Navy Civilian Engineer Development Program - Discipline Examples
The following are examples only and not the full collection of disciplines accepted into the Civilian Engineer Development Program.
Chemical Engineers
As a chemical engineer within Navy you will have the opportunity to work within a highly technical and evolving discipline.
The main emphasis of this discipline is in the area of explosive ordnance engineering. As this is an extremely specialised field, there is a low expectation that a chemical engineer will hold all the required knowledge. Therefore the candidate may possibly be selected in due course (i.e., after completion of your graduate program) to undertake the Masters of Science in (Explosive Ordnance Engineering) currently run in the UK. The ideal candidate must have a high level and broad range of chemical engineering knowledge with strong critical problem solving skills.
As a junior engineer you will perform duties in support of the fleet including: undertake analysis of energetic material and provide recommendations on safety and performance parameters of a variety of energetics including, but not limited to, undertaking desktop review of future weapon system requirements and specifications, acquisition and through-life support, life extension reports, undertaking safety investigations, and handling and stowage of explosive ordnance on ships and submarines.
Communications Engineers
Navy communications engineers are responsible for the planning and design, commissioning, performance monitoring, optimisation and management of complex telecommunications systems. The communications networks technology cells are Navy’s single point of contact and centre of excellence activities. They provide expertise in the field of naval platform communications systems for major and minor projects, radio positioning systems (RPS, GPS) and terrestrial satellite communications.
Communications engineers ensure the Navy is provided with communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems that facilitate effective command and control and enables the right capability and information to be provided to the right people at the right time. Engineers working in these fields are innovators who perceive opportunities, frame problems, and present solutions compatible with the mission environment.
Computer Engineers
Today’s Navy is equipped with state of the art computer technology and there’s an increasing demand for engineers who are computing specialists. As a computer systems engineer within Navy you will have the opportunity to work in this highly sophisticated discipline. Computer engineering projects are focused on the interaction between computers and other engineering systems.
Electrical Engineers
The main emphasis of this discipline is in the area of generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation of energy and integrated automation. This encompasses two major activities - integrated control of propulsion, auxiliary machinery, plant, other electrical powered equipment and mechatronics and micro electromechanical systems.
As a junior engineer you will perform duties in support of the fleet including system specification, acquisition and through-life support, system certification and electrical system-trials.
Electronics Engineers
Electronics engineers work in an exciting profession engaging in analysis and design and operation of sophisticated hardware and software systems. As with all fields of engineering, electronics engineering is complex and demanding, requiring talented, creative and highly-motivated people. If you are considering furthering your career as an electronics engineer with Navy you will need well developed skills in mathematics and the physical sciences. In addition, all engineers are required to have good written and oral communication skills.
Materials Engineers
As a materials engineer in Navy, you will have the opportunity to work within a diverse discipline that interacts with all other engineering disciplines.
Materials engineering is involved in design, construction, maintenance, through life support and disposal of naval vessels and equipment. In addition to selection of materials to meet structural and performance requirements there is a strong need to consider health, safety and environment aspects of materials use and disposal. Because of the corrosive nature of the marine environment there is emphasis on corrosion control and preservation, including coatings. Control of marine fouling by selection of materials and use of antifouling coatings is an important part of Navy's environmental management. The materials engineer needs to work with a range of people including researchers, technical specialists, maintainers and users.
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical Engineering is the most diverse of the engineering disciplines in terms of both the platforms and equipment it serves and the activities which it involves. The activities of Mechanical Engineers are essential to Navy in building and maintaining capability. The Professional mechanical engineer will be exposed to experimentation, ship and industry trials, Industry visits, design activities, technology development and mechanical related computer application activities. The Program supports the development of leadership skills, initiative, self-reliance, personal and group organisation skills and a sense of group responsibility and accountability.
Mechatronics Engineers
The need for professionals in this growth discipline is rapidly increasing. As a mechatronics engineer within Navy you will have the opportunity to work within the challenging and exciting hybrid discipline of mechanics, electronics and computing. Mechatronic Engineers work at the cutting edge of technology and are an essential element of the Navy engineering organisation. Engineers are given a wide variety of employment opportunities in maritime based specialities. Within the maritime environment, Mechatronic Engineering concentrates on activities centred around the application of the latest techniques in precision mechanical engineering, electronic and computer control, computing systems thinking and sensor and actuator technology to design and improve equipment and processes. This includes 'intelligent' machines, robotics, equipment automation and the synthesis of mechanical systems, computer systems and electronics. Mechatronics design covers a wide variety of naval applications from the physical integration and miniaturisation of electronic controllers within mechanical propulsion systems to the control of sophisticated hydraulically driven weapons systems.
Naval Architects
As a Naval Architect within Navy you will have the opportunity to work within a traditional yet exciting discipline.
Naval architects are involved in design, construction, quality control, maintenance & repair, through life support and new construction work of naval vessels. Naval Architects within Navy will become familiar with (if not specialists in) design, structures, hydrostatics and stability, hydrodynamics, underwater appendages, economics, marine engines, hydraulics, electrical equipment, control systems, and other systems such as cargo, anchoring, steering, lifesaving, and pollution control. To undertake all these tasks the Naval Architect must have an understanding of many branches of engineering and must be in the forefront of high technology areas such as computer aided design and calculation. They must be able to effectively utilise the services provided by the many other areas of expertise.
A Naval Architect requires a creative, enquiring and logical mind; the ability to communicate clearly in speech and writing with others inside and outside the engineering profession; sound judgement and qualities of leadership. The education and training given to the Naval Architect is designed to develop these skills and to lead them to recognised qualifications and professional status. Modern engineering on this scale is essentially a team activity conducted by professional engineers in their respective fields and disciplines. However, it is the Naval Architect who integrates their activities and takes ultimate responsibility of the overall project. This demanding leadership role requires managerial qualities and an ability to bring together the often-conflicting demands of the various professional engineering disciplines involved. In addition to this vital managerial role, the Naval Architect also has a specialist function in ensuring that a safe, economic and seaworthy design is produced.
