ETO Cadet Jobs

An ETO Cadet (Electro-Technical Officer Cadet) is the first step toward one of the most in-demand technical careers at sea. This cadetship provides the required sea service to obtain the Electro-Technical Officer (III/6) Certificate of Competency and progress to the position of ETO.Due to the global shortage of marine electrical officers, ETO Cadet positions are among the most перспективные maritime cadet careers in terms of salary growth and long-term opportunities.JobMarineMan features active ETO Cadet Jobs at Sea on LNG carriers, tankers, container ships, cruise vessels, bulk carriers, and DP Offshore fleets. Direct hiring only — your CV is sent directly to the company’s crewing department with no agency commissions.

Who Is an ETO Cadet and What Are the Responsibilities Onboard

An Electro-Technical Officer Cadet works directly under the supervision of the Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and Chief Engineer. The main objective is to learn ship electrical systems, automation, and power management in real operating conditions while completing the required sea service for certification exams.

Main Duties of an ETO Cadet

• Main Switchboard Familiarization — learning generators, switchboards, and AVR systems
• PMS (Power Management System) — understanding generator synchronization and power distribution
• High Voltage Awareness — basic familiarization with 6.6 kV and 11 kV systems
• Automation & IAS — Integrated Automation Systems such as Kongsberg, Wärtsilä NACOS, ABB, Valmet
• Frequency Drives — ABB, Siemens, Danfoss variable frequency drives
• Cargo Automation — Saab Tank Radar, Emerson, Honeywell Enraf systems
• Navigation Electronics — ECDIS, RADAR, bridge electronics support
• Emergency Power & UPS — emergency generators and UPS systems
• PMS Electrical Tasks — Planned Maintenance System electrical tasks under ETO supervision
• Training Record Book (TRB) — maintaining cadet training records
• ISM Familiarization — electrical safety and SMS procedures

Without a properly completed TRB, it is impossible to obtain the Electro-Technical Officer (CoC III/6) license.

Equipment and Systems ETO Cadets Work With

Modern ships are heavily automated and electronically integrated. During cadetship, future ETOs must understand the operating principles of key systems.

Electrical and Automation Systems

• Main Switchboards: ABB, Siemens, Hyundai, Terasaki
• HV Systems: 6.6 kV / 11 kV
• Power Management Systems: Kongsberg, ABB Marine PMS, Wärtsilä
• IAS / Automation: Kongsberg AutoChief, Wärtsilä NACOS Platinum, Valmet DNA
• PLC Systems: Siemens S7, Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Schneider
• Frequency Drives: ABB ACS, Siemens Sinamics, Danfoss VLT
• Navigation Electronics: Furuno, JRC, Sperry, Raytheon Anschütz
• Cargo Systems: Saab Tank Radar, Honeywell Enraf
• UPS systems and emergency lighting
• Cathodic Protection systems

Cadets are not expected to become experts immediately. The priority is learning the fundamentals, understanding automation logic, and reading electrical diagrams.

Types of Ships Hiring ETO Cadets

LNG / Tanker ETO Cadet

LNG carriers, tankers, and chemical vessels offer premium salaries and highly automated systems even for cadets.Open LNG Fleet Vacancies

Container Ship ETO Cadet

Container ships provide valuable experience with high voltage systems, reefer container networks, and large-scale power distribution.Container Ship Vacancies

Cruise Vessel ETO Cadet

Cruise ships are considered one of the best training environments for ETO Cadets: Azipod propulsion, hotel electrical systems, medical equipment, and complex automation.Cruise Fleet Vacancies

Bulk Carrier / General Cargo

A calmer operational pace allows more time for equipment familiarization and TRB completion.Bulk Carrier & General Cargo Vacancies

Offshore / DP Fleet

DP systems by Kongsberg / GE, blackout prevention systems, and advanced automation technologies.DP Offshore Vacancies

Life Onboard as an ETO Cadet

Unlike Engine Cadets or Deck Cadets, ETO Cadets usually work in a day work schedule directly with the ETO.

• Day work schedule — typically 08:00–17:00
• Constant onboard learning alongside the ETO
• Alarm response and troubleshooting training
• Studying electrical diagrams and automation systems
• Working with TRB and technical documentation
• Contracts usually last 4–6 months

➡️ Find ETO Cadet Jobs
· Check Vessel Details via Vessel Database
· Register Your Cadet CV

ETO Cadet Salaries (Market Rates 2026)

• LNG / LPG Fleet — $900–1,500/month
• Cruise Fleet — $700–1,200/month
• Tanker Fleet — $700–1,200/month
• Container Fleet — $600–1,000/month
• Bulk Carrier — $500–900/month
• General Cargo / Ro-Ro — $500–900/month

Due to the global shortage of ETOs, ETO Cadet salaries are often higher than Engine Cadet or Deck Cadet salaries.

Requirements for ETO Cadet Positions

Typical requirements include:

• Marine Electrical Engineering education
• Cadet Letter / internship assignment
• Training Record Book (TRB)
• Seaman’s Book
• Seafarer’s ID
• STCW Basic Safety Training (A-VI/1)
• ENG1 medical certificate
• English language skills (Marlins 50%+)
• Basic Tanker certificate for tanker fleet
• Basic LNG / IGF for LNG fleet
• Basic PLC systems knowledge is an advantage

Career Progression for ETO Cadets

ETO Cadet → Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

After obtaining sea service and CoC III/6 certification.ETO Vacancies

ETO → Senior ETO / Chief Electrician

On cruise, offshore, and DP fleets.

Shore-Based Career Opportunities

• Electrical Superintendent
• Automation Engineer
• Technical Manager
• Careers with ABB, Wärtsilä, Kongsberg, Siemens

The ETO profession is considered one of the most future-proof and highest-demand careers in the maritime industry.

Common Mistakes That Prevent ETO Cadets From Getting Hired

• Incomplete or poorly maintained TRB
• Expired STCW certificates
• No PLC or automation experience mentioned in CV
• Weak English language skills
• No mention of Kongsberg, ABB, or Wärtsilä systems
• Missing Tanker or LNG endorsements
• Expired medical certificate

Direct hiring through JobMarineMan helps cadets receive fast feedback from crewing managers and improve their CVs quickly.

Why Choose Direct Hiring Through JobMarineMan

Technical Vessel Data

Check vessel details through the Vessel Database: automation systems, generator types, PSC history, and vessel age.Check Vessel Details via Vessel Database

Direct Contact

Communicate directly with crewing managers without intermediaries.

No Fees

No agency commissions or hidden charges.

Fast Feedback

Average response time is approximately 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become an ETO Cadet without marine electrical education?

No. Professional marine electrical education is required for ETO Cadet positions.

Is PLC experience required before the first contract?

Not mandatory, but it is a major advantage.

Which is better for the first contract — LNG or Bulk Carrier?

• LNG — more automation and higher salaries
• Bulk Carrier — calmer environment and more learning time

Does the company pay for flights and visas?

In most cases — yes.

How востребована is the ETO profession?

ETO is one of the most in-demand and highest-paid professions in the modern maritime industry.

What should I do after the first contract?

Obtain CoC III/6 certification and apply for Electro-Technical Officer positions.➡️ Find ETO Cadet Jobs
· Create Seafarer CV
· Explore Vessel Database