SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Marine Architect
  • Marine Design Engineer
  • Marine Engineer
  • Marine Engineering Consultant
  • Marine Structural Designer
  • Marine Surveyor
  • Naval Architect
  • Naval Architect Specialist

What do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects do?

Marine engineers and naval architects are specialized professionals who design, construct, and maintain ships, submarines, offshore platforms, and other marine vessels and structures. Marine engineers focus primarily on the engineering systems and machinery components of marine vehicles, including propulsion systems, electrical systems, and hydraulic systems. They are responsible for ensuring that these systems are efficient, safe, and environmentally compliant. On the other hand, naval architects concentrate on the overall design and structural integrity of the vessels. They analyze hydrodynamics, stability, and the vessel’s capability to navigate various aquatic environments. Both professions require a deep understanding of physics, mathematics, and materials science, and they often collaborate closely on projects. Their work not only plays a crucial role in the shipping and naval defense industries but also contributes to advancements in sustainable practices and innovations in marine technology.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Physics Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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How people get into it

A normal week

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  • Working with Computers

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Analytical or scientific software Ansys Fluent · MAYA Nastran · Tension Technology International OPTIMOOR · The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Video conferencing software Zoom
  • Computer aided design CAD software Autodesk AutoCAD · Dassault Systemes SolidWorks · PTC Creo Parametric · The Napa Group NAPA
  • Spreadsheet software IBM Lotus 1-2-3 · Microsoft Excel
  • Project management software Microsoft Project · Oracle Primavera Systems

Tools

  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Plotter printers Plotters
  • Microcontrollers Programmable logic controllers PLC
  • Hard hats
  • Safety glasses

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Marine Engineers and Naval Architects earn in South Africa?

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

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 and Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.