Principal Naval Architect

Appcast; East Cowes; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Principal Naval Architect to design advanced submarines and support major shipbuilding programs. The role involves working on complex projects, requiring strong analytical skills and naval architecture expertise. Flexible working arrangements are available, along with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2work

Employee discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as a Naval Architect.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards Chartered status.

Responsibilities

• Designing the SSN AUKUS, the world's most advanced submarine.
• Supporting sea trials and commissioning activities for multiple submarine classes.
• Writing and presenting technical reports.

Skills

Naval Architecture

Hydrostatics

Hydrodynamics

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree in Naval Architecture

Job description

Job Title: Principal Naval Architect

Location:

Barrow-in-Furness, Brough, Frimley, Weymouth, Filton, Portsmouth, or Manchester. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary:

GBP 45,628 + depending on experience

What you'll be doing:

1. Designing the SSN AUKUS, the world's most advanced submarine.
2. Using your knowledge of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, seamanship, and outfit, infrastructure, or whole boat design to support the UK's largest shipbuilding programmes.
3. Supporting sea trials, inclining experiments, and other commissioning activities for multiple submarine classes.
4. Undertaking research and development activities to develop world-leading capabilities.
5. Writing and presenting technical reports.

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience as a Naval Architect.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards Chartered status.

Desirable:

• Degree in Naval Architecture.
• Experience in ship design analysis and build support.
• Advanced numeracy and analytical skills.
• Previous experience working on defence projects.

Benefits:

You'll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance, and a Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan. Additional benefits include flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work, and employee discounts. You may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Naval Architecture team:

As a Principal Naval Architect, you will be a key member of one of the largest and fastest-growing Naval Architecture Departments in the UK. You will work on some of the most complex ship design and build programmes, delivering cutting-edge submarines to the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

This role offers the chance to work on submarines throughout the product lifecycle, from early design to build support and commissioning. The department specializes in weights engineering, stability and hydrostatics, infrastructure support, seamanship and outfit, maneuvering and control, fluid dynamics, and design and development. Depending on your location, the role involves working one day a week on-site, with travel to Barrow for work commitments. We offer relocation support packages across all submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and empowers you to fulfill your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, especially from groups underrepresented in our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We aim to ensure our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in assessments, please discuss potential reasonable adjustments with your recruiter.

Please note that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions, which may limit eligibility based on nationality, place of birth, or previous nationalities. All applicants must meet at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Some roles require higher-level security vetting, often necessitating 5 to 10 years of continuous UK residency, depending on the vetting level.

Closing Date:

2nd June 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.