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Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

SOC 17-2121.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers marine engineering and naval architecture practice across commercial shipbuilding, regulatory compliance, vessel analysis, and client-facing project delivery environments calibrated to Job Zone 4 preparation.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. International maritime regulations and life-saving equipment standards — identify and apply under direct supervision during ship compliance inspections at a commercial shipyard.
  2. Basic hull and superstructure specifications — review and interpret under guidance to support preliminary design activities in a naval architecture office.
  3. Stability and structural analysis data — collect and organize under supervision using analytical software tools on assigned vessel projects.
  4. Design proposals and vessel characteristic data — gather and summarize with direction to support size, weight, and speed assessments for new craft.
  5. Technical reports for engineering and management personnel — draft initial versions under close review using office suite and document management software.
  6. CAD software and basic drafting tools — operate under supervision to produce standard hull geometry drawings in a marine design environment.
  7. Automatic control and alarm systems on vessels — assist in routine checks and tests following established inspection protocols under senior engineer oversight.
  8. Contractor and client correspondence — prepare routine written summaries and progress updates under guidance to support project communication workflows.
  9. Spreadsheet and database software — use to enter, retrieve, and organize vessel performance and compliance data under direction in an engineering office.
  10. Mathematics and physics principles — apply to introductory ship calculations such as displacement and draft estimation under the direction of a licensed marine engineer.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Ship compliance monitoring activities — conduct independently against international regulations for pollution prevention and life-saving equipment across routine vessel inspections.
  2. Hull and superstructure design elements — develop and refine using CAD software to meet safety and efficiency specifications with reduced oversight in a shipbuilding project environment.
  3. Stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses — perform using analytical and scientific software for standard vessel types and document findings in formal engineering reports.
  4. Basic craft characteristics such as displacement, speed, and propulsion — evaluate from design proposals and specifications to inform project decisions on mid-complexity vessel programs.
  5. Technical reports for engineering and management audiences — prepare independently, translating complex analytical results into clear written summaries using document management and presentation software.
  6. Regulatory body coordination for ship repairs and alterations — facilitate communications and submissions to meet safety requirements while managing cost constraints on routine projects.
  7. Automatic control and alarm systems — test, troubleshoot, and maintain on assigned vessels following manufacturer and classification society protocols with routine self-direction.
  8. Project schedules and contractor deliverables — monitor and track using project management software to support on-time, on-budget completion of vessel engineering scopes.
  9. Cross-functional information — synthesize from engineering, operations, and client sources to identify design conflicts and recommend practical solutions in familiar project contexts.
  10. Quality control reviews of design drawings and calculations — conduct systematically against applicable codes and standards within a naval architecture or marine engineering firm.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full hull and superstructure design programs — lead autonomously from concept through production drawings, ensuring conformity with international safety, efficiency, and economy standards on complex vessels.
  2. Comprehensive ship analyses including stability, structural, weight, and vibration — execute across non-routine vessel configurations using advanced analytical software and resolve discrepancies without escalation.
  3. Multivariable craft characteristic trade-offs involving size, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft — evaluate and optimize independently to meet competing client performance and regulatory requirements.
  4. Regulatory compliance strategy for life-saving equipment and pollution prevention systems — develop and implement across a fleet or project portfolio, adapting to evolving international maritime standards.
  5. High-stakes technical reports and proposals — author for engineering leadership, clients, and classification societies, synthesizing complex data into actionable recommendations with professional written precision.
  6. Contractor and client relationships — manage proactively across the full project lifecycle, resolving disputes and ensuring technical scope, cost, and schedule alignment on large-scale marine projects.
  7. Systems-level analyses of vessel control architecture, propulsion integration, and automation — conduct and validate, identifying latent failure modes and recommending design improvements across complex ship systems.
  8. Novel engineering problems in marine design such as unconventional hull forms or emerging propulsion technologies — diagnose and resolve by applying inductive and deductive reasoning across discipline boundaries.
  9. Cross-disciplinary design reviews incorporating mechanical, structural, and electrical engineering inputs — coordinate and arbitrate to produce integrated, code-compliant vessel designs within schedule constraints.
  10. Mentorship and technical guidance — provide to developing engineers on analysis methods, regulatory interpretation, and professional report writing within a naval architecture or marine engineering organization.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational engineering standards and design methodologies for hull, superstructure, and systems development — establish and continuously improve to advance safety, innovation, and competitive performance across a marine enterprise.
  2. Strategic compliance frameworks aligned with evolving IMO, SOLAS, and MARPOL regulations — develop and champion at the organizational level, shaping internal policy and industry engagement.
  3. Enterprise-wide ship analysis capability including stability, structural, and vibration competencies — build by directing investment in tools, talent, and processes that raise technical performance across project portfolios.
  4. Senior client and regulatory authority relationships — cultivate and sustain at the executive level, representing the organization's technical credibility in contract negotiations and classification society proceedings.
  5. Complex, multi-vessel or fleet engineering programs — direct from initiation through delivery, integrating cost, schedule, safety, and innovation objectives across multidisciplinary teams in high-stakes commercial environments.
  6. Technical talent pipeline for marine engineering and naval architecture — design and lead through structured mentorship programs, competency frameworks, and professional development pathways across the organization.
  7. Emerging maritime technologies such as alternative propulsion, autonomous systems, and advanced materials — evaluate strategic relevance, sponsor research initiatives, and guide adoption decisions at the organizational level.
  8. High-value technical proposals, executive briefings, and industry publications — produce and present to shape organizational direction, win major contracts, and influence professional standards in the marine sector.
  9. Cross-organizational and interdisciplinary engineering governance — lead by establishing review boards, decision frameworks, and quality assurance systems that ensure design integrity across all vessel programs.
  10. Industry-wide knowledge advancement in marine engineering — drive through participation in standards committees, academic collaboration, and thought leadership that positions the organization at the forefront of naval architecture practice.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted specification review — uses an LLM to parse and summarize regulatory documents and international standards, cross-checking outputs against official sources before applying findings to compliance checks Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic structural query delegation — prompts an AI assistant with well-defined parameters to retrieve material properties or lookup classification society rules, verifying each result against engineering references.
Developing
  1. Stability and weight analysis support — directs an AI tool to organize input data and flag calculation inconsistencies across stability, structural, and weight analyses, then applies engineering judgment to interpret and validate all numerical outputs Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Report drafting assistance — hands off structured data summaries and field notes to an AI writing assistant to produce first-draft contractor and client reports, then edits for technical accuracy and contractual precision Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Design parameter screening — uses AI to compare proposed hull and superstructure configurations against historical vessel datasets, retaining full authorship of the final design decisions regarding safety, efficiency, and economy.
Proficient
  1. Computational simulation orchestration — directs AI-assisted computational tools through vibration, structural, and hydrodynamic analyses by defining boundary conditions and acceptance criteria, then evaluates model outputs using domain expertise WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Regulatory compliance gap analysis — tasks an AI assistant to cross-reference ship systems against SOLAS, MARPOL, and classification society rules, then exercises professional judgment to resolve ambiguities and sign off on compliance findings Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Multi-criteria design trade-off evaluation — uses AI to enumerate and score design alternatives across size, weight, speed, propulsion, and displacement constraints, applying naval architecture principles to make final specification selections WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Technical writing quality control — employs an AI editor to improve clarity, consistency, and formatting of technical reports and proposals, while retaining accountability for all engineering claims and cost projections.
Advanced
  1. AI-in-the-loop design workflow governance — establishes organizational protocols for integrating AI tools into hull design and structural analysis pipelines, defining handoff boundaries, validation checkpoints, and human-override requirements to preserve engineering rigor Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Complex problem decomposition strategy — frames novel vessel design challenges by decomposing them into AI-tractable subtasks and human-judgment-dependent subtasks, directing AI agents through the former while resolving high-stakes decisions independently Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Predictive maintenance and monitoring framework design — architects AI-assisted monitoring systems for life-saving equipment and pollution prevention, specifying sensor data feeds, alert thresholds, and escalation logic while retaining regulatory sign-off authority.
  4. Cross-discipline AI coordination — leads multi-disciplinary teams in which structural, propulsion, and systems engineers each use AI tools, harmonizing AI-generated outputs across domains into a coherent, regulation-compliant vessel design.
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Complex Problem Solving
Score: 59.2 / 100
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Computational Thinking
computational_thinking
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Technical report drafting — produces basic engineering summaries for ship design parameters using standard templates and formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder correspondence — conveys straightforward project status updates to contractors and clients using clear written language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory documentation — transcribes compliance data into standard forms for life-saving equipment inspections with guidance from senior engineers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technical specification writing — prepares detailed written descriptions of hull characteristics, propulsion systems, and displacement parameters for internal engineering teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional briefing — presents stability and structural analysis findings verbally to mixed audiences of engineers and project managers with increasing clarity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Client communication — drafts progress reports for contractors that balance technical accuracy with accessible language to support informed decision-making O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Engineering report authoring — prepares comprehensive technical reports on vibration, weight, and structural analyses for use by engineering, management, and sales personnel with consistent accuracy and appropriate technical depth Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory interface communication — articulates repair and alteration plans clearly to regulatory bodies, ensuring mutual understanding of safety requirements and cost constraints O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Design review facilitation — leads structured verbal discussions of design proposals, guiding teams through evaluation of size, speed, propulsion, and draft specifications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Executive-level technical communication — translates complex naval architecture analyses into strategic recommendations for senior leadership and clients, calibrating technical depth to audience expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-organizational standards communication — authors industry-facing technical documents and white papers that shape organizational and regulatory understanding of marine engineering requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentored communication development — coaches junior engineers in technical writing and presentation skills specific to marine design documentation and stakeholder reporting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Project task ownership — accepts responsibility for discrete ship design sub-tasks such as preliminary hull calculations, completing them with minimal supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Compliance initiative — proactively flags potential regulatory non-conformance issues during monitoring activities to senior engineers before they escalate Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Engineering sub-team coordination — organizes the workflow of small groups conducting stability or structural analyses, tracking progress against project milestones Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contractor liaison leadership — takes ownership of maintaining contact with contractors to ensure design deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget constraints O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Project engineering leadership — directs multidisciplinary teams through full ship design cycles from specification study through final hull and superstructure design, managing competing priorities and technical risks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory coordination leadership — leads organizational engagement with regulatory bodies to align repair and alteration strategies with safety standards at minimum cost O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Technical team development — mentors developing engineers in complex problem-solving approaches applied to propulsion, stability, and structural design challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational design leadership — establishes engineering standards and workflows for entire marine design programs, influencing methodology across multiple project teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Strategic client relationship leadership — builds and sustains long-term partnerships with clients and shipyards by demonstrating engineering authority and consistent delivery of technically sound, cost-efficient solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry leadership — represents the organization in professional and regulatory forums, advancing marine engineering standards and best practices at an industry level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Knowledge gap identification — recognizes limits of personal understanding when studying design proposals and seeks appropriate guidance on unfamiliar vessel characteristics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy application — selects targeted study approaches for mastering new regulatory standards governing life-saving equipment and pollution prevention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Analytical self-monitoring — tracks personal accuracy when performing stability, structural, and weight analyses, identifying recurring error patterns and adjusting calculation methods accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration — actively incorporates review comments from senior engineers into revised design work, reflecting on what assumptions led to original errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Design process reflection — evaluates own engineering judgment after project completion, identifying decisions about hull characteristics or propulsion systems that could be refined in future design cycles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Complex problem deconstruction — consciously selects and sequences analytical frameworks when approaching novel ship design challenges, monitoring whether chosen methods yield reliable results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cognitive strategy modeling — articulates explicit problem-solving frameworks for ship stability and structural analysis to junior engineers, making expert thinking visible and transferable Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic professional self-assessment — conducts structured evaluations of personal engineering judgment across multiple completed projects, identifying systematic biases in design assumptions and correcting them proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Specification analysis — examines design proposals to identify stated and implied requirements for vessel size, weight, speed, and displacement under supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory compliance evaluation — applies established criteria to assess whether ship equipment meets international standards for life-saving and pollution prevention O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Multi-variable design assessment — evaluates competing design parameters such as structural weight versus hull efficiency, identifying trade-offs with increasing independence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based problem diagnosis — analyzes test data from hull trials and alarm system checks to distinguish between equipment malfunction and design deficiency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated structural analysis — synthesizes results from stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses to form coherent engineering judgments about vessel seaworthiness and design adequacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Design assumption scrutiny — identifies and challenges unstated assumptions embedded in contractor specifications or client requirements before committing to hull and superstructure design parameters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory risk reasoning — weighs technical, financial, and safety evidence to determine minimum-cost repair and alteration strategies that maintain full regulatory compliance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systems-level engineering judgment — applies probabilistic and multi-disciplinary reasoning to evaluate novel vessel designs against safety, efficiency, and economic standards simultaneously, producing defensible recommendations under uncertainty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Critical review of industry standards — evaluates existing international marine regulations and engineering standards for logical consistency and practical applicability, contributing expert critique to revision processes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Interdisciplinary team participation — contributes assigned calculations and documentation to shared ship design projects, coordinating handoffs with mechanical and structural team members Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contractor coordination support — assists senior engineers in maintaining contact with contractors by preparing requested data summaries and status updates O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional analysis coordination — collaborates with structural, propulsion, and systems engineers during multi-analysis projects to integrate findings from separate technical workstreams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory body engagement — works alongside compliance officers and external inspectors to coordinate ship monitoring activities and align on corrective action plans O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated project team collaboration — partners effectively with naval architects, marine engineers, shipyard personnel, and clients across all phases of vessel design and construction, navigating technical disagreements constructively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contractor and client co-development — jointly develops design specifications and cost reduction strategies with contractors and clients, reconciling divergent technical and commercial perspectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Multidisciplinary design review participation — contributes expert engineering perspective to collaborative design reviews, building on others' analyses to strengthen overall vessel design quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Strategic partnership facilitation — builds collaborative frameworks between engineering firms, shipyards, and regulatory bodies that streamline vessel approval and construction processes across organizational boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative standards development — leads multi-organizational working groups to develop shared technical standards for marine engineering analysis and reporting, reconciling diverse institutional perspectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Regulatory integrity — accurately reports ship compliance status without omitting unfavorable findings, even when results require additional corrective work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability — acknowledges calculation errors in structural or stability analyses promptly and corrects them before they propagate into downstream design decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical cost reporting — presents cost analysis data to contractors and clients with full transparency, resisting pressure to omit cost overruns or safety concerns from project reports Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Safety-first professionalism — prioritizes vessel safety standards over schedule or cost pressures when evaluating life-saving equipment compliance and hull design adequacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Engineering ethics in design — consistently applies professional engineering judgment that places crew and passenger safety above commercial convenience when designing hull structures and propulsion systems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountable client engagement — delivers accurate technical assessments to clients even when findings contradict client preferences or require costly redesign, maintaining professional credibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory honesty — coordinates with regulatory bodies with full disclosure of known deficiencies, supporting the integrity of international maritime safety standards O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical leadership modeling — establishes and upholds organizational norms for engineering integrity, creating team cultures where safety concerns are reported without fear and accountability is the professional standard Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional standards stewardship — advocates within industry bodies for ethical marine engineering practices, challenging commercially motivated compromises to safety and environmental standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Preliminary design ideation — generates initial concept sketches and alternative hull form options during early design phases, exploring multiple approaches before committing to specifications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem reframing — reinterprets design constraints such as weight limits or displacement targets as creative parameters that open new propulsion or structural solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel design proposal generation — develops innovative hull and superstructure configurations that satisfy safety, efficiency, and economy standards through non-conventional approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive problem solving — devises creative engineering workarounds when standard repair approaches exceed cost constraints or conflict with regulatory requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated systems innovation — conceives and develops original marine engineering solutions that simultaneously optimize structural integrity, propulsion efficiency, and regulatory compliance in complex vessel designs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Design experimentation — tests unconventional hull form hypotheses through analysis and modeling, treating experimental failure as informative data that refines subsequent creative iterations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Transformative design innovation — pioneers vessel design concepts that advance the field of naval architecture by introducing new structural paradigms, propulsion configurations, or stability management approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative methodology development — invents new engineering analysis frameworks and design processes that expand the problem-solving toolkit available to marine engineering teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Technical skill development — pursues self-directed study of unfamiliar analysis methods such as vibration analysis or computational fluid dynamics when assigned to new vessel design types Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — incorporates senior engineer critique of structural calculations and design assumptions without defensiveness, treating corrections as learning inputs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Regulatory knowledge expansion — proactively learns evolving international marine regulations and incorporates updated requirements into compliance monitoring practices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback analysis — examines root causes when design proposals are rejected or analyses yield unexpected results, extracting specific lessons to improve future engineering performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Continuous method improvement — regularly reviews and updates personal engineering analysis approaches in response to new tools, emerging research, and project post-mortems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Challenge pursuit — volunteers for complex or technically novel vessel design projects that stretch current expertise, viewing difficulty as opportunity for professional advancement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary learning — actively seeks exposure to adjacent fields such as hydrodynamics, materials science, and environmental engineering to enhance marine design capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — creates team environments where experimentation with new engineering methods is encouraged and lessons from project failures are systematically captured and shared Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional mastery pursuit — engages in advanced research, continuing education, and professional development activities that extend the boundaries of personal expertise in naval architecture and marine engineering Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Focused analysis attention — maintains concentration during detailed stability and structural calculations, recognizing when attention lapses and reorienting to the computational task Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness in review — notices personal frustration or stress during design review feedback sessions and manages reactions to remain professionally engaged Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intentional inspection attention — applies deliberate, present-focused observation during ship monitoring activities, avoiding routine-induced oversight of non-obvious compliance deficiencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload awareness — monitors personal cognitive load during complex multi-analysis projects and adjusts work pacing to maintain accuracy in structural, weight, and vibration assessments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. High-stakes decision presence — maintains calm, focused awareness during critical engineering judgment moments such as final hull design approval or regulatory compliance determinations, resisting premature closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intentional stakeholder engagement — approaches contractor and client interactions with full attentiveness, accurately receiving and processing stakeholder concerns rather than responding from assumption Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Stress-regulated analysis — manages personal stress responses during compressed project timelines to sustain analytical quality in reports prepared for engineering, management, and sales use Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful leadership presence — models and cultivates deliberate, attentive engineering practice within teams, demonstrating how present-moment awareness reduces error rates in high-consequence marine design decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systematic attention management — develops personal and team protocols for managing attentional resources across extended vessel design and compliance projects, sustaining performance quality throughout project duration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Design iteration persistence — continues refining hull or propulsion design parameters through multiple failed attempts without abandoning the engineering challenge prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory complexity tolerance — engages persistently with complex international compliance requirements for life-saving equipment and pollution prevention despite initial difficulty interpreting standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained analysis effort — maintains rigorous analytical quality through extended multi-variable studies such as combined stability, structural, and weight analyses even when results remain inconclusive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adversarial feedback resilience — recovers constructively from critical client or regulatory rejection of design proposals, re-engaging with revised approaches rather than defaulting to safe but suboptimal solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. High-pressure project delivery — sustains engineering performance quality under compressed timelines and conflicting contractor, client, and regulatory demands throughout complex vessel design programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty navigation — progresses confidently through vessel design phases where key parameters remain undetermined, making defensible interim engineering decisions without requiring complete information Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Safety confrontation courage — raises and escalates unresolved structural or compliance safety concerns to contractors, clients, and regulatory bodies even when doing so creates project friction or cost disputes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational resilience leadership — guides engineering teams through major project setbacks such as structural failures, regulatory rejection, or client disputes, maintaining team focus and professional standards under sustained adversity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Long-cycle perseverance — sustains expert-level engineering engagement across multi-year vessel design and construction programs, maintaining design integrity and safety standards through inevitable scope changes, technical setbacks, and organizational pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Architect Specialist · Automation Engineer · Boat Designer · Consulting Marine Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Specialist · Marine Architect · Marine Civil Engineer · Marine Consultant · Marine Design Engineer · Marine Engineer · Marine Engineering Consultant
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Complex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingWritingSpeakingActive ListeningMathematicsOperations MonitoringScienceActive LearningTime ManagementMonitoringCoordinationQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationSocial PerceptivenessOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
Engineering and TechnologyMechanicalDesignEnglish LanguageTransportationMathematicsPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingCategory FlexibilityMathematical Reasoning
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessInnovationIntellectual CuriosityAchievement Orientation
Technology
Document management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareSpreadsheet softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareProject management software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
  2. Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
  3. Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
  4. Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
  5. Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
  6. Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.
  7. Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
  8. Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.
CIP education codes
14.2201

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.