Ship Engineer
Logistics
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- 2Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- 3Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- 4Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- 5Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- 6Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
- 7Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
- 8Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
- 9Operate or maintain off-loading liquid pumps or valves.
- 10Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems.
- 11Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
- 12Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
- 13Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
- 14Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
- 15Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
- 16Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
- 17Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- OICEW
- Engineer
- Deck Engineer
- Port Engineer
- Ship Engineer
- Barge Engineer
- Ferry Engineer
- Ship Engineers
- Harbor Engineer
- Marine Mechanic
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
Typical entry
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
5
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Mechanical90%
Mechanical Engineering StudiesPhysicsDesign & Technology (RBT)
- English Language71%
English
- Engineering and Technology70%
PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)
- Public Safety and Security69%
- Transportation66%
- Mathematics65%
Additional MathematicsMathematics
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicNot at all
- Leading or coordinating othersHigh
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherEvery day
- Noisy environmentEvery day
- Hands-on work with tools or objectsMost of the time
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Use drone technology for ship inspections, maintenance, or other tasks.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.
Ship Engineers · Shortage indicators met: INSUFFICIENT DATA
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
If this interests you, these are worth a look too.
About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Ship Engineers
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org