Marine Engineer
Also advertised as: marine auxiliary systems engineer, marine design engineer, Marine Engineer, marine engineering adviser, marine engineering specialist, marine engineers
Designs, maintains and repairs the propulsion, power and mechanical systems on ships.
What the job involves
Marine engineers keep the engines, generators and mechanical systems on ships and offshore structures running safely. Some roles are shore-based, designing systems or overseeing builds in a shipyard, while others involve time at sea maintaining equipment on board. Either way, the work demands a solid grasp of mechanical and electrical systems under demanding conditions.
Typical responsibilities
- Design or specify marine propulsion and power systems
- Oversee installation and testing during vessel builds
- Carry out maintenance and repair of shipboard machinery
- Diagnose mechanical and electrical faults at sea or in port
- Ensure systems meet maritime safety standards
Common employers
- Shipbuilders
- Royal Navy and defence contractors
- Ferry and shipping operators
- Offshore energy companies
- Ports and harbour authorities
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£26,000 – £33,000 a year
With experience
£40,000 – £60,000 a year
Typical hours
Varies: standard hours ashore, watch-keeping rotas at sea
Working environment
Shipyard, vessel or shore-based office depending on role
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Mechanical and electrical systems knowledge
- Marine engineering standards
- Fault diagnosis
- Technical documentation
- Health and safety compliance
Transferable skills you may already have
- Working in confined, technical spaces
- Practical fault-finding
- Teamwork under pressure
Requirements employers ask for
- Mechanical and electrical systems knowledge
- Marine engineering standards
- Fault diagnosis
- Technical documentation
- Health and safety compliance
- Degree or HND in marine engineering, or relevant seagoing experience with Merchant Navy certification
- Merchant Navy engineering certificates for seagoing positions
- adjust engineering designs
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
- use technical drawing software
- engineering processes
- use maritime English
- mathematics
- perform scientific research
- ensure vessel compliance with regulations
- mechanics of vessels
- mechanics
- technical drawings
- engineering principles
Useful but not essential
- Working in confined, technical spaces
- Practical fault-finding
- Teamwork under pressure
- Chartered Engineer status (IMarEST)
- Merchant Navy Officer of the Watch certificate for seagoing roles
- fishing vessels
- draft design specifications
- perform test run
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
- guidance, navigation and control
- ship related legislative requirements
- survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment
- assess financial viability
Helpful qualifications
- Chartered Engineer status (IMarEST)
- Merchant Navy Officer of the Watch certificate for seagoing roles
Licences and checks
- Merchant Navy engineering certificates for seagoing positions
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Marine Engineer (Degree, Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Mathematics
- Related subject: Physics
- Related subject: Engineering
Where this career can lead
next
Chief Engineer (seagoing)
next
Senior Marine Engineer
next
Fleet Engineering Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Sea-going roles offer travel and tax-free earning periods
- Strong demand in defence and offshore sectors
- Practical, hands-on engineering work
What people find hard
- Time away from home for seagoing positions
- Physically demanding working environments
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a marine engineer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. preferred
- How much does a marine engineer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £26,000 to £33,000 a year, rising towards £60,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Working in confined, technical spaces, Practical fault-finding, Teamwork under pressure.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 16 September 2026.
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