Ocean engineering is a multidisciplinary field aimed at solving engineering problems associated with working in the ocean environment and wisely exploring and harnessing the ocean's resources.

Ocean engineers design, build, operate and maintain ships, offshore structures and a variety of ocean technologies including aircraft carriers, submarines, sailboats, tankers, tugboats, yachts, oil rigs, underwater robots and acoustic sonar.

Ocean engineers study the oceans to determine the effects of waves, currents and the salt water environment on ships and other marine vehicles and structures and develop methods and materials to withstand wave forces and protect against corrosion. Ocean engineers are also involved in development and use of manned and remotely operated sub-surface vehicles for deep-sea exploration and resource recovery. An ocean engineer, Dr. Robert Ballard, located the wreckage of the Titanic.