JOB REPORT / 53-5031 · 17 TASKS

Ship Engineers.

Can AI do the work of Ship Engineers?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Maintain complete records of engineering department activities
Order and receive engine room stores
Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment…

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A free set of short lessons, about 20 minutes each, at your own pace. No payment, no experience needed.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

8 of 17 tasks reviewed

This job has 17 core tasks. We went through 8 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Ship Engineers actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
AI DOES
Drafts log entries, organizes data, flags missing fields, and formats reports from notes or sensor inputs
YOU DO
Verify readings firsthand, sign off on accuracy, and catch anything sensors or notes missed
TASK 02
Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.
AI DOES
Tracks inventory, flags low stock, generates purchase orders, and logs supply usage automatically
YOU DO
Physically inspect parts, confirm delivery quality, and decide what the ship truly needs
TASK 03
Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
AI DOES
Analyzes sensor streams, spots patterns, and flags likely fault causes faster than manual review
YOU DO
Stay aboard, use your senses, and make safety calls AI can't make from data alone
TASK 04
Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.
AI DOES
Auto-fills log templates, flags unusual readings, and formats entries from sensor feeds
YOU DO
Verify physical gauge readings and sign off on safety-critical engineering records
TASK 05
Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
AI DOES
Watches sensor streams, spots unusual readings, and sends automatic alerts
YOU DO
Walk the engine room, apply experience, and decide the safest fix in the moment
TASK 06
Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
AI DOES
Tracks inspection schedules, logs equipment status, and flags regulation changes
YOU DO
Physically inspect gear and make safety calls in real conditions
TASK 07
Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
AI DOES
Drafts reports, summarizes schedules, and flags budget variances from data
YOU DO
Show up in person, read the room, and own safety decisions on the spot
TASK 08
Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
AI DOES
Pulls up repair manuals, troubleshooting guides, and parts diagrams instantly
YOU DO
Turn wrenches, test systems, and make judgment calls in tight spaces on a moving vessel

START LEARNING AI

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Use your judgment.

There are 8 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Ship Engineers
SOC code: 53-5031
Tasks reviewed: 8 of 17

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $109,530 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): Not reported for Colorado
Employed (national): 8,400
Employed in Colorado: Not reported for Colorado
Job outlook: +1.6% by 2034 · ~1,100 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Your job, task by task.

Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.

Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.

Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.

Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction, and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.

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.

Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.

Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

More Transportation and Material Moving jobs

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.