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Marine Engineer

Marine engineers design and maintain the machines that power ships and boats. They work on engines, fuel systems, power generation and other equipment that keeps a vessel safe and running smoothly at sea. It's hands-on engineering that takes you out on the water or into engine rooms all over the world.

Marine Engineer

28

Engineering and Technology

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO28%moving to70%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £40,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Marine EngineerAs a Junior Marine Engineer, you will assist in the design and maintenance of marine systems under the supervision of senior engineers. This role is ideal for recent graduates looking to gain hands-on experience in the industry.£30,000 - £40,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Marine EngineerIn this role, you will take on more complex projects, leading design efforts and collaborating with other engineering disciplines. You will be responsible for ensuring that projects meet technical specifications and regulatory requirements.£50,000 - £70,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Marine EngineerAs a Senior Marine Engineer, you will oversee large-scale projects, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovation within your team. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of marine engineering practices.£90,000+

Real apprenticeship standards

Live UK apprenticeship standards that lead into this career, from the Institute for Apprenticeships register.

L3Maritime electrical fitter42 months typicalnot published
L4Small vessel chief engineer48 months typicalnot published
L3Maritime mechanical fitter42 months typicalnot published
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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