Senior Engineer, Structures

Irving Shipbuilding; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Irving Shipbuilding in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is seeking a Naval Architect – Structures Engineer. This role involves overseeing design and engineering support throughout project stages for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard vessels. Candidates should have a degree in Engineering, ideally with a focus on Naval Architecture, and 4–10 years of experience in ship design or construction. The position requires a full-time, in-office presence and is a great opportunity to contribute to significant shipbuilding programs.

Qualifications

• 4–10 years of experience in ship design or construction.
• Knowledge of naval construction practices and regulations.
• Understanding of shipyard disciplines related to structural design.

Responsibilities

• Manage engineering work within assigned scope.
• Develop low-complexity engineering deliverables.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks.

Skills

Naval or modern ship design

Technical oversight

Risk-based decision making

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) or equivalent

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation

Degree in Naval Architecture

Job description

Job Description

Join a team building the future fleet of Canada. As a valued member of the Hull Engineering group, the Naval Architect – Structures Engineer will play a key role in the design, construction, testing/commissioning, and delivery of Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard vessels. This is a unique opportunity to apply your technical expertise to some of the most complex and impactful shipbuilding programs in the country.

Reporting to the Naval Architecture & Structures Team Lead, the Structures Engineer works independently to provide technical oversight and support throughout all project stages. You will review structural designs and engineering products, ensure compliance with customer and classification requirements, and develop practical solutions to technical challenges encountered during construction. This role offers a dynamic blend of office‑based engineering work and hands‑on problem‑solving in an industrial shipyard environment. You will leverage both theoretical knowledge and practical engineering principles to drive high‑quality, efficient outcomes for major new‑build programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage planned and emergent engineering work within assigned scope.
• Support both internal and external stakeholders with technical expertise.
• Develop routine or low‑complexity engineering deliverables.
• Review technical reports, calculations, models, and specifications produced by subcontractors and partners.
• Author and maintain processes and procedures for recurring engineering tasks within the discipline.
• Identify and develop mitigation strategies for discipline‑specific technical risks.
• Apply risk‑based decision making to resolve technical challenges.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in engineering practices, workflows, or outputs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) or equivalent; Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation (or equivalent).
• Degree in Naval Architecture considered an asset.
• Knowledge of naval or modern ship design and construction practices.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and regulations (e.g., Lloyd’s Register, Transport Canada, IMO, IACS).
• Understanding of scheduling and the ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Working knowledge of shipyard disciplines related to structural design and construction (hull structure, arrangements, producibility, manufacturing).
• Experience or academic exposure to marine engineering or shipbuilding (e.g., co‑op placements, coursework).
• 4–10 years of experience in ship design, ship construction, or a related complex industrial/manufacturing environment.

Due to the nature of work Irving Shipbuilding does, all successful applicants must meet requirements for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Canadian Government Security clearance, and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Please note this position requires a full‑time, in‑office presence.

We appreciate your interest in our company; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates, including racially visible persons, women in underrepresented roles, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and encourage applicants to self‑identify. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability can be made at any stage of application and employment.