Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect)

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

25 days annual leave

Bank Holidays

Career development opportunities

Flexible working options

Job summary

The Department for Transport's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) invites applications for an Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect) in Southampton. You will lead investigations, gather evidence, interview witnesses, draft reports, provide specialist naval architecture expertise, and represent MAIB internationally.

This role requires a degree in Naval Architecture or Ship Science, Chartered status, a UK driving licence, and strong communication and diplomatic skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture or Ship Science and Chartered status are required.
• A UK driving licence is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication and diplomatic skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into marine accidents.
• Gather and analyse evidence, interview witnesses and draft reports.
• Provide specialist naval architecture expertise and represent MAIB externally.
• Engage with industry groups and deploy to accident sites worldwide.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Diplomacy

Teamwork

Education

BEng/BSc in Naval Architecture or Ship Science

Chartered Naval Architect

UK Driving Licence

Job description

480364 Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect)

Department for Transport

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 5th October 2026

Location:

Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary:

£84,838 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Join the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), an independent part of the Department for Transport dedicated to improving maritime safety through the investigation of marine accidents and incidents. As an Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect), you will lead investigations, gather and analyse evidence, interview witnesses, produce reports and recommendations, provide specialist naval architecture expertise, and represent MAIB externally. This varied role involves worldwide deployments, working within a multidisciplinary team to identify causes and prevent future accidents. The Branch is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents involving UK vessels anywhere in the world, and any vessels within UK territorial waters, with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The Branch is not responsible for apportioning blame or liability, nor does it enforce laws or carry out prosecutions.

The MAIB comprises 34 specialist and administrative staff. Inspectors are divided into four teams each headed by a Principal Inspector.

Top Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• deploying to accident sites and leading investigations;
• collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses;
• conducting detailed analysis in order to identify safety issues and draft recommendations;
• writing investigation reports and safety bulletins;
• giving evidence at inquests and fatal accident inquiries;
• provision of inhouse naval architecture expertise;
• representing MAIB at industry working groups.

Special Features of the Role

Your commitment to deploy will be managed through a duty system whereby 4 duty teams rotate through a weekly cycle.

During your duty week you will need to be available to travel to accident sites at 2 hours’ notice. The following week (standby) you will be at 6 hours’ notice to fill in for or assist the duty team if it is deployed.

For weeks 3 and 4 of the cycle you will be expected to be contactable and available to deploy unless otherwise agreed. Duty rosters are published well in advance to enable you to plan ahead, and flexibility is possible to accommodate important family events and other commitments.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• working in an environment where delivery of evidence-based output, based on structured analytical techniques, has been a primary requirement;
• have the confidence and technical background to enable you to tackle accident investigations involving vessels of all types;
• working with others to solve a complex and/or multi-disciplinary problem, and then using the output of that work to successfully address a real-world challenge;
• considerable diplomatic skills, be comfortable engaging with people from all walks of life, and be empathetic when dealing with the victims, next‑of‑kin and others affected by marine accidents.
• have excellent verbal and written communication skills

Qualifications

You must hold:

• BEng/BSc, or higher, degree in Naval Architecture or Ship Science;
• Chartered status as a naval architect;
• A full driving licence valid in the UK.

Additional Information

Due to the nature of MAIB operations, you will be required to undertake physical activities such as working in disrupted environments, confined spaces and boarding vessels by pilot or shoreside ladders.

You will also be exposed to situations, information, and material that may be potentially traumatic. We therefore advise candidates to consider these requirements before applying.

Applicants, who are successful at sift, will be required to participate in a wellbeing and traumatic stress risk review and online personality questionnaire in advance of their interview. The risk review will include a short questionnaire which is followed up by a short telephone call with a psychologist. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the MAIB for further information (contact point below).

Please note also, that we will require successful candidates to undergo an occupational health assessment before starting in post. Candidates will be given more information on this assessment closer to the time.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 5th October 2026