Marine engineers are required to design, construct, and maintain marine systems and equipment of ships. They select suitable machinery for ship construction and ensure that all systems including electricity, hydraulics, propulsion, fuel, power, and air purification run efficiently. They team up with naval architects and offshore workers and supervise the work of other people such as mechanics and technicians.

Marine engineers usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Examining ships.
• Ensuring instruments work safely.
• Repairing underwater craft.
• Designing equipment.
• Maintaining offshore platforms.

• Having IT skills.
• Being able to work alone or with a team.
• Having awareness of safety procedures.
• Being a good negotiator.
• Having math skills.
• Having leadership skills.
• Being physically fit.
• Being adaptable and flexible.
• Having problem solving skills.
• Being able to interpret data.

Marine area require candidates having a degree, Higher National Diploma, or Higher National Certificate in subjects like marine technology, offshore engineering, general engineering, naval engineering or marine engineering. These courses require three A levels/four H grades and five GCSE´s/S grades (A-C/1-3) including science, math or equivalent subjects.

Technicians working on this area can apply to apprenticeship schemes in order to become marine engineers. Another route for people who want to work on this industry is becoming trainee engineers with the Merchant Navy or the Royal Navy.