Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. (January 9, 2025): Most people do not realize the sheer number of engineering jobs available in a massive organization like the U.S. Navy. With approximately 450,000 Sailors manning three hundred ships and submarines and flying 3,700 aircraft, the Navy needs enlisted engineers. In this photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Hall, Sailors practice installing a flange shield on a valve, one of many engineering tasks they will encounter once aboard ship. The Navy’s Surface Warfare Engineering School offers a variety of engineering courses that provide both technical and on-the-job experience in nearly every field of engineering.

The road to a Navy engineering career begins with the Basic Engineering Common Core, a ten-week program on mechanical theory, piping systems, the Navy’s Maintenance Material Management System, and essential safety precautions. From there, the majority of students advance to the Engineering Professional Apprenticeship Career Track. This 34-day course delves deeper into various engineering skills students will need as they start their careers.

Those choosing to serve aboard ship have the option of following the Surface Professional Apprenticeship Career Track. Also called the Boatswain’s Mate “A” school, the program offers junior Sailors hands-on training about basic seamanship. Others will opt for managing Gas turbine systems, while still others may gravitate towards materials testing and avionics. The Navy instructors teaching these courses are all senior non-commissioned officers who have completed successful tours at sea.

Regardless of interest, the Navy is wide open to young people seeking a career in the blossoming field of naval engineering.