Hiring Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

What do marine engineers and naval architects do?

• Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
• Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties.
• Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
• Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
• 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.
• Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 17-2121.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Autodesk AutoCAD, MAYA Nastran, McNeel Rhinoceros 3D, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint for this role.

What do marine engineers and naval architects get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for marine engineers and naval architects in 12 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $103,170 to $159,700 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $128,610. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 17-2121.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for marine engineers and naval architects in this build is $159,700. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $31,940 to $47,910 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a marine engineers and naval architects search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.