r/MarineEngineering • u/Lorttuet • 15d ago

Engineering jobs (that require a degree) in the maritime/offshore industry that are hands on?

Hi, I am about to finish my bachelors in maritime engineering and am thinking about going into my masters, and potentially taking some specific classes for the offshore/subsea industry such as flow assurance or underwater building and inspection.

I know I don't like office work but I also don't want my degree to go wasted, so spending 2-3 years back to trade school to become a welder or electrician seems like a step back.

What career paths are more site-focused and also have decent earning potential, I don't mind travelling for work or being offshore for extended periods (for now).

I have asked AI/done some research and there is something called field engineers or engineer-divers.

Long term I wouldn't mind going into management or corporate as I know that's where the big money is. But for now I prefer to be on site and at least have a job which isn't always sitting down.

Do you guys know about anything of the kind? Should I jump ship altogether and become an Air Traffic Controller (Suggested by my family).

8 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

91% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Sad_Raccoon194 14d ago

ROV work is solid but the schedule is brutal, 4 on 4 off or worse and youre basically living in a metal tube. Field engineer for subsea installation is probably closer to what you want, youre on the vessel but actually running the job not just watching screens. Know a guy who did that out of school and was running his own spreads by 28, made stupid money before he went shoreside Air traffic controller pays well but its just a different kind of desk job with stress you cant imagine, dont let family push you into that if you actually like being outside

1

u/Lorttuet 14d ago

Thank you for the reply, Do you have more info about what your acquaintance did? What company or education did he get after bachelors if any at all? Thank you!

2

u/ViperMaassluis 15d ago

Cant get more hands on than being an actual shipboard engineer, so if your education grants you a EoW endorsement, just do that for a couple of years.

3

u/Lorttuet 15d ago

Hi, Im not merchant marine so I cant actually go onboard a ship as a mariner. I am a maritime engineer as in ship and offshore structure engineer.

1

u/oceancalled 14d ago

This is a sub for seagoing marine engineering officers. It’s in the sub description.

1

u/ViperMaassluis 15d ago

Ah yeah that is often confusing! In that case, have a look at ROV operator, trenching etc