What are the skills and competencies required for integrated ship systems engineering?

1 Systems thinking

Systems thinking is the ability to understand how different components of a system interact and influence each other, as well as the system's behavior, performance, and goals. Systems thinking helps you to identify problems, solutions, trade-offs, and risks in a holistic and systemic way. You also need to consider the human, environmental, and operational factors that affect the system's design and operation.

2 Technical knowledge

Technical knowledge is the foundation of ISSE. You need to have a solid grasp of the principles, methods, and tools of engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, software, and naval architecture. You also need to be familiar with the standards, regulations, and best practices of the maritime industry and the specific domain of your project. You need to keep up with the latest technologies and innovations that can improve the performance, efficiency, and safety of ship systems.

3 Communication skills

Communication skills are essential for ISSE. You need to be able to communicate effectively with different stakeholders, such as clients, managers, colleagues, suppliers, contractors, regulators, and end-users. You need to be able to express your ideas, requirements, specifications, designs, and solutions clearly and concisely, using appropriate language, formats, and media. You also need to be able to listen, understand, and respond to feedback, questions, and concerns from others.

4 Teamwork skills

Teamwork skills are crucial for ISSE. You need to be able to work collaboratively with other engineers, technicians, and specialists from different disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures. You need to be able to share information, resources, and responsibilities, as well as coordinate, integrate, and align your work with others. You also need to be able to respect, support, and trust your team members, as well as resolve conflicts and issues constructively.

5 Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are vital for ISSE. You need to be able to identify, analyze, and solve complex and dynamic problems that arise in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of ship systems. You need to be able to apply logical, creative, and critical thinking, as well as engineering methods and tools, to generate feasible and optimal solutions. You also need to be able to evaluate, validate, and test your solutions, as well as monitor and improve them.

6 Project management skills

Project management skills are important for ISSE. You need to be able to plan, organize, execute, and control your projects effectively and efficiently. You need to be able to define the scope, objectives, deliverables, and milestones of your projects, as well as allocate the resources, budget, and time. You also need to be able to manage the risks, uncertainties, and changes that may occur during your projects, as well as report and document your progress and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?