Emma Passariello enters the spotlight with a background that blends deep academic study and extensive real-world engineering experience. She is a naval architecture and marine engineering student from Westbury, New York, currently completing her Bachelor of Engineering degree at the Webb Institute. The institute is known for its intensely rigorous curriculum and its focus on producing engineers who understand every aspect of naval vessel design. Through her training, Emma has studied hydrodynamics, stability, structural calculations, shipboard systems, propulsion, and engineering mechanics, building a foundation that positions her for a future in ship design and maritime engineering.

Her program includes significant hands-on work, laboratory research, and model testing, giving her experience with both computational tools and physical hydrodynamic data. She has worked through advanced coursework ranging from Calculus I and II to marine engineering fundamentals, each contributing to the multidisciplinary skill set required for a naval architect. This thorough grounding allows her to engage confidently with both theoretical questions and practical engineering challenges.

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Industry Internships Spanning Shipyards, Research Labs, and Salvage Engineering

Emma’s background is distinguished by a remarkably broad range of internships across the maritime industry—more than many early-career engineers achieve before graduation. She has worked with H2M architects + engineers, Resolve Marine, the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Stolt Tankers, and Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Company. Each position exposed her to different aspects of vessel design and real-world operations.

Her salvage engineering work at Resolve Marine included hydrodynamic modeling, structural sizing, GHS seakeeping simulations, and rigging considerations for complex heavy-lift scenarios. At MARIN, she engaged with offshore transport research and hydrodynamic testing, gaining experience with model data, vessel motion analysis, and seakeeping performance. Her internship at ABS added regulatory experience, including emissions reporting systems and classification-driven structural review.

She also gained hands-on operational experience working aboard tankers at sea. This time included standing watch in both deck and engine departments, performing routine maintenance tasks, documenting shipboard systems, and observing mechanical operations firsthand. Her exposure to shipyard work at Caddell introduced her to refit activities, repair planning, and workboat design considerations. Together, these roles show a level of practical engagement rarely seen in undergraduate engineers.

Technical Software Skills and Applied Engineering Tools

Emma is trained in a wide array of engineering and naval architecture tools used across the industry. Her software experience includes AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, SOLIDWORKS, and NavCad, all central to vessel modeling, drafting, and performance prediction. She is proficient in GHS for hydrostatics and stability analysis, and she has worked with finite element analysis packages used for structural modeling and load calculations.

Beyond specialized tools, she is experienced with Microsoft Office for data processing and technical reporting. Her software proficiency supports her ability to document engineering work thoroughly, analyze large volumes of data, and prepare technical material that aligns with industry standards. She is also certified as an Engineer in Training (EIT) through NCEES, marking a significant professional milestone on the path to eventual Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.

Early Engineering Outreach and Teaching Experience

Alongside her internships, Emma has spent multiple summers serving as a counselor for the Webb Institute engineering camp. In this role, she worked with high school students to build mechanical and marine-focused projects, teaching them how to design pumps, cranes, and small plywood boats. Her outreach work shows an interest not only in advancing her own skills but also in mentoring younger students, helping introduce them to engineering principles through hands-on projects.

These experiences highlight her communication abilities and reflect a well-rounded developing engineer who understands both the practical and educational sides of the field. The combination of teaching, field experience, and academic rigor strengthens her ability to work across interdisciplinary teams, a necessary component of modern naval architecture.

Career Goals and Professional Identity

Emma continues to expand her professional knowledge through internships, coursework, and fieldwork across the Northeast, Texas, Florida, and New York shipyards. She remains open to opportunities in marine design, shipyard engineering, hydrodynamics research, and classification-related technical work. Her long-term goals point toward a sustained career within the maritime industry, building on her strong academic foundation and broad technical background.

Based on her name and familial background, she is likely American with European—possibly Italian—heritage. She also speaks Hungarian, adding an international dimension to her technical profile. With her ambitious approach, diverse skill set, and field experience, she stands out as a promising future naval architect poised to make a meaningful impact in the maritime engineering world.

Emma Passariello — Profile Summary Table