Naval Architect

Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK; St Athan; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 holidays

Pension scheme (10% employer, 5% you)

Tusker car scheme (salary sacrifice)

Employee assistance programme

Private medical scheme (BUPA)

Eye care discounts

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Sage benefits and discounts

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK (SNC MS UK) is seeking a Naval Architect to join our growing engineering team. You will design, develop and deliver complex maritime platforms and defence systems, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory requirements.

In this role you will contribute to stability, hydrodynamics, weight control and structural assessments, collaborating with electrical, mechanical and systems engineers.

Qualifications

• A relevant engineering degree (Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ship Science or related) is required.
• Experience in naval architecture or ship design in maritime, defence or offshore sectors is essential.
• Knowledge of vessel stability, hydrodynamics, weight control, and structural design principles is expected.
• Experience producing technical documentation and engineering reports is important.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain ship design solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Produce naval architecture calculations, analyses, and technical reports.
• Conduct stability, buoyancy, weight management, seakeeping, and structural assessments.
• Support concept design, feasibility studies, and detailed design activities.
• Collaborate with systems, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with naval, defence, and classification society standards.
• Participate in design reviews, governance activities, and customer meetings.
• Support risk identification, mitigation, and technical decisions.
• Contribute to verification, validation and sea trials where required.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Independence

Model-based engineering

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Naval Architecture / Marine Engineering or related

Chartered Engineer status or working towards

Job description

Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK (SNC MS UK) is looking for a Naval Architect.

About SNCMS UK

At SNC Mission Systems UK we providetailored mission systems integration and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions for the UK Government and its allies.

Our unique strength is our mission partner approach delivered by people who have first-hand operational experience. Weunderstand the challenges you face, have the know-how to overcome them and work with you to succeed.

Operating for over a decade, we deliver cutting-edge capabilities from open-source intelligence (OSINT) to uncrewed surface vessels and high-altitude one-way effectors that deliver true interoperability across all security levels. With our in-house R&D team, BabelwX®, we deliver innovation at scale and pace.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC, we also leverage their extensive heritage in innovation and advanced technologies to offersolutions of the highest standard and for any circumstance – peacetime or battlefield.

Role

We are seeking a talented Naval Architect to join our growing engineering team supporting the design, development, and delivery of complex maritime and defence platforms. Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will play a key role in the design and assessment of naval vessels and maritime systems, ensuring compliance with technical, operational, and regulatory requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile defence programmes that support national security and advance maritime capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain ship design solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Produce naval architecture calculations, analyses, and technical reports.
• Conduct stability, buoyancy, weight management, seakeeping, and structural assessments.
• Support concept design, feasibility studies, and detailed design activities.
• Collaborate with systems, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable naval, defence, and classification society standards.
• Participate in design reviews, technical governance activities, and customer meetings.
• Support risk identification, mitigation, and technical decision-making.
• Contribute to verification and validation activities, including sea trials where required.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project teams and stakeholders.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ship Science, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience in naval architecture or ship design within the maritime, marine, defence, or offshore sectors.
• Knowledge of vessel stability, hydrodynamics, weight control, and structural design principles.
• Experience producing technical documentation and engineering reports.
• Understanding of maritime regulations and classification society requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency with relevant naval architecture and engineering software tools

Skills & Abilities

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional registration.
• Experience supporting defence or military maritime programmes.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and requirements management.
• Familiarity with UK Ministry of Defence standards and procurement processes.
• Experience with model-based engineering approaches.
• Understanding of through-life support and vessel sustainment activities.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable working within complex and highly regulated environments.
• Strong commitment to quality, safety, and engineering excellence.

What we offer

• 28 holidays
• Competitive pension scheme (we contribute 10%, you contribute 5%)
• Tusker car scheme (salary sacrifice)
• Employee assistance programme Scheme via TELUS
• Private medical scheme via BUPA
• Discounts on eye tests, glasses and contact lenses
• Life Assurance
• Dental health plan (claim back money towards routine & restorative treatments)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sage employee benefits including high street, health & wellbeing discounts
• Income protection
• Professional development: SNC MS UKprovidesample opportunitiesfor training and development, working oncutting-edgetechnologies and projects.
• Support for Armed Forces: SNC MS UK is a proud Armed Forces Covenant member and offers15 dayspaid leave for reservists and 5 days paid leave for Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers.

Please be aware that many roles at SNC MS UK are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

SNC MS UK is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Talent Team at [e-mail]. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.