Engineering Officer

Administered normal operation and maintenance of propulsion plants (including operation and maintenance of associated equipment) and of auxiliary machinery and piping systems.  Directed control of damage, operation and maintenance of systems, repairs to ships’ hull and repairs to material equipment of other departments when required.  Controlled and directed normal non-propulsion activities. Maintains standards by directing performance of such functions as inspections and physical, chemical, qualification and nondestructive tests. Develops and implements policies for assuring conformance to technical requirements. Provides technical engineering advice. Assists on problems of completion, acceptance and operation of vessels. Arranges for performance of work and establishes financial basis for agreement.   Develops training program. Executes assigned research and development. Maintains liaison between head of naval mission, attache, maritime or space agencies, etc., and headquarters command regarding ship construction, conversion and repair and design and installation of systems and equipment. Maintains cognizance of problem area and status of projects.

The organization of each engineering department varies according to the size of the ship and the engineering plant. Smaller ships, because of the smaller number of engineering ratings aboard, combine many ratings into one division. For example, forces afloat, such as repair ships and tenders, have a separate repair department with many engineering ratings responsible for off-ship repair and maintenance. These ships also have a standard ship’s force engineering department.