Merchant Navy engineering officer
Merchant Navy engineering officers maintain the mechanical and electrical machinery and instruments on board a ship.
Also known as: Chief engineer, first engineer, electro-technical officer
- Starter salary£30,000 a year
- Experienced£80,000 a year
What you'll do
As a Merchant Navy engineering officer, you'll:
- inspect and test electrical, mechanical and hydraulic equipment
- read engineering diagrams to carry out maintenance
- respond to equipment failure and repair faults
- maintain fuel levels and stocks of spare parts
- monitor control systems for propulsion, communications and navigation
- update record management systems
As you move up through the ranks to a senior engineering post, you'll also supervise a team of engineers.
Working environment
Your working environment may be cramped, at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- problem-solving skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- leadership and management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a merchant Navy engineering officer
You can get into this job through:
- a sponsored university course
- an apprenticeship
- direct application
- a pre-cadetship course
University
You can start your career as a Merchant Navy officer cadet (engineering or electro-technical) on an industry sponsored course at a maritime college or university.
You can choose a course that suits your needs from a foundation degree, higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND), up to a degree.
Subjects include:
- marine engineering
- marine electrical and electronic engineering
Courses can last up to 3 years and include 8 months of onboard practical training spread over 5 phases. Phases 2 and 4 are spent at sea.
Alongside an academic qualification, you will get a professional qualification known as an unlimited Certificate of Competency . This is internationally recognised and allows you to work on ships anywhere in the world.
You will need to apply directly to a sponsoring company to do an engineer cadetship. Your course costs will be funded by your sponsor and you will receive a bursary payment throughout your training.
Entry requirements for academic courses vary. Sponsoring companies may also have their own entry requirements beyond those needed for the courses themselves.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do a Small Vessel Chief Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship , with a maritime company involved in the development of this apprenticeship.
This can take around 4 years to complete and applies to vessels up to 3,000 gross tonnage.
With experience and further training, you may be able to work as an engineer on larger ships.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Direct application
If you have worked in the Royal Navy, or are an experienced Merchant Navy engineering rating, you may be able to apply directly for jobs.
Details of the conversion routes from Royal Navy to Merchant Navy can be found in the Royal Navy Memorandums of Understanding.
Other routes
If you do not meet the entry requirements for engineering officer cadet training, you can do a pre-cadetship course at a nautical training college .
This lasts around 1 year and helps prepare you for the application for Merchant Navy deck officer training.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- get a seafarer medical certificate
- hold a Certificate of Competency
Career path and progression
The Merchant Navy has clear progression routes through its ranks from engineering officer of the watch to second engineer and chief engineer.
You could also work towards chartered engineer status through professional development with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
With the skills and experience you've gained, you may find onshore positions with:
- shipping companies
- port authorities
- maritime training providers
- marine engineering companies
- shipping brokers
You could work for UK companies or for shipping operators based overseas.
You can get information and support for moving to onshore careers from the Marine Society.
Career tips
You can learn more about careers at sea through open days and events held by maritime colleges around the country.
Guides for this industry
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