Principal Naval Architect

Appcast; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Principal Naval Architect to design advanced submarines and support major shipbuilding programs. This role involves collaboration on complex projects, offering hybrid working arrangements and a range of benefits including a competitive pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2Work

Employee discounts

Annual incentive

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Designing the SSN AUKUS submarine.
• Supporting sea trials and commissioning activities.
• Writing and presenting technical reports.

Skills

Naval Architecture

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, which is now the world's most advanced submarine.
2. Using your knowledge of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, seamanship, and outfit, infrastructure, or whole-boat design to support the largest shipbuilding programmes in the UK.
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.

Yourskills 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 will 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 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 ever undertaken to deliver cutting-edge submarines to the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

This role offers the chance to work on submarines at all stages of the product life cycle, from early design to build support and commissioning. The department includes teams specializing 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 the expectation to 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 underrepresented sections of the community, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We aim to make our recruitment processes as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (e.g., dyslexia, autism, anxiety disorder) that may affect your performance in assessments, please speak to your recruiter about reasonable adjustments.

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

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 as soon as possible.