Engineering

Job Description:

Sailors in the engineering field help power virtually every system aboard Navy ships. You could find yourself operating a nuclear propulsion plant - a system that propels 97,000-ton aircraft carriers through the sea and allows submarines to operate underwater for extended periods of time. So if you’re a take-charge person who can handle the responsibility of operating and maintaining multimillion-dollar systems, accelerate your life with a job in the engineering field.

What Will You Do?

Sailors in the engineering field are highly trained in specialized computer, electronic and propulsion systems. Vital power-generating equipment and intricate weapons systems are operated and maintained by individuals in this field to support the Navy and the nation. As part of this occupational specialty, you might be called upon to:

• Operate and maintain nuclear reactor plants and propulsion systems
• Operate and maintain electrical power generators
• Operate and maintain refrigeration and air-conditioning plants
• Control operation of turbogenerators used to produce electrical power
• Inspect, maintain, test and repair electric power equipment
• Operate and repair highly technical electronic detection/deception systems
• Repair the most advanced weapon systems in the world
• Test and maintain a wide range of aircraft instruments and electrical equipment including generators, motors, and lighting systems
• Maintain aircraft landing gear, brakes, and related pneumatic systems
• Maintain aircraft fuselage, wings, and fixed and movable surfaces
• Maintain the various systems in aircraft, such as seat and canopy ejection, gaseous and liquid oxygen, life raft ejection, fire extinguishing, air-conditioning, and cockpit pressurization

Skills and Training

Fields in engineering involve a high level of responsibility and maturity in dealing with technical systems. Individuals can receive extensive Navy training in the operation, maintenance, and repair of complicated computers, electronics, and electrical systems. For qualified individuals, the Navy provides the most comprehensive training available.

Your extensive training might also prepare you for a future career as a:

• Nuclear Power Plant Operator
• Aircraft Mechanic
• Electronic Mechanic
• Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic
• Computer Programmer Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic
• Electrician
• Airplane Electrician
• Electromechanical Technician
• Metallurgical Technician
• Aircraft Electrical Instrument Repairer
• Firefighter
• Oxygen Plant Operator

Earn College Credits

Much of the training in this field qualifies for college credit. Jobs in the engineering field offer continuing college education through the Navy College Program as well as tuition assistance. Advanced training may be available. Other incentives in the engineering field include a signing bonus for qualified individuals who are selected in the nuclear field and submarine-duty pay for those who qualify.

Career Outlook

Whether in the civilian world or in the Navy, the experience and responsibility you will receive in a job in the engineering field is invaluable. Your training could be extensive, from hands-on experience operating a nuclear propulsion plant to highly technical classroom training in electronics, computers, or electrical systems. Skills in the engineering field equip you for countless jobs in the high-tech industry.

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