Personally, I am level 100.
I would show you my status but I cant up load photos atm, but
Size Class: Light Cruiser
Space: 230 / 240
Attack: 1359
Defense: 399
Scan: 56
Cloak: 5
Cargo: 2569 / 3535
Upkeep: 63.7M
Konqul: Attack +20%
Fixer: Hull +30%
hull:4163
Shield:405
Energy: 726
240 Decks
3535 Cargo
726 Engineers
620 Tactical Officers
254 Helmsmen
358 Scientists
Basically I worked on being a small ship class, I wont add on anymore decks till I get to level 240. I don't really die. I think I have only died 30 times in playing in 8 months?
I worked on really hard getting my badges at the start of the game, yellow and red for good space with guns/hull. I would add my other stuff but not till 240. I personally only every put rank points in energy/attack and at the start a few decks. I got the rest from a high art income, which makes you really strong. My decks/shields/defense/cargo comes from that. (I have never put rank points in those 4)
As for some advice, I would personally change race to Konqual, Fixer for the 20% attack buff and 30% buff on hull. It makes it a lot easier and people tend to avoid you in the battle tab because makes you that little bit harder to kill then everyone else.
I have 5 things in hull installed, 3x Core Neutronium Armor and Protean Armory x2 (Protean Armory is really important!) With my buff still gives me more hull then you, with heaps less decks as well. That way have more space for weapons etc.
I keep 50 scan on for NPCS, that why you can find the npc that gives the Terraforming device, which of course in missions gives you a planet that can never been taken/ or give.
Though I do have small ship build means I take less attack per hit, It means when I do scan runs etc.. I have to take everything off and install it again

Which isn't a big deal, just takes a little extra time.
The best thing about this game is that there is no right way

Its they way you want to build your ship!
I am personally copying a ship called Golgotha, which is now considered chuck Norris.

(because he is really really hard to kill, online)
So my ship maybe seen as weak now, but as I get further in the game, I'll be really strong!
If you want anymore help

feel free to message!

Good luck and enjoy the game!