What jobs did sailors have on a sailing ship in the 1500's?

The positions on a sailing ship might include the captain, the executive officer, first mate, second mate, navigator, logbook keeper, master-at-arms, and ship's doctor (ship's surgeon) who was often not an actual medical doctor. Larger crews might include a purser (finance), quartermaster, and chaplain.

Common seamen might be designated "captain of the foretop" or similar specific duties. Positions included the cook, coxswain, yeoman, gunsmith, gunner, armorer, or sailmaker. The terms "midshipman" and "master's mate" originally referred to seamen and later to junior officers and petty officers.

(for a chart of Royal Navy positions, see the related link)