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Engineering

Naval Engineer

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Imagine being responsible for designing, building, and maintaining some of the most impressive vehicles on (and under) the water – from giant cargo ships and luxury cruise liners to powerful naval warships and submarines! That's exactly what a Naval Engineer does. It's a really exciting job that involves a lot of science and maths, making sure that ships are safe, efficient, and able to do their jobs properly. Naval Engineers work on all sorts of things, like how a ship floats (its stability), how fast it can go (its propulsion system), what materials it's made from, and even the internal systems like plumbing and electrical circuits. They might spend time in an office using computer design tools, or out in a shipyard watching a ship being built or undergoing repairs. It's a job that needs a keen eye for detail and a love for solving complex problems, ensuring that vessels are fit for purpose, whether they're transporting goods, carrying passengers, or defending the country.

Naval Engineer

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

A graduate Naval Engineer in the UK can expect to earn around 25,000 to 30,000 pounds per year, though this can vary depending on the employer and specific role.

Experienced Professional Salary

With several years of experience, a Naval Engineer's salary in the UK can typically range from 35,000 to 60,000 pounds annually. Highly experienced engineers in senior roles might earn even more.

Number of Job Openings

The UK marine and maritime sector is a significant industry. While specific numbers for 'Naval Engineers' are not always isolated, there are hundreds of job openings for various engineering roles within this sector each year, across defence and commercial marine.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Marine Engineer

Imagine you're designing and fixing the engines, steering, and other important parts inside big ships, submarines, or even huge offshore wind turbines. You'd make sure they work perfectly and safely!

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Naval Architect

This is like being the main designer for a ship! You'd plan how a boat or submarine looks, how it floats, how fast it can go, and how strong it needs to be to handle big waves. You'd draw the plans and choose the materials.

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Oceanographer

If you love the sea, you could study everything about it! You'd research the ocean currents, marine life, the seabed, and even how the ocean affects our weather. Sometimes, you might go on research ships to collect samples and data.

Explore Your Interests

Build and Create

Start by trying out hobbies that involve building things or understanding how they work. This could be anything from LEGO to model kits!

Many naval engineers enjoyed building things when they were younger. Think about making things with LEGO, K'nex, or even simple paper models. Try to understand how different parts fit together and how they help the object move or function. This early curiosity about construction and design is a great foundation.

Love Maths and Science

Pay close attention in your maths and science classes, especially physics. These subjects are super important for engineering.

Maths and science, particularly physics, are the bedrock of engineering. Understanding how forces work, the properties of materials, and how to calculate things like speed and weight are all crucial for designing ships. The stronger your foundation in these subjects, the easier you'll find more complex engineering concepts later on.

Learn About Ships

Read books, watch documentaries, or visit museums about ships, boats, and marine life.

Get curious about the world of ships and the sea. Look up different types of vessels, from tiny fishing boats to massive aircraft carriers. How are they built? What makes them float? How do they move? Visiting maritime museums, reading books about naval history, or watching documentaries can really spark your interest and teach you a lot.

Secondary School Choices (Ages 11-16)

Choose Core GCSEs

Make sure you choose GCSEs like Maths, Physics, and Design & Technology if they are optional.

When it comes to choosing your GCSEs, Maths and Physics are absolutely essential. These subjects provide the fundamental knowledge needed for any engineering field. Design & Technology (D&T) is also highly recommended as it gives you practical experience in designing and making, which is very relevant to a Naval Engineer's role.

Join STEM Clubs

Get involved in school clubs related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM).

Many schools offer STEM clubs or engineering societies. These clubs are fantastic for exploring practical projects, working in teams, and seeing how scientific principles are applied in real-world scenarios. You might even get to build small robots, design structures, or participate in competitions, which can be great fun and very educational.

Work Experience Taster

Look for any opportunities for 'taster' work experience, even if it's just for a day, in an engineering or shipbuilding company.

Even a short 'taster' of work experience can be incredibly valuable. Ask your teachers or parents if they know of any local engineering firms, boatyards, or even workshops that might allow you to observe for a day or two. Seeing engineers at work can give you a real insight into the daily life of the profession and help you decide if it's the right path for you.

Post-16 Education (Ages 16-18)

A-Levels or Equivalent

Study A-Levels in Maths and Physics, plus another science or technical subject like Further Maths, Chemistry, or Design & Technology.

For most university engineering courses, A-Levels in Maths and Physics are non-negotiable. Many universities also prefer a third A-Level in a related subject such as Further Maths, Chemistry, or Design & Technology. Vocational qualifications like a BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering can also be an excellent route, providing a more hands-on approach and direct pathway into certain university courses or apprenticeships.

Research Universities

Start looking at universities that offer degrees in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

It's a good idea to start researching universities and their engineering programmes. Look for courses specifically in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or even a broader Mechanical Engineering degree with options for marine specialisation. Check their entry requirements and see what grades you'll need. Attending open days (either in person or virtual) is a great way to get a feel for the university and the course.

Consider Apprenticeships

Explore higher or degree apprenticeships with shipbuilding companies or the Royal Navy.

Higher and degree apprenticeships offer a fantastic alternative to university. You can earn a salary while studying for a degree-level qualification, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience at the same time. Companies like BAE Systems, Babcock International, and even the Royal Navy offer apprenticeships in naval engineering fields. Keep an eye on their websites for opportunities as you get closer to finishing school.

Higher Education and Training

Earn a Relevant Degree

Complete a Bachelor's degree (BEng) or Master's degree (MEng) in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

A university degree is the most common route into naval engineering. A BEng takes about three years, and an MEng typically takes four or five years and is often preferred for more senior roles or Chartership. These courses cover everything from ship design and hydrodynamics to marine propulsion systems and structural analysis. Practical projects and placements are often part of these degrees.

Gain Work Experience

Look for internships, summer placements, or year-in-industry programmes during your degree.

While studying, actively seek out internships or placements. Many universities have industrial links, and companies often offer structured programmes. This experience is incredibly valuable for applying your academic knowledge, building your professional network, and making you more attractive to employers once you graduate. It also gives you a deeper understanding of specific areas within naval engineering.

Join Professional Bodies

Consider joining professional engineering organisations like the RINA or IMarEST.

Joining professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) or the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) can be very beneficial. They offer student memberships, provide access to industry news, events, and networking opportunities, and are key pathways for achieving professional registration like Chartered Engineer (CEng) status later in your career. This demonstrates your commitment and expertise in the field.

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🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Naval Engineer. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A Naval Engineer typically designs, builds, tests, and maintains marine vessels and their systems, which requires a strong understanding of naval architecture, marine engineering, and systems similar to those in aerospace. While not an exact match, 'Aerospace engineer' is the closest from the given list, as both fields involve complex engineering of vehicles designed for movement through fluid mediums (water/air), often with propulsion systems, stability considerations, and structural integrity demands.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a subject like:

  • electrical or electronic engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • manufacturing or product engineering
  • physics or applied physics
  • software engineering or mathematics

Postgraduate study

You may be able to do a master's degree in aeronautical or aerospace engineering if you've studied for a degree in a related subject, such as engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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College

You could do A levels, a higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) in engineering before applying for a trainee technician job with an aerospace company.

Subjects include:

  • maths, physics and design and technology
  • mechanical engineering
  • aeronautical engineering
  • electrical engineering

You would then take further training to become a fully qualified engineer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship to begin your career in the aerospace industry. Apprenticeships include:

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Aerospace Software Engineer
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineer
  • Materials Science Technologist

You'll combine workplace learning with study for a degree at university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Work

You might be able to join a company as an aerospace engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

Direct Application

You can apply for aerospace engineering jobs if you've got relevant qualifications and experience. For example, you might have worked in mechanical, electrical or electronics engineering.

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Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Royal Aeronautical Society for professional development, career resources and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about working in aerospace engineering from Careers in Aerospace.

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