About This Career

Designs, develops, and evaluates the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Engineering and Technology pathway.

A person in this career:

• Designs complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
• Supervises other engineers and crew members and trains them for routine and emergency duties.
• Studies design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
• Performs monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
• Oversees construction and testing of prototype in model basin and develops sectional and waterline curves of hull to establish center of gravity, ideal hull form, and buoyancy and stability data.
• Evaluates performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.
• Prepares plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.
• Checks, tests, and maintains automatic controls and alarm systems.
• Designs layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.
• Evaluates operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Overnight travel