Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Ship Engineers:
47.2%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Most data sources align, with only minor variation. This is a well-supported result.
AI Resilience Report forShip Engineers
$109,530 median salary•900 annual openings•SOC Code: 53-5031.00
Ship Engineers are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 7 sources.
Ship Engineering is labeled "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is already changing a meaningful chunk of the day-to-day work, particularly the routine tasks like logging readings, tracking supplies, and monitoring systems, which software now handles automatically. The hands-on core of the job (repairing pumps, fixing leaks, and working with physical machinery) remains firmly human, but engineers who want to stay ahead will need to build data-literacy skills alongside their traditional mechanical know-how.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is somewhat resilient
Ship Engineering is labeled "Somewhat Resilient" because AI is already changing a meaningful chunk of the day-to-day work, particularly the routine tasks like logging readings, tracking supplies, and monitoring systems, which software now handles automatically. The hands-on core of the job (repairing pumps, fixing leaks, and working with physical machinery) remains firmly human, but engineers who want to stay ahead will need to build data-literacy skills alongside their traditional mechanical know-how.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Ship Engineers
Updated quarterly
How can Ship Engineers prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Ship Engineers
The recommended articles highlight how AI is reshaping engineering roles, including ship engineering. For instance, in the Coinbase example, AI allows engineers to complete tasks in days that once took weeks, showcasing efficiency gains that could benefit ship engineers. Additionally, the article on AI-proof careers emphasizes a growing demand for shipbuilders, indicating job security in this field despite AI advancements. These insights suggest that students can thrive in ship engineering by embracing AI tools, making their roles more innovative and resilient.
Senior engineers are spending their week cleaning up AI-generated code
www.helpnetsecurity.com • 6/15/2026
At most U.S. technology companies, machines now write the bulk of the code that ships each week. The engineer's job has shifted toward...
Last Month, Salesforce Announced It Hit $1.2 Billion in AI Revenue—Now It's Laying Off Staff
www.inc.com • 6/9/2026
The cuts come less than two weeks after the company's CEO said AI was helping Salesforce increase its engineering output—without adding...
Tiny teams, no 'pure managers,' and AI: Coinbase's memo has all the classic ingredients of a 2026 layoff letter
www.businessinsider.com • 5/5/2026
"Over the past year, I've watched engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks," Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong wrote.
An engineer initially felt AI was taking over his job, but now he says it's changed his mindset
www.businessinsider.com • 4/8/2026
Maahir Sharma said AI has caused him to rethink his role — and he feels optimistic about his job prospects.
This AI-proof career faces a 250,000-worker shortage—now the Trump administration is trying to revive the job millennials abandoned
fortune.com • 3/27/2026
Shipbuilding is desperate for workers, and it could be an opportunity for Gen Z seeking AI-proof jobs with no degree required.
More Career Info
Career: Ship Engineers
They make sure ships run smoothly by maintaining and repairing engines, and other onboard systems, so the vessel can travel safely and efficiently.
Parent Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$109,530
Jobs (2025)
8,800
Growth (2025-35)
+2.7%
Annual Openings
900
Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Experience
Less than 5 years
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.
2
Install engine controls, propeller shafts, or propellers.
3
Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks.
4
Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties.
5
Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.
6
Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean.
7
Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
