ship duty engineer
Ship duty engineers share responsibility for most of the content of the ship's hull. They ensure operation of the main engines, steering mechanism, electrical generation and other major subsystems. They communicate with the ship chief engineer to perform technical operations.
ship duty engineer ship duty engineers share responsibility for most of the content of the ship's hull. They ensure operation of the main engines, steering mechanism, electrical generation and other major subsystems. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include operation of different engines, maritime law, ship hull engineering, International Maritime Organisation conventions, principles of combustion engines.
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only ship duty engineer, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Building and Construction
What you'd actually do
- Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
- Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
- Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
- Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
- Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
- Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does ship duty engineer do?
Ship duty engineers share responsibility for most of the content of the ship's hull. They ensure operation of the main engines, steering mechanism, electrical generation and other major subsystems. They communicate with the ship chief engineer to perform technical operations.
What skills does ship duty engineer need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include operation of different engines, maritime law, ship hull engineering, International Maritime Organisation conventions, principles of combustion engines, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace ship duty engineer?
Our AI-durability model gives ship duty engineer a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.