Marine engineer
Set sail on a career with endless possibilities as we dive into the world of Marine Engineering! This month, we’re celebrating ‘National Marine Week’, a time dedicated to appreciating the incredible life, power, and potential of our oceans. And what better way to honour it than by exploring a career that puts you at the heart of it all? From designing ships and submarines to helping drive innovation in eco-friendly marine tech, Marine Engineers play a vital role in shaping how we explore and protect the seas.
‘Sea’ yourself in this role?
Job Description
Salary (Avg.) £36,000
Master the seas with a career full of adventure and innovation, whilst earning up to £45,000 a year. As a Marine Engineer, you’ll collaborate with Naval Architects to design and build ships, boats, and submarines, helping others experience the ocean’s highs and lows. From repairing vessels and installing engines to testing equipment and fitting safety systems, no two days are the same. You could even take the eco-friendly route and refurbish offshore wind turbines.
Qualifications and Skills
To become a Marine Engineer, you can go through a number of routes:
For those who enjoy the more academic side, you can attend university and work towards gaining a degree in a relevant area of study, such as:
- marine engineering
- marine technology
- naval architecture
- offshore engineering
For those ready to set sail straight away, an apprenticeship could be the perfect route. Through a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with an engineering company, you’ll gain all the essential skills and knowledge for the role – all while gaining hands-on experience in the real world.
Apprenticeships available in this field include:
• Marine Engineer
• Maritime Mechanical Fitter
• Maritime Electrical Fitter
• Marine Electrician
These programmes typically take 3 to 4 years to complete and offer a fantastic blend of learning and earning, helping you launch your career with confidence.
What you can be doing now
There are plenty of things you can start today to help you wade through the competition and set yourself up for success. You could join the Sea Cadets to build discipline, leadership skills, and maritime knowledge – valuable traits for a future Marine Engineer. If your school offers it, you could take part in STEM clubs to grow your problem-solving skills and get your sea legs when it comes to tackling engineering challenges. Fuel your curiosity by diving into documentaries on marine tech or contact engineering companies to shadow the experts and get a glimpse of real-world marine careers.
Ready to make waves in the world of Marine Engineering?
