Naval Architect and Marine Engineer

Alternate Titles

Ocean engineer.

Brief Job Description

Naval architects and marine engineers support the design, building, and operation of boats, ships, floating and fixed ocean platforms, and mooring systems.  In the marine energy field, these engineers help design and operate wave, tidal, ocean, offshore wind turbines, and other ocean-based technologies.

Education and Training Level Description

Naval architecture and marine engineering (NAME) jobs typically require a degree in engineering from a college that offers coursework in the marine field. Marine energy employers may prefer to hire candidates with experience or coursework in renewable energies. While in an undergraduate program, NAME students can gain renewable energy and hands-on experience working at sea through internships or cooperative-education programs. To be hired into formal engineering roles, naval architects and marine engineers generally need to acquire a Fundamentals of Engineering license by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. 

With a Fundamentals of Engineering license and 4 or more years of work experience, naval architects and marine engineers can take a test to acquire a Professional Engineer license. Naval architects and marine engineers with a Professional Engineer license can be a technical specialist within the NAME discipline, oversee other engineers, develop designs and specifications, and oversee construction activities. An advanced degree, additional work experience, and a Professional Engineer license can lead to career advancement as well as job opportunities in the research and development sector, training and education field, and management field.

Job Profile

Naval architects and marine engineers support the design, building, operation, and maintenance of boats, ships, floating and fixed ocean platforms, and mooring systems. They are responsible for designing and maintaining a ship’s or vessel’s internal systems, such as the propulsion, electrical, cooling, and steering systems. In the marine energy field, these engineers work on designing and building wave, tidal, ocean, river current energy technologies, offshore wind turbines, oil rigs, and floating solar power. The scale of their projects ranges from large-scale projects that deliver energy to the electric grid to small-scale projects that provide energy to off-grid, remote consumers. Naval architects and marine engineers work along the coast—both offshore and on land. 

Naval architects tend to have expertise in:

• Structural stability, including static, dynamic, and damage conditions, of marine structures
• Hull strength and major foundations of marine structures
• Designing and arranging machinery, berthing, and cargo compartments of marine structures
• Components, such as propellers, thrusters, and propulsors, that ships and vessels use to move in the water.

Marine engineers tend to have expertise in:

• Designing and selecting the propulsion plant that allows ships and vessels to move in the water
• Shafting and propellers
• Specifications of ancillary equipment, such as auxiliary engines, pumps, fans, and heating systems
• Piping, such as the bilge and ballasts, fire fighting, fuel oil, and potable water, systems
• Heating, ventilation, and cooling systems, including piping systems and ductwork.

Naval architects and marine engineers typically:

• Inspect marine equipment and machinery, and draw up work requests and job specifications
• Conduct environmental, operational, or performance tests on marine machinery and equipment
• Design and oversee the testing, installation, and repair of marine equipment
• Investigate and test machinery and equipment to ensure compliance with standards
• Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure that repairs and alterations are done safely and at minimal cost
• Prepare technical reports for use by engineers, managers, or sales personnel
• Prepare cost estimates, contract specifications, and design construction schedules
• Maintain contact with contractors to make sure that the work is being done correctly, on schedule, and within budget
• Present layout and engineering designs to clients and team members for analysis and feedback
• Supervise all aspects of the design process for structural, mechanical, and electrical systems
• Oversee the construction of marine vessels and equipment to ensure their quality and integrity
• Perform quality control inspections and tests on all systems and equipment and install upgrades, as needed
• Ensure adherence to safety precautions and project timelines.

Job Skills

Naval architects and marine engineers typically need:

• Communication skills. Naval architects and marine engineers must give clear instructions and explain complex concepts when leading projects.
• Ingenuity. Naval architects and marine engineers must use operations analysis to create a design that meets the functional requirements and then employ critical-thinking skills to anticipate and correct any deficiencies before the marine structure is built or set out to sea.
• Interpersonal skills. Naval architects and marine engineers meet with clients to analyze their needs for marine structures. Engineers must discuss progress with clients to keep redesign options open before the project is too far along.
• Math skills. Naval architects and marine engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting during their work.
• Problem-solving skills. Naval architects and marine engineers must design several systems that work well together in ships. Naval architects and marine engineers are expected to solve problems for their clients. They must draw on their knowledge and experience to make effective decisions.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on marine engineer jobs, see: 

• Betterteam: Marine Engineer Job Description
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
• Webb Institute: What Is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering?

References

• Betterteam: Marine Engineer Job Description
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Marine Engineers and Naval Architects