diagnose and solve real-world technical problems while supporting guests and the wider Yacht Team.
- Build valuable marine engineering experience while working as part of one of Neilson’s most established sailing operations.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
We’re looking for great personalities as well as great CVs – people who are practical, adaptable, considerate, hard-working, willing to learn and ready to play their part in a close-knit team.
For this role, relevant experience and transferable technical skills matter just as much as where you gained them.
You may already work in marine engineering, or your background might be automotive, agricultural, plant, mechanical or another technical environment. If you understand how things work, enjoy fault-finding and have strong practical ability, many of those skills can transfer brilliantly into our Yacht operation.
About You
You’re practical, resourceful and calm when something stops working at exactly the wrong moment.
You enjoy diagnosing faults, solving problems and finding practical solutions – particularly when the answer isn’t sitting neatly in a workshop manual.
You’ll have strong mechanical experience and be comfortable working with systems such as diesel engines, 12-volt electrics and basic plumbing.
You don’t necessarily need to come from a marine background, but you do need solid technical foundations and the confidence to learn unfamiliar systems quickly.
You’re organised, safety-conscious and happy working independently, sometimes away from the main sailing centre and under operational time pressure.
You’ll also be a strong team player. The Yacht Team and our guests will rely on you to communicate clearly, stay positive and help get things moving again when problems arise.
Role Overview
As Flotilla Engineer-Mechanic, you’ll provide technical and maintenance support to the Neilson flotilla fleet throughout the season.
You’ll diagnose faults, carry out repairs, support preventative maintenance and help minimise yacht downtime so our guests can continue enjoying their sailing holiday.
Unlike the Shore-Based Engineer-Mechanic role, this position is closely connected to the day-to-day flotilla operation. That means you may need to respond to technical issues away from the main base, work closely with flotilla crews and local suppliers, and find practical solutions quickly in changing circumstances.
You’ll be part engineer, part problem-solver and a hugely important part of keeping the flotilla operation running smoothly.
If your technical experience comes from another industry, this is also a great opportunity to apply those skills in a marine environment and develop valuable yacht engineering knowledge along the way.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical faults across the flotilla yacht fleet.
- Carry out preventative maintenance to keep yachts safe, reliable and guest-ready.
- Respond to technical issues arising during flotilla operations and help minimise downtime.
- Work with diesel engines, 12-volt electrical systems, plumbing and other onboard equipment within your level of competence.
- Support flotilla crews with practical and technical problems as they arise.
- Prioritise repairs according to safety, guest impact and operational requirements.
- Manage your workload, tools and time effectively.
- Maintain consistently high standards of workmanship and attention to detail.
- Identify faults early and communicate repair, replacement or specialist-support requirements promptly.
- Maintain effective communication with the Yacht Manager and wider Yacht Team.
- Build positive working relationships with local suppliers and service providers.
- Help ensure yachts, marina areas and operational spaces consistently meet Neilson standards.
- Support colleagues and guests with equipment-related issues where appropriate.
- Maintain the highest standards of health and safety.
- Take responsibility for the appropriate maintenance, security and care of Neilson tools and equipment.
- Remain flexible and prepared to respond when urgent maintenance issues affect the flotilla operation.
- Support other departments and wider resort operations when required.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Have relevant professional engineering or mechanical experience.
- Have strong practical fault-finding and repair skills.
- Understand mechanical systems and safe working practices.
- Are confident working independently and taking responsibility for the quality of your work.
- Enjoy solving technical problems under pressure.
- Can think creatively and practically when the obvious solution isn’t available.
- Are organised and capable of prioritising urgent maintenance requirements.
- Stay calm, positive and solutions-focused when operational problems arise.
- Have a strong work ethic and take pride in doing things properly.
- Are adaptable and willing to learn unfamiliar marine systems.
- Communicate clearly with colleagues, suppliers and guests when required.
- Are resilient and comfortable working within a busy seasonal operation.
- Work well independently while remaining a strong team player.
- Can confidently communicate in English.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- AEC1 and/or AEC2 Approved Engine Course qualifications.
- NVQ Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair or recognised equivalent.
- Previous flotilla, yacht or marine engineering experience.
- Knowledge of diesel marine engines.
- Strong experience with 12V electrical systems.
- Plumbing experience.
- Experience within automotive, agricultural, plant or mechanical engineering.
- VHF Licence*.
- ICC Sail qualification*.
- Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
- Customer-facing experience.
* If you don’t already hold a VHF Licence or ICC, don’t let that stop you applying. For the right candidate, we can provide the necessary training and qualification opportunities in resort.
Qualifications & Experience
There are several potential routes into this role.
We’re interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong relevant engineering and mechanical experience, whether that comes from the marine industry or another transferable technical background.
Relevant qualifications may include:
- AEC1 and AEC2 Approved Engine Course qualifications.
- NVQ Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair or recognised equivalent.
- Other recognised marine, automotive, agricultural, plant or mechanical engineering qualifications.
Professional experience may also be considered where you can demonstrate the technical knowledge and practical competence required for the role.
For further guidance, please click here: Yacht Qualification Guidance
You do not need to have completed every relevant qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete a relevant qualification before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
If you’re unsure whether your qualifications or experience are suitable, please apply and tell us about your technical background. We’d rather assess your experience than have a potentially brilliant candidate rule themselves out.
First Aid Requirements
A First Aid certificate is mandatory for the Flotilla Engineer-Mechanic role.
At a minimum, this must be a one-day, in-person Emergency First Aid at Work course.
Your certificate must be in place by your start date and remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If you haven’t yet completed your First Aid qualification but are booked onto or planning to complete the required course before your start date, you can still apply – just provide the details and expected completion date within your application.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
