Principal Naval Architect

BAE Systems; King's Lynn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Naval Architect to join their dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will design cutting-edge submarines and support the UK's largest shipbuilding programs. Your expertise in naval architecture, hydrostatics, and seamanship will be essential as you engage in complex projects from design through to commissioning. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy's capabilities while enjoying a flexible working environment. Join a company that values diversity and empowers its employees to reach their full potential.

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 is essential.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards Chartered status is required.

Responsibilities

• Designing advanced submarines and supporting major shipbuilding programs.
• Conducting sea trials and commissioning activities for submarines.

Skills

Naval Architecture

Hydrostatics

Hydrodynamics

Analytical Skills

Seamanship

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: GBP45,628 + depending on experience

What you'll be doing:

• Designing the SSN AUKUS which is now the world's most advanced Submarine
• Using your knowledge of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, seamanship and outfit, infrastructure or whole boat design to support the largest shipbuilding programmes in the UK
• Supporting with sea trials, inclining experiments and other commissioning activities for multiple submarine classes
• Undertaking research and development activities to develop world leading capabilities
• 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. You'll also have access to additional benefits such as 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 an important member 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.

This role will provide you with the chance to work on submarines at all stages of the product life cycle from early design to build support and commission. The Naval Architecture Department comprises teams specialising in weights engineering, stability and hydrostatics, infrastructure support, seamanship and outfit, manoeuvring and control, fluid dynamics, design and development. Depending on your location, the role will involve working one day a week on site, with expectation to travel to Barrow for work commitments. 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, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) 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. 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.

Closing Date: 15th April 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.