Vessel engine assembler

Vessel engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form engines used for all types of vessels such as electric motors, nuclear reactors, gas turbine engines, outboard motors, two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines and, in some cases, marine steam engines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.

Vessel engine assemblers work in manufacturing plants, and working conditions vary by plant and by industry. Many physically difficult tasks, such as tightening massive bolts or moving heavy parts into position, have been automated or made easier through the use of power tools. Assembly work, however, may still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders.

Some vessel engine assemblers come into contact with potentially dangerous chemicals or fumes, but ventilation systems usually minimize any harmful effects. Other assemblers come into contact with oil and grease, and their work areas may be noisy.

Most vessel engine assemblers work full time. Some assemblers work in shifts, which may require evening, weekend, and night work.

The following job titles also refer to vessel engine assembler:

marine engine assembler
boat engine assembler
marine engine builder
electric motor assembler
gas turbine engine assembler
boat engine builder
nuclear reactor assembler
dual fuel engine assembler
boat engine assembler/tester
marine steam engine assembler
four-stroke diesel engine assembler
outboard motor assembler
two-stroke diesel engineer assembler
marine engine assembler/tester
LNG engine assembler
liquid natural gas engine assembler

A high school diploma is typically required to work as a vessel engine assembler. Employers usually provide on-the-job training.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Vessel engine assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to vessel engine assembler.

aircraft engine assembler
motor vehicle engine assembler
aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician
motor vehicle parts assembler
aircraft de-icer installer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of vessel engine assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of vessel engine assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

rolling stock engine tester
vessel engine tester
aircraft engine tester
motor vehicle engine tester
vessel engine inspector

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of vessel engine assembler.

• Operation of different engines: Know the characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.
• Mechanics of vessels: The mechanics involved in boats and ships. Understand the technicalities and participate in discussions over related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
• Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

These skills are necessary for the role of vessel engine assembler.

• Bolt engine parts: Securely bolt together engine components manually or using power tools.
• Apply preliminary treatment to workpieces: Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Ensure vessel compliance with regulations: Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of vessel engine assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Rivet types: The various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of vessel engine assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Repair engines: Repair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.
• Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Diagnose defective engines: Diagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.
• Operate handheld riveting equipment: Operate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• Use CAM software: Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
• Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
• Re-assemble engines: Re-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Clean components during assembly: Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
• Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
• Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
• Send faulty equipment back to assembly line: Send equipment that didn’t pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
• Tend riveting machine: Tend a metalworking machine designed to join metal pieces by automatically shooting mechanical fasteners, rivets, into them, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
• Set up automotive robot: Set up and programme an automotive robot working on machine processes and substituting or collaboratively supporting human labour, such as the six-axis automotive robot.
• Position engine on test stand: Position the engine on a stand or in a cell, ready for testing, by using a hoist or overhead crane.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.
• Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

8211 – Mechanical machinery assemblers

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: By Yannick Bammert – 20100131-DSC_2279, CC BY 2.0