Ocean engineers study the world’s ocean environment and apply their knowledge of engineering to analyze its effects on vessels and structures. Ocean engineers are also involved with deep sea exploration and may work to design or operate ocean platforms or sub-surface vehicles. Some will focus on remote sensing, while others work on climate monitoring, environmental protection, oil recovery, underwater vehicle development, or defense. Marine engineers and naval architects are involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of ships, boats, and related equipment. They design and supervise the construction of everything from aircraft carriers to submarines and from sailboats to tankers. Naval architects work on the basic design of ships, including the form and stability of hulls.
What makes it unique?
The need for ocean engineering and naval architecture spans the globe, just as the ocean does! Because the ocean is a large resource, and also facilitates travel, transportation, and helps support the ecosystem of the earth, there are many ways in which ocean engineering impacts the world.
Degree Connections
The following are examples of some accredited degrees leading to a career in ocean engineering:
- Ocean Engineering
- Marine Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Search our global database of accredited engineering programs.
Want to learn more?
Click on the blue tabs to explore the field in more detail, the green tabs to be inspired by people working in ocean engineering and how they impact the world, the orange tabs for ideas on how you can get involved, or the purple tab for activities and lessons.
Explore
A Day in the Life
Image Source: Dann Blackwood, USGS
A day in the life of an ocean or marine engineer can involve many different tasks, from project management, to research, to grant writing, to exploration, to writing reports. Depending on the job they are doing, ocean engineers may work in a traditional office setting, work in the field testing equipment and instrumentation, or be a resident on a research vessel for months at a time. Some specialize in research and discovery and others in designing vehicles and underwater devices working with teams of other engineers. There is often a distinction between the work done on an average day when on land and on sea, as a research experience at sea may range from several weeks to several months.
Those working in naval architecture will be working in offices and on building sites reviewing progress on development of large and small shipping and passenger vessels. They will be incorporating computer work, and understanding of materials and technology related to shipping in their daily work.
Historical Snapshot
Ever wonder how Seafarers crossed the ocean before GPS? Watch this 5 minute video about Early Maritime Navigation by IEEE REACH to learn more.
Industries and Employment
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Career paths for ocean engineers can lead to many industries around the world! Those working in the field may work in the transportation industry which develops ships used for transportation and pleasure both above and below the surface. The aerospace industry employs ocean engineers as part of teams to plan ocean landing platforms for rockets returning to earth. The telecommunications and utilities industries employs ocean engineers to advise on underwater cables and sensing. The power and energy sector is active in looking at wind power based in the ocean, so ocean engineers play an important role for those looking to test and optimize alternate power options. And most government agencies around the globe employ ocean engineers to support a range of initiatives, including coastal zone management, managing harbors, development of undersea vehicles, and acoustic systems.
Examples of employers range from engineering service firms, to government organizations, to large corporations. Some ocean engineers work as consultants and educators, supporting the next generation of engineers. Some industry-specific employers include:
Preparation and Degrees
For most engineering careers:
- a bachelor’s degree is required
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- a master’s degree may be recommended for those specializing or interested in management
- students may also start with a related associate degree and then move on to a bachelor’s when they have settled on a degree path.
- many students are required to participate in a co-op program while at university to gain real world experience in their chosen field.
- education doesn’t really stop…engineers need to stay current as technology changes and materials and processes improve over time.
- many professional societies offer certificates and coursework to support continuing education for their members.
Some organizations, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, for example, offer fellowship programs or opportunities for students to spend a semester doing work in the field. These real-world work experiences can help boost a resume. Some of these preparation programs include time spent at sea. Graduate programs are recommended for those wishing to focus in a particular aspect of ocean engineering which might require additional education.
It is important to select an engineering degree that has been accredited to meet basic standards. Find out more and browse TryEngineering’s global database of accredited engineering and computing programs.
- a bachelor’s degree is required
Be Inspired
Amazing Engineers!
One of the best ways to explore what it might be like to work in ocean engineering is to learn about people currently working in the field.
As an example, Brandy Armstrong (IEEE OES VP Professional Activities, 2020-2021), studies the physical processes of the ocean in her work where she focuses on ocean modeling. She enjoys working with others, and explains that “networking and collaboration are required in ocean engineering because the ocean is connected and spans the entire globe.” She also appreciates that ocean disciplines are also interconnected. She enjoys both developing and testing new inputs, settings and options for ocean models. Read the full interview here.
Another interesting ocean engineer is Hari Vishnu, a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore, Chief Editor of the IEEE OES Earthzine magazine, and visiting Scholar at the Scripps University of Oceanography in San Diego. He studies the physics of underwater sound and how to make sense of sounds recorded underwater. Hear what he says about ocean engineering via the video to the right!
The following links offer more chances to see what people are doing in the field of ocean engineering:
- Langley R. Gace is an ocean engineer at Ocean Spar Technologies, a company develops and sells high performance offshore aquaculture cages to customers worldwide.
- Prof. Jim Miller, of the Department of Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, is an ocean engineer specializing in underwater acoustics.
Global Impact: Ocean Exploration Tools
Today’s technologies allow us to explore the ocean in increasingly systematic, scientific, and noninvasive ways. With continuing scientific and technological advances, our ability to observe the ocean environment and its resident creatures is beginning to catch up with our imaginations, expanding our understanding and appreciation of this still largely unexplored realm.
NOAA’s Ocean Research and Exploration offers resources that explain some of the technologies that make exploration possible, as well as related resulting scientific achievements. Technologies include platforms such as vessels and submersibles, observing systems and sensors, communication technologies, and diving technologies that transport us across ocean waters and into the depths and allow us to scientifically examine, record, and analyze the mysteries of the ocean.
Typical 4 beam ADCP sensor head. The red circles denote the 4 transducer faces. Image courtesy of NOAA.
For example, An acoustic Doppler current profiler, or ADCP, is a device that uses sound waves to measure the speed and direction of currents throughout the water column. Understanding how water in the ocean moves provides important information about biological, chemical, and physical properties of the ocean. The ADCP uses the Doppler effect by transmitting “pings” of sound using a sequence of consistent rapid pulses that ricochet off particles suspended in moving water and reflect back to the instrument. Particles moving toward the instrument return waves with a higher frequency (or pitch), while particles moving away produce a lower-frequency return. Since the particles move at the same speed as the water that carries them, the difference in frequency between the sound waves the profiler sends out and the sound waves it receives can be used to calculate how fast the particle and the water around it are moving. Find out more…
Get Involved
Keep Learning
Dig deeper into topics related to ocean engineering that interest you!
Explore:
- TryEngineering Tuesday – Ocean Engineering
- Careers in the Maritime Industry: SNAME
- Discovery of Sound in the Sea: The Science of Sound
- IEEE Earthzine Magazine: News on Ocean Science, Technology, and Environment
- How Giant Ships are Built: NY Times
- American Geophysical Union: Blogosphere – How to design continents for maximum tides
- Celebrating Singapore Shores! – Connect. Respect. Protect. (Asia/Singapore specific)
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) – News and Insights
- Parley: The importance and role of Women in Ocean Exploration
- Ocean Literacy: Seven Essential Principles about Ocean Science for all ages.
- Museum of the World Ocean, Russia
- Discovery of Sound in the Sea: How is sound used to transmit data underwater?
Watch:
- Scripps Oceanography: A YouTube channel covering a variety of ocean news
- The Science of Ship Design: University of Iowa
- Tech Insider: How deep does the ocean go?
- Ocean Literacy: How you influence the ocean and the ocean influences you.
- National Geographic: Webinars – Five Female Ocean Explorers
Try it Out:
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- Play some games that involve engineering!
- Try one of the TryEngineering lessons that focus on ocean engineering and naval architecture:
- Read about ocean sounds Facts and Myths at Discovery of Sound in the Sea and test yourself on how much you already know!
- Listen to NOAA Sounds in The Ocean to hear the noises sea animals make and write down the differences you hear! (Can you tell the difference between a dolphin and a whale?)
- Discover why ponds freeze in the winter but oceans don’t through this do-it-at-home experiment offered by the New England Aquarium!
Competitions and Events
Competitions, Fairs, and Camps are some of the best ways to put your skills to the test in a friendly-competitive environment. Along with these annual events, check your local aquarium, science center or museum, as well as universities nearby for events they are offering. Many are also conducted virtually.
Competitions:
- SAUC-E: Student Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Challenge – Europe challenges the next generation of engineers to design and build an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of performing realistic missions.
- Singapore AUV Challenge The SAUVC competition challenges participant teams to build an AUV which can perform given tasks such as AUV navigation, visual identification, acoustic localization and robotic manipulation.
- Mate ROV Competition: Build Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs) with your team and compete with groups from all over the world. Different competitions for all ages!
- SEA Perch: Global and regional competitions for building ROVs. Build your own Sea Perch through their program and then compete in SEA Perch competitions.
- RoboSub: Construct and test Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in performing tasks at these annual events offered for high-school, undergrad, and graduate students.
- ESSO-National Institute of Technology: Compete with your team and develop skills in AUV engineering technologies (For Indian national students only).
- MARE’s Deep Sea Engineering Challenge: A new challenge every year. Find out what the challenge is this year and how to get involved to learn about ocean health and technical solutions.
Camps:
- TryEngineering Summer Institute: Attend the TryEngineering Summer Institute to further your core engineering skills.
- Shoals Marine Laboratory: Programs for high school through undergraduate students, US.
- Boothbay Sea and Science Center Online Program programs for students and microplastics labs for educators.
- Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program students receive stipend for attending 8 week program.
Local Connections
Image Source: NOAA
Did you know you can start to make a difference in your community now? Look at these resources to help ocean engineers and Scientists in their research and start finding creative solutions to ocean problems.
- Watch a video about the 6 ways to be a NOAA Citizen Scientist here.
Groups and Associations
One of the best ways to get involved in a career path is by joining one or more professional societies that serve those working or studying in the field. Not all will offer student membership to pre-university or university students, but some may offer online resources to help you explore the field. Those that do offer university student membership often have Student Sections which arrange for online and in-person events, resources, and opportunities to learn more about the field while meeting other students pursuing the same interests.
Some resources on this page are provided or adapted from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Career Cornerstone Center.