According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy. | 84% |
| Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties. | 84% |
| Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft. | 82% |
| Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives. | 82% |
| Oversee construction and testing of prototype in model basin and develop sectional and waterline curves of hull to establish center of gravity, ideal hull form, and buoyancy and stability data. | 81% |
| Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards. | 81% |
| Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions. | 80% |
| Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems. | 78% |
| Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators. | 77% |
| Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises. | 75% |
| Act as liaisons between ships' captains and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained, and that ships are operated safely and efficiently. | 75% |
| Inspect marine equipment and machinery to draw up work requests and job specifications. | 73% |
| Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics. | 73% |
| Conduct environmental, operational, or performance tests on marine machinery and equipment. | 73% |
| Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs. | 73% |
| Investigate and observe tests on machinery and equipment for compliance with standards. | 73% |
| Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety. | 71% |
| Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel. | 71% |
| Design and oversee testing, installation, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment. | 71% |
| Schedule machine overhauls and the servicing of electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems. | 70% |
| Procure materials needed to repair marine equipment and machinery. | 70% |
| Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost. | 68% |
| Maintain and coordinate repair of marine machinery and equipment for installation on vessels. | 67% |
| Confer with research personnel to clarify or resolve problems and to develop or modify designs. | 66% |
| Conduct analytical, environmental, operational, or performance studies to develop designs for products, such as marine engines, equipment, and structures. | 66% |
| Determine conditions under which tests are to be conducted, as well as sequences and phases of test operations. | 66% |
| Review work requests and compare them with previous work completed on ships to ensure that costs are economically sound. | 64% |
| Analyze data to determine feasibility of product proposals. | 62% |
