Occupation · SOC 53-5031
Ship Engineers
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Median wage
$101,320
$56,620–$162,370
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
8,580
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingActive ListeningMonitoring
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyPublic Safety and SecurityTransportation
Technology & tools
Operating system softwareHelpdesk or call center softwareFacilities management softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareEnterprise application integration software
Representative tasks
Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Engine and machinery gauges — read and record indicator readings under direct supervision while a vessel is underway in coastal waters.Lifesaving equipment inventory — inspect and document availability according to a provided checklist under officer guidance aboard a commercial vessel.Engine start-up procedures — follow established protocols to start propulsion engines under close supervision before departure from port.Emergency drill participation — attend and follow assigned roles during required safety drills under the direction of senior engineering staff.Basic marine maintenance tasks — assist with routine repairs such as sealing minor leaks or refueling under the guidance of a licensed ship engineer.Mechanical and electrical components — support maintenance of pumps, winches, and motors by supplying tools and materials to experienced crew members.Engineering logbooks — complete standardized entries for daily machine operations and activities using vessel-provided templates under supervision.Equipment malfunction indicators — recognize and report abnormal readings or unusual sounds to senior engineering staff during routine watch duties.Technical manuals and safety bulletins — read and summarize key procedures relevant to assigned tasks aboard a medium-tonnage commercial vessel.Basic troubleshooting steps — apply a guided checklist to isolate common equipment faults under the direct instruction of a licensed engineer.
developing
Engine and auxiliary machinery indicators — monitor and interpret gauge readings independently during underway watches, escalating anomalies to the watch officer on a commercial cargo vessel.International pollution prevention regulations — verify the availability and condition of pollution preventatives and lifesaving equipment against MARPOL and SOLAS requirements with minimal supervisory review.Propulsion engine controls — start, regulate, and adjust engine speed and power transmission settings in response to bridge commands during routine voyages.Mechanical fault identification — conduct systematic operational tests on engines and auxiliary systems to identify malfunction causes and document findings in maintenance records.Emergency preparedness — lead an assigned station during emergency drills and brief junior crew members on correct procedures aboard a vessel with mixed experience crew.Marine vessel maintenance — perform general upkeep tasks such as interior finishing, deck maintenance, and fuel transfers with limited oversight on scheduled maintenance cycles.Motor and pump repair — diagnose and repair electric motors, centrifugal pumps, and related mechanical equipment using standard tools and manufacturer service manuals.Engineering department records — maintain accurate and up-to-date logs of machinery operations, repair activities, and consumable usage in the vessel's electronic recordkeeping system.Troubleshooting electrical faults — apply systematic diagnostic reasoning to identify root causes of electrical system failures on vessel auxiliary systems without constant direction.Crew communication — relay technical findings and equipment status clearly to bridge officers and fellow engineers using precise maritime terminology during watch handovers.
proficient
Propulsion and auxiliary systems — autonomously monitor, test, and optimize engine and equipment performance across the full engineering plant of a deep-sea or inland commercial vessel.Complex malfunction diagnosis — apply systems analysis and deductive reasoning to identify and resolve non-routine mechanical and electrical failures under time pressure at sea.Regulatory compliance oversight — independently verify that all lifesaving, firefighting, and pollution prevention equipment meets current international maritime regulations during scheduled audits.Engine speed and power management — make real-time control decisions for propulsion systems in response to changing navigational demands, adverse weather, or emergency conditions.Emergency response leadership — coordinate engineering department response during actual emergencies, applying judgment to prioritize actions that protect crew, cargo, and vessel integrity.Comprehensive maintenance planning — plan, schedule, and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programs for all mechanical and electrical shipboard systems to minimize unscheduled downtime.Advanced repair execution — diagnose and repair complex failures in winches, steering gear, refrigeration systems, and high-voltage electrical equipment using specialized tools and technical schematics.Engineering recordkeeping and reporting — produce detailed engineering department reports, maintenance histories, and regulatory documentation that meet port state control inspection standards.Quality control of shipboard systems — conduct systematic inspections and performance analyses of machinery to verify output meets classification society and flag state technical standards.Cross-functional problem solving — collaborate with deck officers, cargo personnel, and shore-side technical teams to resolve engineering issues that affect vessel operations or schedule.
advanced
Engineering department strategy — set maintenance philosophies, resource allocation priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives for the entire engineering department of a fleet or large vessel.Regulatory and safety governance — develop and enforce shipboard safety management system procedures aligned with ISM Code, SOLAS, and MARPOL requirements across all engineering functions.Chief engineer mentorship — coach, evaluate, and develop junior and mid-level engineers, establishing structured on-the-job training programs that build technical competence across the department.Fleet-wide machinery performance — analyze operational data from multiple vessels to identify systemic equipment performance trends and recommend capital maintenance or upgrade investments to management.Emergency contingency planning — design and lead complex emergency response exercises, review post-drill outcomes, and update engineering emergency procedures based on lessons learned.Vendor and dry-dock management — lead negotiations and technical oversight for shipyard repairs, classification renewals, and major overhauls, ensuring work quality meets classification society standards.Technology adoption leadership — evaluate and champion the integration of new propulsion technologies, monitoring software, and automation systems into existing vessel engineering operations.Budget and resource stewardship — develop and manage multi-year engineering maintenance budgets, balancing operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency for vessel owners or operators.Incident investigation authority — lead formal root-cause investigations into engineering-related casualties or near-misses, producing findings and corrective action plans for flag state and company review.Organizational knowledge transfer — create and maintain engineering department standard operating procedures, technical libraries, and competency frameworks that preserve institutional knowledge across crew rotations.
Also known as
129 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
LDO - Nuclear Power (Navy 620)Fire Marshall (Navy 9309)Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Operator (Navy 003777)Ship Engines Operating EngineerMCM Propulsion Technician (Navy U23A)Lockheed Martin (LM) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Core Crew Mission Specialist (Navy 777B)Ship's Electrical Officer (Navy 9353)LSD 41/49 Class Colt Pielstick Maintainer (Navy U24A)EngineerShip's Engineer Officer (General) (Navy 9362)LDO - Engineering/Repair, Surface (Navy 613)LCAC Craft Engineer/Assistant Operator (Navy 800E)Equipment Operating EngineerSmall Boat EngineerOperating EngineerMaritime EngineerAuxiliary Equipment Technician (Navy 001519)General Dynamics (GD) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Core Crew Mission Specialist (Navy 721B)CG 47 Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician (Navy U03A)Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Supervisor (Navy 003785)Diesel Engine Systems Maintainer (Navy 003653)Surface Propulsion Plant Electrical Operator (Navy 003778)Steam Plant Auxiliary Systems Manager (Navy 003651)LSD-41 Class Propulsion Technician (Navy U25A)Machinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy 003156)Marine MechanicCWO - Engineering Technician, Surface (Navy 713)LSD-41/49 Class Advanced Engineering Control System (AECS-MCS) Maintenance Technician (Navy U44A)DDG-51 FLT I-II Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy U06A)Auxiliary Equipment Operator (Navy 001524)Ship EngineerNAMTS Gas Turbine Repair Technician (Navy U08A)CG 47/LHD-1 Electrical Component Maintenance Technician (Navy U38A)Barge EngineerDiesel Engine Systems Technician (Navy 003179)Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) (Navy GSM)Main Engine Officer (General) (Navy 9378)CVN Propulsion Plant Non-Nuclear Engineer (Navy U74Z)MM-Machinist's Mate (Navy MM)LHA -6 (AMERICA)/LHD -8 (MAKIN ISLAND) Class Ship Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy U63A)