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They operate and monitor the ship's mechanical equipment. Under supervision, they inspect, test, maintain, repair, modify and install equipment associated with the trade.

Marine Engineers (MAR ENG) operate, monitor and maintain the propulsion, ancillary, auxiliary, and prime mover machinery and systems onboard naval ships and submarines. They inspect, test, maintain, repair, modify and install equipment associated with the onboard mechanical systems.

Specifically, Marine Engineers monitor, operate and maintain the following equipment:

• Main and auxiliary high and low-pressure boilers
• Diesel and gas turbine propulsion engines
• Ancillary systems including: fuel, lubricating oil, main gearing, shafting
• Auxiliary systems including: hot and cold fresh water, high and low pressure air, steam
• Hydraulic, mechanical and electrical control systems used in monitors, alarms and other marine equipment
• Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment
• Reverse osmosis declinators and evaporators
• Ship’s steering equipment
• Filling and transfer systems for water, fuels and lubricants
• Read and interpret engineering sketches and drawings, including electrical, mechanical and hydraulic, pneumatic and fluid drawings

The Marine Engineer occupation forms part of a ship’s Marine Systems Engineering department. It is a technically challenging occupation, which offers excellent training and great opportunities for career progression. Marine Engineers must have the manual dexterity to work with a variety of hand tools and test equipment. They must be dependable and capable of working with minimum supervision. Patience, perseverance, resourcefulness and the ability to work as a member of a team, particularly in emergency situations, are necessary attributes.

Marine Engineering Mechanics should have a high level of academic education with strengths in physics and mathematics. You must meet Canadian Forces medical standards, and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations.

Opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training are available for personnel who demonstrate ability and potential. At various stages throughout their career, Marine Engineers must obtain Marine Engineering operating certificates, which reflect and assure a competent level of watch-keeping and technical ability.

Marine Engineers who exhibit the necessary abilities areselected for more advanced academically challenging, technical training, after which they are employed as a journeyman in the more technical aspects of the occupation. As members progress in their career, they may fulfil more challenging roles in primarily high-level maintenance and supervisory duties at sea or at ship repair facilities that are tasked with military contracts.

Personnel who demonstrate the desire and possess the pre-requisite qualifications may be selected for advanced formal courses and specialty training as they progress in their career. Some of the advanced training courses are:

• Gas Turbine Heavy Maintenance
• Heavy Diesel Maintenance
• Diesel Inspector
• Non-Destructive Testing Techniques
• Engineering Officer of the Watch Certification
• Chief Engineering Certification

Marine Engineers spend much of their careers onboard surface ships or submarines based in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Esquimalt, British Columbia. At sea, they are employed in maintenance and watch-keeping duties in machinery and control spaces on a continuous shift rotation. The work is sometimes very demanding, both physically and mentally. There are times when they may be required to work under challenging conditions such as in poorly lit, cramped spaces. They occasionally work for extended periods in uncomfortably hot and humid compartment conditions with high noise levels, which make the use of ear protection mandatory. They may also be required to work on decks in all climatic conditions. In harbour, where the majority of maintenance is completed, they normally work a regular day shift. Personnel gain much of their training through hands-on experience and with day-to-day guidance by senior personnel.