Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Additional Information
Duties
Engineers working in the marine industry often do the following tasks:
- Prepare thorough drawings and schematics for the system.
- Assessing maritime equipment and drafting work orders and job descriptions.
- Test maritime machinery and equipment for environmental, operational, and performance factors.
- In charge of designing, testing, installing, and repairing maritime equipment.
- Assure standard compliance by investigating and testing apparatus.
- To ensure that repairs and changes are completed safely and at the lowest possible cost, work with regulatory agencies to coordinate operations.
For engineers, managers, or salespeople who need technical reports, write them up.
Design and construction timelines as well as cost estimates are prepared.
Make sure the job is being done accurately, on time, and within the budget by keeping in touch with the contractors.
The following is characteristic of naval architects:
Determine the size, weight, and speed of a ship by studying design ideas and requirements.
Establish the ship's center of gravity, the appropriate hull shape, and statistics on buoyancy and stability using sectional and waterline curves.
Follow all safety and regulatory requirements when designing the ship's hulls and superstructures.
Make all of the ship's interiors, from machinery and auxiliary equipment to passenger and cargo compartments and ladder wells and elevator shafts, a workable design.
Discuss boiler room equipment, heating and ventilation systems, refrigeration systems, electrical distribution systems, safety systems, steering systems, and propulsion gear with maritime engineers.
Oversee the creation and testing of prototypes with a team of specialists from various fields.
In order to ensure that national and international standards are met, conduct testing of ships in the dock and at sea, and modify designs as necessary.
Knowledge from a wide variety of engineering disciplines is applied to the design and manufacture of water vehicles. Offshore oil rigs, wind turbines, tidal power, and other alternative energy projects may also be handled by marine engineers.
Ship and boat building companies use marine engineers and naval architects to create both big and small vessels, including passenger ships, cargo ships, and inflatable boats and rowboats. Design and testing of ships and equipment for the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard can be done by federal employees.
Education
Students who are interested in pursuing a career as a marine engineer or naval architect in college should take courses in math and science, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Aspiring naval architects may benefit from taking drawing classes, if they are available.
Engineering is the most common college major for those who want to work in this profession. Courses in computer-aided design, fluid mechanics, ship hull strength, and materials mechanics are common in marine engineering and naval architecture degrees. Students often spend some time at sea as part of their degree, getting first-hand experience on board a ship.
State maritime academies have a few marine engineering and naval architecture degrees. As part of their education, students at maritime academies are required to spend time at sea over the summer. Visit the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation to learn more about state maritime academies.
Candidates who graduated from a program accredited by an organization like ABET may have an advantage over those who graduated from non-ABET programs.
Characteristics That Are Very Important
The ability to communicate. When directing a project, marine engineers and naval architects must be able to communicate clearly and clarify difficult ideas.
Ingenuity. To design a ship's systems, marine engineers and naval architects employ operations analysis.
Before the ship is built or launched, they use critical-thinking skills to identify and rectify any flaws.
The ability to communicate effectively with others. A meeting between marine engineers and naval architects and their clients is held to determine the demands of ship systems. Before the project is too far along to consider a redesign, engineers must meet with the customer to go through the current status.
The ability to do math. The concepts of calculus, trigonometry, and other complex mathematical disciplines are used by marine engineers and naval architects in their work for analysis, design, and troubleshooting.
The ability to solve problems. Engineers in the marine industry are responsible for designing a ship's many systems to function together. Problem-solving is demanded of naval architects and marine engineers. It's up to them to rely on their experience and expertise to make the best judgments they can.
Registration, Licenses, and Certifications
State maritime academies require their students to pass Coast Guard licensing examinations in addition to getting a bachelor's degree.
A further engineering license that provides for greater leadership and independence is the Professional Engineering (PE) license that may be obtained later in one's career. A licensed engineer is referred to as a "professional engineer" (PEs). It is possible for a PE to supervise the work of others, sign off on projects, and deliver services directly to the public. Licensing by the state is often required.
A diploma from an engineering program that has been certified by ABET.
An acceptable result on the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) examination.
Typically, at least four years of relevant job experience is required.
Professional Engineering (PE) test passing score.
After receiving a bachelor's degree, one can sit for the first FE test. It is typical to refer to engineers who have passed this test as either engineer interns or engineers in training (EITs) (EIs). The second test for EITs and EIs, called Principles and Practice of Engineering, can be taken after satisfying the work experience criteria (PE).
Pay
In May 2020, the average annual salary for marine engineers and naval architects was $95,440, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are two extremes of earnings in each given occupation: those earning more than the median and those earning less. Between the lowest 10% and the highest 10% of earners, there was a wide range of incomes.
Job Projections
Slower than the average for all occupations, employment of marine engineers and naval architects is expected to expand by 4% between 2020 and 2030.