Ship and aircraft controllers and technicians

How to become a ships' engineer

Official title: Ships' engineers

Also called: Ships’ engineer

Ships’ engineers control and participate in the operation, maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment and machinery on board ship, or perform related supporting functions on shore.

Main tasks

Controlling and participating in the operation, maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment and machinery on board ship
Ordering fuel and other engine-room department stores and maintaining records of operations
Performing technical supervision of the installation, maintenance and repair of ships’ machinery and equipment to ensure compliance with specifications and regulations
Inspecting and conducting maintenance and emergency repairs to engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment
Standing engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$27,000 a month
About 1,542,900 people in 2025, and about 1,639,100 projected by 2028. (+6.2%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a ships' engineer?

Not always. 41% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a ships' engineer?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026