Marine engineer

About this occupation

Marine engineers design, build, maintain and repair the hull, mechanical, electronic equipment and auxiliary systems such as engines, pumps, heating, ventilation, generator sets. They work on all types of boats from pleasure crafts to naval vessels, including submarines.

A specialisation of mechanical engineer.

• Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
• Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
• Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
• Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
• Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
• Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Investigative, Conventional

Top skills: Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking

US median pay: US$112,230 a year (2025), 8,250 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.2)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.0)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
• PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.6)
• WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (3.6)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.5)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.