Principal Naval Architect

BAE Systems; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace contractor is seeking a Senior/Principal Naval Architect to join their team within the Vehicle Control department. The role involves conducting analysis of submarine performance and collaborating with experts to deliver innovative submarine solutions. Candidates should have a degree in Naval Architecture or a related field, alongside experience in manoeuvring modelling and hydrodynamic principles. This position offers hybrid working arrangements, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Proven experience in ship or submarine manoeuvring modelling.
• Strong fundamentals in hydrodynamic principles and methods.
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Analyze submarine platforms' manoeuvring performance.
• Develop, verify, and validate mathematical manoeuvring models.
• Manage safe manoeuvring envelope generation.
• Collaborate with partners to enhance modelling capabilities.
• Support hydrodynamic sea trials and data analysis.

Skills

Ship or submarine manoeuvring modelling

Understanding of hydrodynamic principles

Hydrodynamic/aerodynamic design experience

Physical testing experience

Education

Degree in Naval Architecture, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics

Job description

Job Title

Senior/Principal Naval Architect

Location

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

Salary

Competitive.

What you'll be doing

• Conducting analysis and evaluations of submarine platforms manoeuvring performances from concept design to in-service support.
• Undertaking the development, verification and validation of mathematical manoeuvring models using physical model test data.
• Managing the generation of safe manoeuvring envelopes and supporting associated operator guidance.
• Working with enterprise partners to develop modelling capabilities, processes and toolsets for major programmes.
• Collaborating with other naval architecture teams, systems teams, Active Vehicle Control system teams, propulsion engineers, customers and suppliers to deliver innovative and safe submarine solutions.
• Supporting and conducting hydrodynamic sea trials such as depth and heading control, including test form development and post-trial data analysis.

Your skills and experiences

Essential

• Experience in the generation of ship or submarine manoeuvring modelling.
• A strong understanding of hydrodynamic principles and methods.
• Degree in Naval Architecture, Aeronautical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Hydrodynamic/aerodynamic design and evaluation experience.
• Physical testing experience.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards/ability to achieve.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Vehicle Control team

As a Principal/Senior Naval Architect within the Vehicle Control team, you will be working alongside a team of experts within Naval Architecture and the Whole Boat Design Team in one of the largest and fastest growing Naval Architecture Departments in the UK. You will be working on some of the most complex ship design and build programmes ever undertaken to deliver cutting‑edge submarines to the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines 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 of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. All applicants must, as a minimum, achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard, and many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting.

Closing Date: 2nd January 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.