Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects score 42 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #390 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 30 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 19 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 4 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

42/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #390of 923 jobs
US workers: 8,250BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $112,230a year
In real AI use: 4 of 30tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (10%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 19 (63%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 8 (27%)

Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with research personnel to clarify or resolve problems and to develop or modify designs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Oversee construction and testing of prototype in model basin and develop sectional and waterline curves of hull to establish center of gravity, ideal hull form, and buoyancy and stability data.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Act as liaisons between ships' captains and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained, and that ships are operated safely and efficiently.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Inspect marine equipment and machinery to draw up work requests and job specifications.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare, or direct the preparation of, product or system layouts and detailed drawings and schematics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Investigate and observe tests on machinery and equipment for compliance with standards.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct analytical, environmental, operational, or performance studies to develop designs for products, such as marine engines, equipment, and structures.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine conditions under which tests are to be conducted, as well as sequences and phases of test operations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review work requests and compare them with previous work completed on ships to ensure that costs are economically sound.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze data to determine feasibility of product proposals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Schedule machine overhauls and the servicing of electrical, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewage systems.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.AI can speed this up with extra software
Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conduct environmental, operational, or performance tests on marine machinery and equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Design and oversee testing, installation, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Procure materials needed to repair marine equipment and machinery.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain and coordinate repair of marine machinery and equipment for installation on vessels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Establish arrangement of boiler room equipment and propulsion machinery, heating and ventilating systems, refrigeration equipment, piping, and other functional equipment.Little or no AI speed-up

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Questions about marine engineers and naval architects and AI

Will AI replace marine engineers and naval architects?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Marine Engineers and Naval Architects score 42 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #390 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 22 of the job's 30 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 8 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which marine engineers and naval architects tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Maintain records of engineering department activities, including expense records and details of equipment maintenance and repairs"; "Prepare technical reports for use by engineering, management, or sales personnel"; "Confer with research personnel to clarify or resolve problems and to develop or modify designs".

Which marine engineers and naval architects tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties"; "Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems"; "Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 4 of the 30 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as marine engineers and naval architects, and what do they earn?

About 8,250 people in the US, with median pay of $112,230 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.