ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Naval Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsNaval Engineer JobsNaval Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Naval Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$31.4K

$88.5K

$150.4K

How much do naval engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for naval engineer in Seattle, WA is $88,461.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,891.00 and $104,443.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a naval engineer do?

A Naval Engineer designs, develops, and maintains ships, submarines, and other marine vessels and structures. Their work involves ensuring the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of these vessels by working on propulsion systems, hull design, and onboard systems. They may also be involved in overseeing construction, conducting sea trials, and performing repairs or upgrades. Naval Engineers work both onshore and at sea, collaborating with naval architects and other engineering professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a naval engineer?

To thrive as a Naval Engineer, you need a solid background in marine engineering, naval architecture, and applied mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and, often, professional certification such as a PE license. Familiarity with CAD software, ship design tools, and simulation systems is crucial for designing and testing maritime vessels. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing complex engineering challenges. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative development of naval vessels that meet rigorous operational and regulatory standards.

What are some typical projects or tasks a naval engineer might work on within a multidisciplinary team?

Naval Engineers often collaborate with naval architects, electrical engineers, and project managers to design, build, and maintain ships, submarines, and other marine vessels. Typical tasks include drafting technical specifications, overseeing the installation of propulsion systems, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Working closely with cross-functional teams is essential, as projects often require integrating new technologies, coordinating sea trials, and addressing real-time challenges that arise during construction or repair processes.

What is the difference between Naval Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectNaval EngineerMarine Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related; Marine Engineer license may be required
Work EnvironmentShipyards, naval defense facilities, government agencies, ship design firmsShipyards, commercial shipping companies, maintenance facilities, offshore industries
Industry UsageDesign and development of naval ships, submarines, defense vesselsDesign, construction, and maintenance of commercial ships, engines, and propulsion systems

Naval Engineers focus on designing and developing military ships and submarines, often working in defense and government sectors. Marine Engineers typically work on commercial vessels and propulsion systems, emphasizing ship operation and maintenance. While both roles require engineering credentials and involve ship-related work, their industries and project types differ significantly.

Is naval engineering a good career?

Naval engineering is a specialized field focused on designing, building, and maintaining ships and maritime structures, often requiring knowledge of fluid dynamics, materials, and systems integration. It offers opportunities in defense, commercial shipping, and research, with a demand for technical skills and certifications. The career can be stable and rewarding for those interested in maritime technology and engineering challenges.

What can you do with a naval engineer degree?

A naval engineer degree prepares individuals for designing, building, and maintaining ships, submarines, and other marine vessels. Graduates can work in shipbuilding companies, defense contractors, or maritime industries, often utilizing skills in fluid dynamics, materials science, and CAD software. Certification and security clearances may be required for certain defense-related roles.

What does a naval engineer make?

A naval engineer typically earns a salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. They work on designing, building, and maintaining ships, submarines, and other maritime vessels, often requiring knowledge of engineering principles, materials, and systems. Salaries can vary based on industry, employer, and level of responsibility.

What are popular job titles related to Naval Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Naval Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Naval Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Naval Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Naval Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Naval Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,461 per year, or $42.5 per hour.

SUPERVISORY NAVAL ARCHITECT

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Bremerton, WA • On-site

$131K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

You will serve as a SUPERVISORY NAVAL ARCHITECT in the OCEAN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT of PSNS and IMF.Qualifications:Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: as a professional Naval Architect overseeing the development of complex designs and specifications for deep submergence and ocean engineering systems projects scheduled for alteration, repair, rebuilding, conversion, modernization, or rehabilitation.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)*1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)*2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
*1 For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org.
*2 The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above, except as noted under B.1., may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors indicate otherwise.Employment Type: OTHER

What U.S. Department Of Defense employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply