1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Marine engineering technician

Marine engineering technician

Alternative titles for this job include Shipbuilding technician

Marine engineering technicians design, build, service and repair boats and ships.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

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

University

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

College

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, Systems Engineering and Maintenance

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Apprenticeship

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

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

More 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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

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

Restrictions and Requirements

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • diagnose faults and repair on board electronic, hydraulic and mechanical equipment
  • help to design and develop new marine equipment
  • provide engineering support on board a dive support vessel
  • refurbish older craft with new navigation and communications systems
  • use remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) to inspect undersea pipelines
  • supervise a team of craftspeople in a ship or boatyard
  • maintain 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 and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a supervisory role or engineering project management work.

You could specialise in a particular area, like boat design, specialist equipment sales and support or marine insurance.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

ATA Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £117.00 Weekly
  • Location: Lowestoft
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Marine Engineering - Advanced Certificate

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 10 January 2022
  • Location: Fleetwood

Diploma in Marine Engineering (Foundation)

  • Provider: TOR BRIDGE HIGH
  • Start date: 02 September 2021
  • Location: Plymouth
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.