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Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
Other titles employers use
Marine Architect · Marine Design Engineer · Marine Engineer · Marine Engineering Consultant · Marine Structural Designer · Marine Surveyor · Naval Architect · Naval Architect Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
- Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
- Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
- Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
- Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
- Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Design
- English Language
- Transportation
Useful strengths
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.1 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 53%
- A certificate or some college 26%
- A doctorate or professional degree 11%
- High school or less 5%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Spreadsheet software
- Project management software
- Document management software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,340
- Job openings each year
- 170
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 56.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2,340 | 170 | 56.0% |
| Virginia | 1,110 | 50 | 3.7% |
| Texas | 990 | 60 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 870 | 50 | 16.0% |
| Washington | 590 | 40 | 9.3% |
| Maryland | 450 | 20 | 4.7% |
| District of Columbia | 320 | 10 | −5.9% |
| Maine | 240 | 10 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Alabama | 150 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Louisiana | 120 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 0 | — |
| Tennessee | 50 | 0 | — |
| North Carolina | 20 | 0 | — |
| Ohio | 20 | 0 | — |
| Oregon | 20 | 0 | 100.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 32%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 73
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
United States Naval Academy
- Degrees each year
- 29
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 29
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
United States Coast Guard Academy
- Degrees each year
- 26
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Maine Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 24
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
SUNY Maritime College
- Degrees each year
- 22
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Webb Institute
- Degrees each year
- 22
- Admit rate
- 20%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Compare every college offering naval architecture and marine engineering