---
name: marine-engineer
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'marine engineer' (also: marine engineering specialist, marine engineering consultant, naval engineer, marine engineering adviser, marine systems engineer, marine design engineer). Use when the user asks for typical marine engineer work such as: Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.; Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.; Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems."
---

# Marine Engineer

Marine engineers design, build, maintain and repair the hull, mechanical, electronic equipment and auxiliary systems such as engines, pumps, heating, ventilation, generator sets. They work on all types of boats from pleasure crafts to naval vessels, including submarines.

## Core workflow

1. Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
2. Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
3. Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
4. 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.
5. Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
6. Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
7. Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
8. Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- adjust engineering designs
- approve engineering design
- design prototypes
- engineering principles
- engineering processes
- ensure vessel compliance with regulations
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
- inspect engine rooms
- marine engineering
- maritime electric drives
- mathematics
- mechanics
- mechanics of vessels
- naval architecture
- perform scientific research

## Hot technologies

- Salesforce software
- Microsoft Access
- Oracle Database
- Microsoft Outlook
- SAP software
- Microsoft Office software
- Apple macOS
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Excel


<!-- hot-tech -->

## Hot technologies

Top tools from 38 gated job ads (see references/market.md, as of 2026-07-15):

- AutoCAD — 34 %
- Microsoft Excel — 21 %
- Microsoft Word — 16 %
- Microsoft PowerPoint — 13 %
- Solidworks — 13 %
- Navisworks — 11 %
- PIPE-FLO — 11 %
- Ship Constructor — 11 %
- Fathom — 8 %
- Inventor — 8 %

<!-- hot-tech -->

---
*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/c36fc197-1f5b-4563-acd8-6f1d06aa1c03), O*NET 30.3 (53-5031.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*