I have just graduated as a mechanical engineering major. I am trying to decide on what I want to do with my life. Going the usual route: boeing, raytheon, bae…etc etc…seems unappealing to me. I was wondering if mechanical engineers are commonly called upon during the designing of yachts and boats, and if so, if a BS is adequate to get started at an entry level? And on top of that what search terms should I be using to find such companies/businesses?
I was a technical writer for the Luhrs / Mainship Corp for over 5 years. We had a couple of Mechanical Engineers that worked in our engineering department. They weren’t exactly performing the normal duties you would think of as a mech engineer but they did design units or systems in 3-D cad programs like Pro E and Solid Works.
The only mechanical systems that I remember those guys doing were like the A/C heating venting, some plumbing, intakes, discharges and stuff like that. Most of the mechanical systems like powering etc were designed by engine manufacturers.
To find these of course would vary from state to state in the US, but I do remember seeing an article in a fishing magazine (sorry can’t remember which one) but it listed all the boat manufacturers in the state of FL for instance and there were like a hundred or so. I do know personally the head engineers at Pursuit, Luhrs / Mainship, Hunter, and Hatteras. I know these guys are always in search of fresh ideas from creative people.
I am currently working on my BS in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and a fair amount of the ME side involves mechanical engineering. For example, I just completed a semester course in Machine Design, which involved shaft alignment and stresses, threaded fasteners, fatigue stress and life, roller and journal bearings, and gear sets. That all seems pretty mechanical to me.
I would assume that having a BS in Mechanical engineering would be sufficient to get jobs that involve mechanical things in boats. If you are really serious about getting into small craft work, you could perhaps get an Associates of Science in Small Craft design from Maine Maritime Academy (in partnership with the Landing School), or , if you are REALLY serious, you can try getting another BS in Marine Engineering and/or Naval Architecture from either University of Michigan, or Webb Institute (on Long Island)
I personally go to Webb, and one of the guys in my class did three years of a mechanical engineering degree at Drexel before coming here. If you decide to go that route, I would recommend Webb. They produce some of the best NA’s and ME’s around. The focus is more on large ships; however, there are quite a few people who go into yachts- a Webb grad is the chief Naval Architect at Westport yachts in Washington, and one of the graduates from last year is working at Farr Yachts in Annapolis, in addition to a bunch of others.
Just a couple ideas to mull over. . . hope it helped!