Marine Engineering Technician

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

40 to 42 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Marine Engineering Technician

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You could do a foundation degree in marine engineering or marine technology.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

You could take a course to get some of the skills you'll need in this job. Relevant courses include:

Level 2 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Level 2 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
Level 3 Diploma in Marine Engineering
Level 3 Diploma in Marine Construction and Maintenance

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a marine engineer advanced apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could train as an engineering technician with the Merchant Navy or Royal Navy, then move into the commercial marine industry after you leave.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

maths knowledge
complex problem-solving skills
knowledge of engineering science and technology
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of physics
design skills and knowledge
thinking and reasoning skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

fault-finding and repairing electronic, hydraulic and mechanical equipment on boats and ships
helping to design and develop new marine equipment
providing engineering support on board a dive support vessel
refurbishing older craft with new navigation and communications systems
using underwater craft like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to inspect undersea pipelines
supervising a team of craftspeople in a ship or boatyard
maintaining weapons systems, radar and sonar on board Royal Navy warships

Working Environment

You could work in an office, at a shipyard, at a port, on a ship or underwater.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find more advice about careers in marine engineering from the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and British Marine.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need IT skills and a knowledge of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM).