A close-up of an ocean wave from it's edge as the water curls over to form a tunnel.

Ocean Engineering

Ocean, coastal, naval and marine engineers focus on solving the complex challenges associated with our growing use and stewardship of oceans and coastal regions.

Their work spans key areas such as maritime transportation, offshore and renewable energy, sustainable fisheries, coastal recreation and marine waste management. These engineers apply expertise in fluid dynamics, structural design and environmental science to develop innovative technologies and resilient systems that promote the safe, efficient and sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources now and into the future.

Ocean Engineering at Stevens

Ocean Engineering at Stevens offers comprehensive education related to design and evaluation of marine systems (ships, underwater vehicles, wave energy converters, etc.) and development, maintenance and protection of coastal areas (sustainable use of ocean resources, impact of climate change and sea level rise, and prediction and recovery from coastal flooding). According to Bankrate.com, naval architecture and marine engineering was identified in 2019 as the most valuable among 162 college majors.

Davidson Laboratory

WATCH: Wave Energy is the Wave of the Future

Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering Department Chair and Davidson Center Director Muhammad Hajj discusses the future of waves as a renewable energy source.

Wave energy converter being tested in Davidson LabBroad-Based Curriculum

Stevens’ ocean and naval engineering programs offer a multidisciplinary education grounded in physical sciences, mathematics, and systems engineering. Students gain specialized knowledge in naval architecture, marine and environmental engineering, and coastal resilience, while developing hands-on skills through access to world-class facilities like the Davidson Laboratory.

A pair of hands working a control panel in the Davidson Lab at Stevens.Real World Experience

At Stevens, our professors prepare you to design, build, operate and maintain ships and other waterborne vessels and oceanographic technology through hands-on design projects and co-op experience. Studying in the heart of the New York City metropolitan area, you are afforded the opportunity to work with a living laboratory in the New York harbor and New Jersey coast, and the Davidson Laboratory offers a state-of-the-art facility for research. Collaborations with government and private companies in design and testing ensure that you'll receive the technical knowledge and practical experience necessary to thrive in the professional world.

Related Degrees

Students in the civil, environmental, and ocean engineering department have the opportunity to pursue ocean engineering degrees both as undergraduates and graduates.

A solar panel highlighted in green sitting on a roof next to Stevens campus with a view of Manhattan.

Greener, Cleaner — and Smarter

The Stevens Center for Sustainability aims to provide a collaborative, cross-disciplinary platform for researchers to solve critical problems faced by humanity, particularly within communities overburdened by climate change's effects.

Testing boat hulls in Davidson lab

Careers in Ocean Engineering

An ocean engineering career incorporates design, management and leadership, and offers excellent opportunities for advancement. A degree from Stevens is applicable to a wide range of careers involving ocean and atmospheric modeling, sediment transport, green infrastructure design, environmental fluid mechanics, estuarine and coastal ocean modeling, motion of vessels in waves, underwater acoustics, renewable energy and urban and coastal resilience.

Some common ocean engineering career tracks include:

  • Coastal Engineer

  • Maritime Security Expert

  • Naval Architect 

  • Coastal Scientist 

  • Physical Oceanographer 

  • Shoreline Restoration Specialist

  • Dredging Engineer

  • Ocean/Marine Engineering  

  • Underwater Systems Engineer

  • Petroleum Engineer 

  • Marine Field Engineer

Top coastal engineering hiring firms: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HDR, Mott MacDonald, COWI, FEMA

Top naval engineering hiring firms: Naval Surface Warfare Center, American Bureau of Shipping, Gibbs & Cox, Lockheed Martin, Navatek, General Dynamics Electric Boat

Take advantage of such a unique concentration with a broad spectrum of job opportunities. The knowledge and experiences you will get with this degree can be applied to so many fields and disciplines that you should never feel restricted in choosing Naval Engineering as your major.
Jack BonoliNaval Engineering Graduate