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Marine engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. David Singer Ph.D.,
Vincent Xiaochuan Yu Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical marine engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for marine engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 26.4% of marine engineer resumes contained marine engineering as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a marine engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 marine engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Marine Engineering

Here's how marine engineers use marine engineering:
  • Complete responsibility for all Marine Engineering aspects of a floating Semi-Submersible 4800-ton drilling rig.
  • Approved by Transport Canada to develop and present curriculum for basic marine engineering program.

2. Autocad

Here's how marine engineers use autocad:
  • Created ship check design folders for all Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) ship modules through AutoCAD and ShipConstructor.
  • Transferred 3D & 2D projects from AutoCAD and CADDS V into CATIA V5 while navigating UNIX based code system.

3. HVAC

Here's how marine engineers use hvac:
  • Served as a field engineer to trouble shoot piping, HVAC, and electrical systems on repowered vessels.
  • Traced numerous ship systems (AFFF, lube oil, watermist, propulsion plant, HVAC, etc.)

4. Diesel Engines

Diesel engines use an internal combustion technique that burns diesel oil in hot compressed air to propel a machine.

Here's how marine engineers use diesel engines:
  • Operate all main and auxiliary systems including pumps, boilers, Diesel engines, generators, and all associated electrical systems.
  • Experienced in the field of Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, and Motor Turbine Unit diesel engines.

5. Shipyard

A shipyard is a place where water vessels are repaired or built, such as yachts, boats, passenger and cargo ships, cruise liners, and military vessels.

Here's how marine engineers use shipyard:
  • Involved regulatory organizations and shipyard project teams as needed.
  • Installed engines and generators, machinery & equipment in the engine room of the ship when built in the shipyard.

6. Perform Routine Maintenance

Here's how marine engineers use perform routine maintenance:
  • Perform routine maintenance on all vessel systems to ensure uninterrupted operation of the ship.
  • Perform routine maintenance tasks for unsafe or malfunctioning conditions including troubleshooting, evaluating, and recommending system upgrades.

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7. Safety Equipment

Here's how marine engineers use safety equipment:
  • Maintained the safety and environmental regulations on board as well the maintenance of the safety equipment.
  • Serviced and repaired fire pumps and safety equipment.

8. Boats

Here's how marine engineers use boats:
  • Maintained a clean and safe boat by adhering to the rules and regulations of OSHA and the United States Coast Guard.
  • Served as engineer on-board US Coast Guard regulated crew boats for the offshore oil and gas industry.

9. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how marine engineers use technical reports:
  • Developed and issued design packages including functional drawings, pressure drop calculations, technical reports and purchase specifications.
  • Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.

10. USCG

Here's how marine engineers use uscg:
  • Provided general engineering project management support to the USCG Buoy Tender Replacement Project.
  • Define marine design and manufacturing requirements as specified by major class society rules, USCG Regulations and IMO IGF/IGC code.

11. PMS

Here's how marine engineers use pms:
  • Provide technical support to the Amphibious Warfare Program Office (PMS 377) and the Combat System/C4ISR Integration Manager.

12. Fuel Systems

Fuel systems are components in a vehicle that help carry fuel. They are made up of the pump, fuel tank, filter, and injectors. The pump help sent fuel to the fuel tank. The filters remove unwanted debris and injectors create the air and fuel combustion mixture for vehicle energy movement.

Here's how marine engineers use fuel systems:
  • Experience with multiple pipe systems including Hydraulic systems, Waste systems, Fuel Systems, and High Pressure systems.
  • Replenished and monitored shipboard and aircraft fuel systems, water, oil, hydraulic and cooling systems.

13. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how marine engineers use technical support:
  • Provided administrative and technical support to supervisors and technical inspectors during builder's trials and acceptance trials.
  • Organized in advance supplies and overseas technical support requirements.

14. Electrical Systems

Here's how marine engineers use electrical systems:
  • Project to refurbish electrical systems from several US Navy ships undergoing renovations.
  • Service and repair to electrical systems involving facility lighting, vessel lighting, electronics and AC/DC systems.

15. Routine Maintenance

Here's how marine engineers use routine maintenance:
  • Update routine maintenance and emergency procedures.
  • Created maintenance schedule advised management of needed repairs and routine maintenance and directed teams in the execution of repairs.
top-skills

What skills help Marine Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on marine engineer resumes?

Dr. David Singer Ph.D.Dr. David Singer Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Chair, University of Michigan

As someone who has been in the industry and hired young engineers, GPA only matters if it is terrible. The three skills that matter most are the non-academic transferable skills, grade trend, and involvement in the field. You hire a young engineer based on their potential. The real questions are their potential, whether they have the base knowledge and skills needed to exercise their potential, have they demonstrated a passion for the field, and have acquired softer transferable skills such as writing, speaking, and emotional intelligence.

Non-academic transferable skills include volunteer work, leadership activities, teams, etc. Anything outside of class in which they are actively involved would have provided them the experiences needed to achieve personal growth.

However, when I do look at a person's GPA, the question I always ask is, why? Suppose students have a lower GPA because they messed up during their first year but got high grades in their junior and senior years when real naval architecture education occurs. In that case, the trend is good, and their GPA does not correctly reflect their potential. On the other hand, if they did well in their first and second years but did not do well in their junior and senior year, this would raise a red flag. That is an alarming trend.

What soft skills should all marine engineers possess?

Vincent Xiaochuan Yu Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Director & Principal Research Scientist, Laboratory of Applied Offshore Technology, University of New Orleans

Communications and passions to ocean engineering. My suggestion is to actively get involved in some domestic or international conferences or symposiums, like OTC, SNAME Offshore Symposium, OMAE, etc., to meet with professionals from industry and academia.

What hard/technical skills are most important for marine engineers?

Vincent Xiaochuan Yu Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Director & Principal Research Scientist, Laboratory of Applied Offshore Technology, University of New Orleans

Some project experiences focusing on hydrodynamics analysis, hydrostatic analysis, mooring analysis, and design may be useful. So internship may be important for you to know this industry.

What marine engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Alexander Parker PhDAlexander Parker PhD LinkedIn profile

Dean, School of Letters and Sciences, San Francisco State University

There is so much to like about working in the field of marine science. For some, there opportunity for adventure in your work is a real benefit. Some marine scientists visit remote locations as part of their work, including the center of ocean gyres and the poles. Because the field is rapidly changing, there are constant opportunities to learn new things and explore new science questions. While there are many exciting careers for recent graduates with baccalaureate degrees, mid career scientists will likely need specialized training from graduate school or other training programs.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about marine engineer

List of marine engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a marine engineer resume and required skills for a marine engineer to have include:

  • Marine Engineering
  • Autocad
  • HVAC
  • Diesel Engines
  • Shipyard
  • Perform Routine Maintenance
  • Safety Equipment
  • Boats
  • Technical Reports
  • USCG
  • PMS
  • Fuel Systems
  • Technical Support
  • Electrical Systems
  • Routine Maintenance
  • Engineering Support
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Deck Machinery
  • Hydraulic Systems
  • Engine Room Equipment
  • ABS
  • Dry Docking
  • Air Compressors
  • US Coast Guard
  • Diesel Generators
  • Mechanical Systems
  • LCS
  • ISO
  • SEA Trials
  • Fuel Oil
  • Rig
  • Mechanical Equipment
  • Gas Turbines
  • Control Systems
  • International Regulations
  • Caterpillar
  • Firefighting
  • Ferries
  • Control Room
  • Reinforced Concrete
  • Log Book
  • LNG

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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