Marine Engineer

Marine engineers are involved in designing, building, operating and maintaining the main engines and other equipment and machinery used in ships and in subsea and offshore installations. They need a wide knowledge and understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems.

Seagoing marine engineers are responsible for all engines, equipment and machinery while the vessels are at sea.

The Work

You could be:

• working on the engines, equipment and machinery used in ships such as cruise liners, tankers, container vessels, ferries, warships and the vessels and platforms used in the offshore oil and gas industry


• working with naval architects to decide on the type of power and control systems that vessels need


• designing, constructing and maintaining vessels’ main and auxiliary engines


• working on other systems, such as heating and ventilating, pumping and electrical generation and supply


• designing, constructing and maintaining ship navigation and communication equipment


• ensuring that equipment meets international standards on health and safety, the environment and pollution
• preparing emergency plans in case of the failure or breakdown of vessels’ machinery


• ensuring that safety precautions for the crew, passengers and cargo are effective


• specialising in research, ship repair and maintenance, production technology, equipment specification or planning and organisation.

Conditions

• Working conditions vary greatly, depending on whether you work in an office, a design laboratory, a workshop, a construction yard or at sea.


• If you are in a workshop or construction yard, or at sea, conditions can be noisy and dirty.
• You may have to wear overalls or a uniform, together with protective headgear, footwear and glasses.


• You may have to work shifts or to be on call for emergencies.


• If you are a seagoing marine engineer, you may be away from home for long periods of time. You would live on board with other crew members.
• At sea, you would have to work in all kinds of weather conditions - it could be very hot, very cold, very wet and the sea might be rough.

Getting In

• You would normally take a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in marine engineering or technology or mechanical engineering. Other subjects such as offshore engineering, ocean engineering or naval architecture may also be acceptable. Qualifications in other engineering subjects such as electrical and electronic engineering or systems and control engineering, followed by a relevant postgraduate course, may also give entry.


• The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology website has details of accredited courses.


• For entry to an HNC or HND course you would need 1-2 Highers plus some Standard grades. For a degree course you need 3-5 Highers including Maths and Physics or Technological Studies.


• If you are interested in a career at sea, you could train by becoming a trainee engineer with the Merchant Navy or the Royal Navy. (See the Job Profiles ‘Merchant Navy Engineering Officer’ and ‘Royal Navy Officer’.)
• You should be fit, as the work can be physically demanding. To work at sea you may have to pass fitness and medical tests.


• Certain colour vision conditions may affect entry to careers in this branch of engineering.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• an interest and ability in science and technology


• a liking for the sea


• a creative approach to solving problems


• good maths, IT and computer aided design (CAD) skills


• a strong sense of responsibility and health and safety awareness.

• handle complex information


• plan and organise programmes of work


• work to timetables, deadlines and within budgets


• work on your own and also as part of a team, motivating others


• react quickly to emergencies and remain calm under pressure.

Training

• After gaining your HNC, HND or degree and some further training with an employer, you can register with the Engineering Council as a professional engineer - either Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).


• For IEng you need to have either a recognised Bachelors degree or a recognised HNC or HND plus further study to Bachelors degree level.


• For CEng you need to have a recognised Bachelors degree with Honours plus a recognised Masters degree (or equivalent), or a recognised integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.


• If you do not have any of the above qualifications, you may still be able to achieve IEng or CEng by other approved routes. You can check these alternative routes with the Engineering Council or with the appropriate professional engineering institution.


• You must be willing to keep up to date with new technology and commit to continued professional development (CPD) all through your career.

Getting On

• Marine engineers who first qualify as IEng can progress to CEng after further training and experience. This can open up a wider range of opportunities.


• You might specialise in project management or research and development.


• You may move into marketing or sales or general management, or into teaching and academic research in colleges and universities.
• You might become a marine surveyor, surveying and valuing vessels for insurance purposes.
• Some highly qualified engineers become consultants offering specialist engineering services.


• There can be opportunities to work abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

• The Engineering Council sets and maintains the standards of the engineering profession in the UK. It does so through 36 professional engineering institutions which are Licensed Members of the Engineering Council.
• The Enginuity website has more information at http://www.enginuity.org.uk/

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.