🌊 Thinking about a career in maritime?

From shipbuilding and robotics to ocean science and offshore energy, the UK maritime sector is full of opportunities. The SMI Student & Early Careers Hub is here to guide you. Whether you’re just starting out or already studying, we’ll help you find the right routes into maritime engineering, science and technology. Below you'll find details on internships, placements and career pathways — plus tips on how to build experience and connect with industry while you study.

Find internships, placements and early career roles

1) Explore employer career pages
Most maritime companies have a “careers” or “early careers” section with details of:

• Apprenticeships
• Summer placements
• Internships
• Graduate pathways

SMI members work across areas like:

• Shipbuilding and repair, design and consultancy
• Autonomy, robotics, AI and software
• Marine science, ocean data, survey and environmental services
• Ports, logistics and maritime services
• Offshore renewables, subsea and energy

👉 Check out our SMI Member Directory to find employers and explore their career pages.

2) Check trusted opportunity platforms

Use student and graduate job sites to look for placements and internships. Try search terms like maritime, marine, naval architecture, ocean data, robotics, offshore, ports, shipbuilding, autonomy.

Examples of these platforms include: 

• Gradcracker
• Prosple
• Milkround
• Bright Network

3) Explore public sector routes

Government organisations also hire into maritime – from safety and regulation to hydrography and research. Look at official sites like the Civil Service Jobs portal.

💡 Tip: Set up alerts for your chosen keywords and locations so you don’t miss deadlines.

Build experience while you learn

• Join relevant clubs or project teams, for example robotics, data, sustainability or coding
• Enter challenges and hackathons, including marine technology and autonomy competitions
• Attend SMI events to meet employers and hear about real projects
• Ask about site visits, many organisations can host small groups
• Take on short research projects with tutors or mentors linked to industry

Skills Employers Look For

Maritime is changing fast. Employers value:

• Digital and data skills
• Teamwork and problem-solving
• Sustainability knowledge
• Practical engineering experience
• Curiosity and adaptability

💡 Think about how your current studies, projects or hobbies already demonstrate these.

Get Involved with SMI

Being part of the maritime community isn’t just about applying for jobs, it’s about building networks, learning from professionals and experiencing the sector first-hand. Here are some ways you can connect with us and boost your CV while you study:

• SMIFutures Events - meet employers, hear from recent graduates, and get advice on routes into maritime. These events are designed for students and early-career professionals, giving you a chance to ask questions and build contacts.
• Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge) - work with a team to design, build and test autonomous marine vessels. It’s a hands-on way to apply your studies, learn new skills, and showcase your creativity to industry judges.

• Annual SMI Conference & Networking - our flagship conference brings together leaders from across shipbuilding, ports, technology, and research. Student tickets are often available, giving you a unique insight into the issues shaping the sector — and the chance to meet potential employers.

👉 Check our Events page for what’s coming up.

👉 Learn more about SMIFutures and contact the board members for guidance.

Maritime UK

For a big-picture view of the whole sector, visit the Maritime UK Careers Hub. You’ll find:

• Clear overviews of career paths — from ports and shipping to design, finance and sustainability
• Routes into maritime, from apprenticeships to university study
• Dedicated pages for students, teachers and Maritime Ambassadors

A Few Things to Note

• SMI isn’t an employer – we’re here to connect you with opportunities and point you to trusted resources.
• Always double-check deadlines and eligibility on the original site (don’t miss out!).
• We don’t “endorse” specific employers – for impartial career advice, your college or university careers team is a great shout.
• If you are at university, look out for careers fairs, employer talks and insight days. Your careers service will have dates and sign-up details. 
• If you are at college or on an apprenticeship, check your provider’s careers pages for careers fairs, employer talks and site visits.

Useful Resources

Featured article: Maritime careers – Getting on board
A practical, first-hand perspective on routes into maritime, the value of cadetships, sea-to-shore pathways and wellbeing. Author: Jevgenijs Kuranovs AFNI. 

Read the article: Maritime careers – Getting on board 

Credit: The Nautical Institute. Used with permission.

FAQ's

Do you list internships on this page?
No. To make sure you always get up-to-date info, we link you to employer and official sites.

Can SMI introduce me to a company?
Not directly — but our events are a great way to meet people yourself.

Are international students eligible?
It depends on the role and the employer. Always check the original listing and talk to the hiring team.

Get in touch

For questions about the Student Hub or SMIFutures please email: SMIFutures(at)maritimeindustries.org
LinkedIn: SMIFutures LinkedIn Group

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