Crane Maintenance Superintendent

Job Title: Crane Maintenance Superintendent Location: Wilmington, Delaware Department: Maintenance & Engineering Reports To: Crane Maintenance Manager FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt Position Summary The Crane Maintenance Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the inspection, repair, preventive maintenance, and general upkeep of all container handling cranes at the terminal, including Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes, and Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes.

This role ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of cranes to support continuous terminal productivity and operational uptime.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Oversight Supervise daily maintenance activities for all crane systems and related equipment. Coordinate and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programs. Oversee diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and control system issues. Review service records and logs; ensure compliance with OEM maintenance recommendations.

Team Leadership & Safety Lead a team of crane technicians, mechanics, and electricians. Assign tasks, set priorities, and monitor performance and work quality. Promote and enforce a culture of safety in compliance with OSHA, ANSI, and terminal safety standards. Conduct regular toolbox talks, safety briefings, and incident investigations.

Operational Coordination Liaise with terminal operations, planning, and equipment control to minimize crane downtime and maintenance disruptions. Maintain clear communication channels between shifts and departments. Support commissioning, upgrades, and integration of new cranes or crane systems. Inventory & Procurement Manage spare parts inventory and requisition necessary components and consumables.

Work with procurement teams to source parts, tools, and service contractors. Technical Documentation & Reporting Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities in the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System). Prepare reports on equipment performance, maintenance trends, and KPIs for management. Assist in developing technical documentation, SOPs, and maintenance schedules.

Required Qualifications Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Strong understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems for heavy equipment and/or cranes. Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot issues using diagnostic tools, manuals, and digital systems. Familiarity with preventive maintenance schedules and repair documentation .

Proficiency with maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office. Experience managing a team of mechanics/technicians , including scheduling, assigning work, and evaluating performance. Skilled in recordkeeping for maintenance logs, repair history, and inventory management. Must have or meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a TWIC.

Preferred Qualifications

Five years of maintenance experience with container cranes (STS, RTG, RMG), and two years in a supervisory or team lead capacity. An understanding of crane electrical systems, PLCs, drives, gearboxes, motors, and hydraulics. Proficiency in maintenance software (CMMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and crane diagnostics tools.

Experience working in a unionized maritime environment or container terminal. Familiarity with crane OEMs such as ZPMC, Liebherr, Konecranes, or Kalmar. Knowledge of port logistics systems and container handling operations. Work Environment & Physical Requirements Exposure to loud noise, heights, confined spaces, and maritime outdoor conditions.

Ability to climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs, and work on elevated platforms. Availability for shift work, emergency call-outs, weekends, and holidays.