CareerGPS

Marine Engineers
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
52 56 4 6.87% 1 3 4 $65.19 $135,592 Bachelor's degree
Description: Design, develop, and take responsibility for the installation of ship machinery and related equipment including propulsion machines and power supply systems.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics.
  • Inspect marine equipment and machinery to draw up work requests and job specifications.
  • Conduct analytical, environmental, operational, or performance studies to develop designs for products, such as marine engines, equipment, and structures.
  • Design and oversee testing, installation, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment.
  • Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.
  • Investigate and observe tests on machinery and equipment for compliance with standards.
  • Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost, consistent with safety.
  • Conduct environmental, operational, or performance tests on marine machinery and equipment.
  • Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.
  • Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
  • Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.
  • Analyze data to determine feasibility of product proposals.
  • Determine conditions under which tests are to be conducted, as well as sequences and phases of test operations.
  • Procure materials needed to repair marine equipment and machinery.
  • Confer with research personnel to clarify or resolve problems and to develop or modify designs.
  • Review work requests and compare them with previous work completed on ships to ensure that costs are economically sound.

Knowledge

89%
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
80%
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
78%
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
74%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
73%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
73%
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
69%
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
68%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
63%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
56%
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
56%
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
55%
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
51%
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
50%
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
50%
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Skills

78%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
72%
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
72%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
69%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
65%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
65%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
62%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
62%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
62%
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
60%
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
60%
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
60%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
60%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
56%
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
56%
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
56%
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
53%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
50%
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
50%
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
50%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Abilities

78%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
75%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
75%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
75%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
72%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
72%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
69%
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
69%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
69%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
69%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
69%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
62%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
62%
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
60%
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
60%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
56%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
56%
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
53%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
53%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
50%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
50%
Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Work Activities

87%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
81%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
79%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
79%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
77%
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
76%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
75%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
75%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
75%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
75%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
74%
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
73%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
73%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
72%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
72%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
71%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
71%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
70%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
69%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
68%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
67%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
62%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
61%
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
61%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
58%
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
58%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
57%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
56%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
56%
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
54%
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Overall Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Styles

Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.