Merchant Navy engineering officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can enter the Merchant Navy as an engine room rating. You will do a Maritime Mechanical and Electrical Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This normally takes around 2 years to complete.

You'll find 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 engineering officer after completing your apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply to sponsoring shipping or engineering companies to train as an engineering officer.

You'll start on a marine engineering cadetship, which combines classroom study with training at sea. You would work towards 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 placement at sea you'll get paid.

You'll normally need:

• GCSE grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English, maths, and a science, preferably physics
• 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications, depending on the level of training you start on

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.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• 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
• persistence and determination
• business management skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• analytical thinking skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• observation and recording skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• concentration skills
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits

What you'll do:

Merchant Navy engineering officers maintain the mechanical and electrical machinery and instruments on board a ship.

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
• update record management systems

As you move up through the ranks to a senior engineering post, you'll also supervise a team of engineers.

Location : You could work on a ship.
Environment : Your working environment may be cramped, at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £27,000
Experienced : £55,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 48 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

With experience and further training, you could work your way up to third then second engineer before taking on the role of chief engineer.

You could also work towards chartered engineer status through professional development with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

You might join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as an engineering officer.

If you decide to work onshore you could move into:

• marine engineering design
• naval architecture
• ship and boatyard management
• research