Marine Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a marine engineer. Feel free to use our marine engineer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a marine engineer.
Who Is a Marine Engineer?
A marine engineer would not have been heard of a century ago, but it is now as well known as any other career. Engineering as an area of study has advanced and diversified well beyond anything that could have been envisaged before this time. Not only that, but it has also expanded into many specialized disciplines, all of which have made significant success. Marine engines for propulsion debuted in the latter half of the nineteenth century, changing seagoing vehicles. Around this time, the marine engineer began to impose his influence over the work program and changed his title from “stoker” to “engineer.”
Many new developments in marine technology, including fuel cells and magnetohydrodynamics, have been introduced in recent years, enhancing the machines and services.
Many engineering specializations (including acoustical, chemical, civil, electrical, electronics, hardware, marine, materials, mechanical, and software engineering) are combined with marine scientific principles, physics, and mathematics to form marine engineering.
A Marine engineer is an individual who assists in the design, construction, and maintenance of ships, boats, and other surface and subsurface water vessels and structures, as well as ship steering, propulsion, and other systems. They also create equipment for oceanographic research. Creating blueprints, designing engines, testing prototypes, and supervising the production of full-scale models are all part of the job. A marine engineer examines equipment and structures, planning and prioritizes jobs, and provides advice to others. A Marine Engineer works with a variety of sciences; technically a marine engineer will be responsible for Propulsion mechanics, electrical generating systems, power generating systems, lubrication, fuel systems, water distillation, lighting, and air conditioning systems, etc, which are some of the mechanical systems that aid in the operation of any vessel.
Marine Engineers execute several maritime activities, such as underwater vehicle development, cable laying operations, and renewable energy production in marine environments, among others. Marine engineers may spend time aboard a ship assessing its performance, obtaining data for maintenance, or planning a future retrofit. Offshore drilling engineers frequently spend time aboard the oil rig to supervise maintenance or repair work affecting the rig’s mechanical systems. Whether working on huge ships or at docks, marine engineers are responsible for ensuring that other marine and naval experts can safely execute their job tasks. They evaluate all of the aspects that affect an aquatic environment and come up with solutions for working in and around water. Marine engineers design machines that can help with tourism, ocean conservation, resource harvesting, and even military spy operations. They work with other engineers and naval professionals to define the specs for a new project and test it in an aquatic environment before launching it.
More research and development are underway, and new information is being released regularly. As a result, it is safe to say that marine engineering is a fast-paced field.
Many people all across the world have recently been interested in this research issue.
Based on current trends and public interest, it is realistic to predict that this field of research will continue to have a profound impact on the world.
Ship engineers, who operate or supervise the operation of a ship’s machinery, are not to be confused with marine engineers. A marine engineer is also known as a; Marine Design Engineer, Marine Mechanical Engineer
Marine Engineer Job Description
Below are the marine engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a marine engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a marine engineer include the following:
- Conducting research and tests to help designers and builders of marine vehicles and equipment make better decisions for products, such as Marine equipment and structures.
- Maintaining and Repairing Electronic Equipment: Machines, devices, and equipment that function primarily on electrical or electronic (rather than mechanical) principles are serviced, repaired, calibrated, regulated, fine-tuned, or tested.
- Bunkering of fuel oil: The transfer of fuel oil from a bunker station or barge to the ship is also handled by marine engineers.A marine engineer will also create plans to supply a ship with enough fuel for the duration of the sea voyage.
- Illustrating layout and engineering designs to clients and team members for examination and feedback
- Determining the settings under which testing will be performed, as well as the test sequences and stages.
- Ensuring the quality and integrity of marine vessels and equipment by supervising their construction.
- Examining marine machinery and equipment to create work requests and job specifications.
- Preparing/Organizing technical reports such as design analysis documentation, research, and system diagnostic.
- Conducting tests on marine machinery and equipment for environmental, operational, and performance reasons.
- Conducting quality control inspections and examinations on all systems and equipment and installing upgrades, as needed.
- Examining work requests and comparing them with previously completed work on ships to ensure that charges are reasonable.
- Training and overseeing engineering divisions comprising designers, mechanics, and construction staff.
- Assisting ship captains and shore workers in keeping schedules and budgets on track, as well as ensuring that ships are run safely and efficiently.
- Designing and supervising marine apparatus and equipment testing, installation, and repair.
- Servicing electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems regularly.
- Consulting with researchers to clarify or resolve issues, as well as to build or change designs.
- Keeping in touch with contractors to ensure that the job is completed appropriately, on time, and within budget.
- Obtaining the materials required to repair marine machinery and equipment.
- Testing and adjusting components of a water vessel in a controlled setting.
- Maintaining automatic control system, alarm system.
- Prepares cost estimates, contract specifications, design, and construction timetables.
- Writing technical reports for engineers, managers, and salespeople to use.
- keeping up with the latest laws about safety and the environment.
- Obtaining and analyzing data on ship speed, buoyancy, and other important variables.
- Maintaining, and repairing marine vehicles and equipment.
- Investigating and diagnosing technical problems, as well as making appropriate remedies.
- Managing all areas of the structural, mechanical, and electrical design processes.
- Assuring that safety procedures and project deadlines are followed.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering is needed
- A Professional Engineer (PE) Certification will be an edge
- A minimum of X years of experience will be added advantage
- Engineering design software experience, such as AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, and Solidworks.
- A thorough understanding of maritime software, including HMI and PLC control systems, will be important.
- Knowledge of maritime HM&E systems and naval construction processes is required
- Hands-on experience with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering techniques is also vital.
Essential Skills
- Good Record-keeping and planned maintenance are essential: The engine room department works together as a team to guarantee that all equipment systems are maintained according to the maintenance schedule. For formal documentation and reporting, precise record-keeping of numerous aspects is required.
- The ability to operate, maintain, and repair machinery and tools: Marine engineering also trains how to deal with large machinery system maintenance and breakdowns at sea. Even though maritime engineers are capable of doing so, there are times when specialists are needed. In such cases, marine engineers must work with other experts to repair and resolve the issue.
- Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning, determining the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Decision Making and Judgment: To choose the optimal option, consider the relative costs and benefits of a variety of possibilities.
- Ability to solve difficult problems: Identifying and reviewing related facts to design, assess, and execute solutions to complicated situations.
- Good Listening skills: The incumbent must be able to pay close attention to what others are saying, take the time to grasp what they’re saying, ask questions when necessary, and not interrupt at inopportune times.
- Ability to read and understand: In work-related materials, the ability to comprehend written sentences and paragraphs can not be undermined. Therefore, a marine engineer must be able to read and understand appropriately.
- Must be able to communicate effectively: The engineer must be able to convey information effectively to coworkers.
- Good knowledge of physics, and mathematics
- Good Designing skills
- Good teamwork and leadership skills
- You must as well be physically fit and capable of working in difficult situations and inclement weather.
- The ability to make good use of a computer and main software packages is important
How To Become a Marine Engineer
Are you considering Marine Engineering as a profession to venture into, but you don’t know how to go about it? Well, here are a few tips on the steps that lead to your big dreams;
1) Apply for an undergraduate Marine Engineering Program: The first step to take in exploring this as a career is to gather information about several marine engineering degrees. You can explore marine engineering majors at schools and institutions, or you can apply to a maritime academy that specializes in engineering. Some marine engineers have a general engineering degree, but you have to be sure you’re taking courses that are specifically relevant to the field of marine engineering. Also, check with the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology before applying to a program to assure you’ll get a good education.
2) Apply for internships in the field of marine engineering: Apply for internships while completing your undergraduate degree to get a taste of what it feels like to work as a marine engineer. Depending on your interests, you can apply for internships in sectors such as naval architecture or submarine vessels. Energy corporations, design firms, shipbuilding companies, the military, and recreational water travel enterprises like cruise lines or yacht developers will be good options to look for marine engineering internships.
3) Obtain a bachelor’s degree: Earning great grades during your undergraduate studies and finishing your bachelor’s degree in marine engineering will indicate your capacity to succeed as a marine engineer. You’ll mostly take math and science classes as a marine engineering student, which will teach you the principles of naval construction and all forms of engineering.
4) Take your fundamental examinations in engineering: sign up to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE) from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This general engineering exam verifies your ability to apply engineering basics in a practical setting. In the future, the FE will be required to become a licensed engineer.
5) Apply for entry-level positions in maritime engineering: Begin applying for entry-level marine engineer positions where you may obtain hands-on experience. As a marine engineer, your first position will almost certainly be as a junior engineer, where you will be mentored by a licensed senior engineer who will delegate and supervise your engineering work. When looking for your first job as a marine engineer, seek positions that allow you to progress in your field of interest.
6) Become a professional engineer with a license: You can apply to the NCEES to become a licensed professional engineer after four years of experience working in maritime engineering. Note that you must pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in naval architecture and marine disciplines to obtain your license.
7) Obtain more certifications: While the PE certification is the most common type of license for marine engineers, there are other certifications you can obtain to demonstrate your proficiency in various elements of the field. A variety of certificates are available, including:
Standards of Training Certificate and Watchkeeping for Seafarers;
Merchant Shipping Builder’s Certificate;
Transportation Worker Identification Credential;
Naval Engineering Certificate.
Where To Work As a Marine Engineer
A marine engineer will have the advantage of working in several spheres such as;
- A Ship and Boatyards;
- Marinas;
- Merchant Navies;
- The offshore oil and gas industries;
- Mineral extracting companies;
- Marine consultancies;
- Marine engineering firms;
- Defense Navies, e.g: The Royal Navy;
- Commercial Marine companies.
Marine Engineer Salary Scale
You must keep in mind that locations are extremely critical in ascertaining the salary scale of a Marine engineer.
In the United States, the typical Marine Engineer’s income is $90,498 per year or $43.51 per hour. People on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10%, earn around $61,000 per year, while the highest 10% earn around $133,000 per year.