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.

Also called: Marine Architect, Marine Design Engineer, Marine Engineer, Marine Engineering Consultant, Marine Structural Designer, Marine Surveyor, Naval Architect, Naval Architect Specialist, Ship Equipment Engineer, Structural Engineer, Architect Specialist, Automation Engineer, Boat Designer, Consulting Marine Engineer, Engineer, Engineering Specialist, Marine Civil Engineer, Marine Consultant, Marine Equipment Design Engineer, Marine Equipment Engineer, Marine Equipment Research Engineer, Marine Equipment Test Engineer, Marine Service Engineer, Naval Engineer, Naval Marine Engineer, Navigation Engineer, Piping Designer, Project Engineer, Propulsion Machinery Service Engineer, Ship Surveyor, Structural Designer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.
Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.
Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics.

Skills, machines and equipment

Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Mathematics
Science
Active Learning
Operations Monitoring
Time Management

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.63% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

99,250–137,690 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2121.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.63% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects