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Merchant Navy engineering officers maintain the mechanical and electrical machinery and instruments on board a ship.
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
There will be
2.9% more Merchant Navy engineering officer jobs in 2027.
In your local area
On a typical day you'll:
As you move up through the ranks to senior engineer you'll also supervise a team of engineers.
You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.
You could work on a ship.
Your working environment may be cramped, at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
You can get into this job through:
You could enter the Merchant Navy as an engine room rating. You would do a maritime electrical and mechanical intermediate apprenticeship.
You can find information on shipping companies that offer engine room rating apprenticeships from Careers at Sea.
You can apply for funding to take further training to qualify as an officer after completing your apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
You can apply to sponsoring shipping or engineering companies to train as an engineering officer.
You will do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in marine or mechanical engineering. Your training will also include the Certificate of Competency, which you need to work at sea.
Your teaching and living costs will be funded through a bursary and while you're on placements at sea you'll get paid.
You'll normally need:
If you've worked as a mechanical engineer elsewhere, for example in the fishing industry or the Royal Navy, you may be exempt from some of the training to become an engineer. You'll still need to find a company to sponsor you.
You'll need to:
You can find out more about becoming a Merchant Navy engineering officer from Careers At Sea and Merchant Navy Training Board.
With experience, you could work your way up to third, second and then senior engineer before taking on the role of chief engineer. You could also work towards chartered status with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
If you decide to work onshore you could move into management, ship surveying, lecturing or research.