What skills does a marine engineer need?

A marine engineer needs 19 essential skills including marine engineering, engineering principles, mechanics of vessels, maritime electric drives, mathematics. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace marine engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for marine engineer is 71/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2144

marine engineer

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.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (19)

marine engineeringmarine engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, operation and maintenance of watercraft propulsion and on-board systems. It also addresses the design and construction of fixed and floating marine ...engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.mechanics of vesselsmechanics of vesselsThe mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.maritime electric drivesmaritime electric drivesThe technology used to convert electrical energy from a battery or power system into mechanical energy, transmitting the force generated into motion. In the maritime sector, electrical energy is used ...mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.naval architecturenaval architectureThe design of sea vessels, the form and stability of hulls. It also deals with the design of offshore structures of all kinds whether commercial or military.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.inspect engine roomsinspect engine roomsInspect engine rooms to detect the presence of any hazardous materials, and to ensure legal compliance. Inspect the construction of the rooms, the functionality of equipment, the adequacy of room vent...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.re-assemble enginesre-assemble enginesRe-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans.ensure vessel compliance with regulationsensure vessel compliance with regulationsInspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.use tools for construction and repairuse tools for construction and repairConstruct and repair ships and equipment using hand tools, machine tools, and measuring instruments. Safely carry out emergency or temporary repairs. Take measures to ensure a safe working environment...approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

Optional (52)

solar energysolar energyThe energy which originates from light and heat from the sun, and which can be harnessed and used as a renewable source of energy using different technologies, such as photovoltaics (PV) for electrici...ship related legislative requirementsship related legislative requirementsConventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning safety of life at sea, security and protection of the marine environment.material mechanicsmaterial mechanicsThe behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.chemical productschemical productsThe offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.precision mechanicsprecision mechanicsPrecision or fine mechanics is a subdiscipline in engineering that focuses on the design and development of smaller precision machines.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.vessel fuelsvessel fuelsThe characteristics and properties of vessel fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.sensorssensorsSensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sen...composite materialscomposite materialsThe properties of different materials developped in a laboratory, their usage per type of products, and how to create them.assessment of risks and threatsassessment of risks and threatsThe security documentation and any security-related communications and information.CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.battery chemistrybattery chemistryThe different battery types according to the representative chemical components used in the anode or the cathode such as zinc-carbon, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, or lithium-ion.battery componentsbattery componentsThe physical components, such as wiring, electronics and voltaic cells that can be found in batteries. The components vary according to size and type of battery.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.cloud technologiescloud technologiesThe technologies which enable access to hardware, software, data and services through remote servers and software networks irrespective of their location and architecture.unstructured dataunstructured dataThe information that is not arranged in a pre-defined manner or does not have a pre-defined data model and is difficult to understand and find patterns in without using techniques such as data mining.mechatronicsmechatronicsMultidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the ...Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety SystemThe internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.marine technologymarine technologyTechnologies for the safe use, exploitation, protection of, and intervention in the marine environment.automation technologyautomation technologySet of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.conduct energy auditconduct energy auditAnalyse and evaluate the energy consumption in a systematic manner in order to improve the energy performance.manage the operation of propulsion plant machinerymanage the operation of propulsion plant machineryManage the operative mechanism of the marine diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, and steam boilers.promote sustainable energypromote sustainable energyPromote the use of renewable electricity and heat generation sources to organisations and individuals, in order to work towards a sustainable future and encourage sales of renewable energy equipment, ...repair enginesrepair enginesRepair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.lead a team in fishery serviceslead a team in fishery servicesDirect a fishery or aquaculture team and guide them towards the common goal of completing a variety of fishery related assignments or tasks.maintain shipboard machinerymaintain shipboard machineryTake care of the repair and maintenance of shipboard machinery, including the safe isolation of such machinery or equipment before personnel are permitted to work on it. Dismantle, adjust and reassemb...operate marine machinery systemsoperate marine machinery systemsOperate principles of marine machinery, including marine diesel engine, steam turbine, boiler, shafting installations, propeller, various auxiliaries, steering gear, automatic control systems, and dec...manage engine-room resourcesmanage engine-room resourcesAllocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.lubricate engineslubricate enginesApply motor oil to engines to lubricate internal combustion engines in order to reduce wear, to clean and to cool the engine.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...perform small vessel safety measuresperform small vessel safety measuresOrganise and monitor safety, applying the regulations for risk prevention at work. Organise and manage emergency operations such as flooding, abandoning ship, survival at sea, search and rescue of shi...install mechatronic equipmentinstall mechatronic equipmentInstall equipment used for the automation of a specific machine or device.create technical planscreate technical plansCreate detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.analyse stress resistance of productsanalyse stress resistance of productsAnalyse the ability of products to endure stress imposed by temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors, by using mathematical formulas and computer simulations.perform small vessel safety proceduresperform small vessel safety proceduresImplement emergency measures of health care to sick and injured on board, according to established procedures to minimise potential injuries or illnesses.prevent sea pollutionprevent sea pollutionOrganize and monitor environment protection applying the regulations for pollution prevention at sea.test mechatronic unitstest mechatronic unitsTest mechatronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.maintain robotic equipmentmaintain robotic equipmentDiagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing rob...use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.install automation componentsinstall automation componentsInstall the automation components according to the specifications of the circuit diagram.analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.simulate mechatronic design conceptssimulate mechatronic design conceptsSimulate mechatronic design concepts through creating mechanical models and performing tolerance analysis.draft design specificationsdraft design specificationsList the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.promote innovative infrastructure designpromote innovative infrastructure designThroughout the coordination of an engineering project, promote the development of infrastructure that is innovative and sustainable, in line with the latest developments in the field.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.maintain electronic equipmentmaintain electronic equipmentCheck and repair electronic equipment. Develop maintenance tasks on electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.disassemble enginesdisassemble enginesDisassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.assemble mechatronic unitsassemble mechatronic unitsAssemble mechatronic units using mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, and information technology systems and components. Manipulate and attach metals through using welding and sol...maintain safe engineering watchesmaintain safe engineering watchesObserve principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance of...operate ship propulsion systemoperate ship propulsion systemPerform start-up and subsequent observation of the working parameters of the ship's propulsion system. Check the operating parameters of electric generators in the switchboard, power sources and elect...