Senior Naval Architect

Owen Daniels; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing business in the marine industry is seeking a Senior Naval Architect based in Portsmouth. The ideal candidate will oversee mechanical design activities for cutting-edge naval systems, performing hydrodynamics analyses, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering along with experience in CAD software is essential. The position offers competitive benefits, including annual leave, private healthcare, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare

Professional Development

Flexible Working

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering required.
• Experience in 3D and 2D CAD modelling software essential.
• Good communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Perform hydrodynamics analyses for surface and subsurface vessels.
• Analyse and validate hydrodynamic predictions from test data.
• Collaborate with engineering teams for hull design and compliance.

Skills

Naval Architecture

Hydrodynamics

3D and 2D CAD software (Rhino, Inventor, Solidworks)

CFD packages

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering

Tools

Paramarine

Rhino

Inventor

Solidworks

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing business designing some of the most innovative and interesting applications for the marine industry. If you are a meticulous individual with a passion for working on cutting edge projects, this could be ideal for you.

Senior Naval Architect

Marine Defence applications

Portsmouth

Permanent

Role Overview

This role is a senior technical and leadership position within a rapidly growing marine defence organisation, responsible for developing the Nav Arc function across complex, cutting‑edge naval systems. Based in Portsmouth, the role oversees mechanical design activities from initial requirements through build, commissioning, and trials, ensuring engineering excellence, compliance with standards, and delivery of high‑quality integrated solutions.

Responsibilities

• Perform hydrodynamics analyses and assessments on the behaviour and performance of both surface and subsurface vessels, including parameters on manoeuvring, resistance, and seakeeping.
• Analyse and interpret test data to develop and validate hydrodynamic predictions.
• Hull form design and optimisation, working towards automating the process of optimising various hull forms for hydrodynamic performance.
• Collaboration in hull structural design and drawings for regulatory body submission, including liaising with structural specialists and creating detailed drawings for manufacture.
• Surface and submerged stability assessments.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including mechanical, electrical, and control systems engineers to ensure integration and compatibility of the various vessel's systems.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including design specifications, engineering drawings, technical reports and supporting design review submissions, ensuring accurate and up‑to‑date records throughout the design and development process for defined areas of responsibility.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, preferably in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering.
• Experience in 3D and 2D CAD modelling software, such as Rhino, Inventor or Solidworks.
• Expertise in Naval Architecture software. Knowledge of Paramarine is desirable but not essential.
• Familiarity with CFD packages and hydrodynamic analyses of AUVs, small submersibles and surface vessels desirable.
• Good understanding of hydrodynamics and ship stability, ideally with experience in submersibles.
• Foundation knowledge on mechanics of materials, with preference on composites design and analysis.
• Understanding of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards for structural design and marine systems; experience designing for class approval of composite structures against Lloyd's or DNV‑GL is beneficial.
• Good understanding of marine systems and the ability to integrate such systems within a vessel design.
• Experience in construction, design consultancy and/or trials of military small boats advantageous but experience in this will be achievable within the role.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively collaborate with cross‑functional teams to present design proposals.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: entitlement to 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Day: an additional wellbeing day each year.
• Private Healthcare: access to comprehensive private healthcare coverage.
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover: comprehensive protection including Life Assurance (4x salary) and Critical Illness Cover.
• Family Leave: enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Christmas Leave: a Christmas shutdown is typically observed.
• Professional Development: commitment to ongoing learning and career growth, supported by training programmes and access to LinkedIn Learning.
• Pension Contribution: pension scheme with the option to contribute via salary sacrifice.
• Flexible Working: opportunities for flexible working arrangements to promote work‑life balance.
• Inclusive Culture: a professional environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

Candidates must be able to obtain BPSS clearance and should have the right to work in the UK.