Work activities

Entry requirements

Entry requirements to become a marine engineer differ depending on whether you wish to work on:

• fishing vessels
• merchant navy ships, such as cargo boats, cruise liners and super yachts
• vessels that work in restricted waters, such as harbour tugs and ferries
• on shore – working on vessels when they are in dry dock.

To get a Marine Engineer (Class 6) certificate you must:

• be aged over 18 years
• prove you have worked at sea for at least the minimum time required, which varies depending on your previous training and qualifications
• hold a current first-aid certificate
• pass police and medical checks
• supply work and character references.

Work activities

• assessing the environmental impact of intensive agricultural production methods
• supervising agricultural construction projects, like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation
• solving engineering problems, for example, designing all-terrain vehicles that can move over uneven ground in different weather conditions (known as terramechanics)
• testing and installing new equipment, such as harvesters, crop sprayers, storage facilities and logging machinery
• analysing GPS and weather data and using computer modelling to advise farmers and businesses on land use, for instance how to increase crop yields or cope with changing climate conditions
• planning service and repair programmes for machinery.

Depending on the size of the company, you might also be involved in managing and coordinating sales, marketing and technical support.

Income

Starting salaries for graduate agricultural engineers are around £25,000 a year. Experienced engineers can earn between £25,000 and £35,000.

Chartered engineers can earn over £40,000 a year.

Some overseas relief and development positions may be offered on a voluntary basis.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.