Ships these days use the most modern technology and equipment that can be understood, maintained and handled only by marine engineers. This job requires a high degree of discipline and responsibility since the chief marine engineer is in charge of a ship and its cargo which cost millions of dollars. They manage the enormous power of the ship and all its complicated machinery and help it cross the ocean. Marine engineers may have to work on cargo ships, container ships or oil and gas tankers. They have to spend months together at the sea which can get tiresome and they might get homesick. But all the hardship is compensated with the pay, which is obscenely high even at the starting level, with the time off (4-6 months in a year) and with the chance to sail around the world.

The demand for Marine Engineers in public and private shipping companies has risen sharply, with the increase in international global sea traffic.  The construction, operations and maintenance of the engine room are the main obligations of a marine engineer. This means that they deal with the technical area of the ship. In fact, they are the overall in-charge of the engine and its crew. The top rung of the hierarchical ladder is the post of a chief engineer. Marine engineers usually sail for 15-20 years after which they take land jobs in shipyards, maritime universities or in management of a shipping company. There are job opportunities in other sectors too like banks, hotels and power plants. 

Besides this, Marine Engineers can work in governments as well as the Indian Navy.

Salary

The pay is very attractive. A marine engineer at operational level (first rung after the 6 months training) earns between Rs 44,000 to Rs 88,000 a month. This goes up to Rs 3-4 lakh a month with promotions. A chief engineer would earn anything around Rs 5 lakh per month. These figures can change with the size, type and flag of the ship.
 

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