What does a marine engineer do?
Marine engineers are licensed engineers who specialize in designing marine infrastructure. These marine infrastructure or vessels are usually naval ships, sailboats, cruise ships, tankers, or even submarines. Marine engineers draft plans for these vessels. They take into consideration the various sciences involved in building these ships. Marine engineers need to have a good grasp of physics, statistics, and other sciences that they need to craft a vessel. Marine engineers also create designs for controls and other mechanisms. They oversee the building process and ensure that the vessels are working properly.
Marine engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real marine engineer resumes:
- Manage the rig's maintenance and inventory control system through programs RMS & ICS.
- Utilize and maintain GPS, dive beacons, and sonar equipment in order to achieve safe and cost-effective positioning.
- Design and manage installation of engine room and machinery layout, install new sanitation water treatment systems and rework water systems.
- Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
- Serve as a field engineer to trouble shoot piping, HVAC, and electrical systems on repowered vessels.
- Perform inspection of ISO containers for classification society.
- Support shipyard electrician with installation, interpretation and documentation of cabling for various electrical systems.
- Trace numerous ship systems (AFFF, lube oil, watermist, propulsion plant, HVAC, etc . )
- Preform moisture tests and hull soundings.
- Repair and replace plumbing fixtures and piping.
- Authore various procedures for performing 10 CFR 50.59 licensing evaluations.
- Witness periodic tests for IMO tanks and data input results.
- Streamline MSC processes to optimize resources and productivity and to reduce waste.
- Report figures and computations according to API and ASTM regulations and standards.
- Carry out risk analysis by using the tools like HAZOP, FMEA.
Marine engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Marine Engineers are proficient in Marine Engineering, Autocad, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Marine Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Marine Engineering, 26%
Complete responsibility for all Marine Engineering aspects of a floating Semi-Submersible 4800-ton drilling rig.
- Autocad, 8%
Created ship check design folders for all Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) ship modules through AutoCAD and ShipConstructor.
- HVAC, 4%
Served as a field engineer to trouble shoot piping, HVAC, and electrical systems on repowered vessels.
- Diesel Engines, 4%
Operate all main and auxiliary systems including pumps, boilers, Diesel engines, generators, and all associated electrical systems.
- Shipyard, 4%
Involved regulatory organizations and shipyard project teams as needed.
- Perform Routine Maintenance, 4%
Perform routine maintenance on all vessel systems to ensure uninterrupted operation of the ship.
Common skills that a marine engineer uses to do their job include "marine engineering," "autocad," and "hvac." You can find details on the most important marine engineer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a marine engineer to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "marine engineers and naval architects must give clear instructions and explain complex concepts when leading projects." Additionally, a marine engineer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "produce construction drawing packages for contractors in autocad so theycould bid and build communication sites. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling marine engineer duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "marine engineers and naval architects use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." According to a marine engineer resume, here's how marine engineers can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "marble math addition - app that teaches kids math and counting skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of marine engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday marine engineer duties, as "marine engineers must design several systems that work well together in ships." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "participate in contractor selection, supervision and invoice resolution process of contractors. "
The three companies that hire the most marine engineers are:
- Wsp USA Buildings Inc.15 marine engineers jobs
- CACI International9 marine engineers jobs
- Brunswick4 marine engineers jobs
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Compare different marine engineers
Marine engineer vs. Engineering associate
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between marine engineers and engineering associate. For instance, marine engineer responsibilities require skills such as "marine engineering," "autocad," "technical expertise," and "diesel engines." Whereas a engineering associate is skilled in "python," "java," "cad," and "c++." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering associates tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,950. In contrast, marine engineers make the biggest average salary, $107,404, in the technology industry.The education levels that engineering associates earn slightly differ from marine engineers. In particular, engineering associates are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a marine engineer. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Marine engineer vs. Us marine
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, marine engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "marine engineering," "autocad," "hvac," and "technical expertise." Meanwhile, a us marine has duties that require skills in areas such as "professional development," "combat," "maintenance procedures," and "leadership." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Us marines earn lower levels of education than marine engineers in general. They're 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Marine engineer vs. Product development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, marine engineers are more likely to have skills like "marine engineering," "autocad," "technical expertise," and "diesel engines." But a product development engineer is more likely to have skills like "cad," "solidworks," "product development," and "project management."
Product development engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $86,062. Marine engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $107,404.When it comes to education, product development engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to marine engineers. In fact, they're 4.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Marine engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Types of marine engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
