Director of Offshore Naval Architecture & Innovation

Impossible Metals Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Impossible Metals Inc. is looking for a Director of Naval Architecture to lead a small team in designing, retrofitting, and integrating large offshore bulk container vessels that will support autonomous subsea mining operations.

You will build out the naval architecture capability, define vessel operation and equipment deployment, and ensure safe, efficient offshore missions in challenging seas, with global travel to shipyards and partner sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering required.
• 10–15+ years of offshore vessel experience.
• Experience with vessel retrofit, DP retrofits, and seakeeping/operability considerations.
• Experience interfacing with shipyards, vendors, and classification societies.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and select naval architecture engineering firms.
• Manage contracts and relationships with engineering, marine operations/shipping and yards.
• Build a small team of like-minded individuals to support the work.
• Liaise between Impossible Metals teams to ensure compatibility of activity and ship-based decisions.
• Develop concept vessel arrangements to support AUV deployment, recovery, and operations.
• Lead externally contracted development of concept, preliminary, and detailed design of offshore vessels.
• Manage outsourced launch and recovery systems, cranes, and handling equipment teams.
• Work with partners on DP system integration, stability, seakeeping, and operability analysis.
• Own classification strategy for regulatory and insurance compliance.
• Support ship acquisition, retrofit planning, and shipyard execution.
• Participate in vendor selection and RFP processes for marine systems.
• Travel to shipyards, offshore trials, and partner sites globally

Skills

Naval architecture

Marine engineering

Project management

Team leadership

DP retrofits

Education

Degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering

Job description

Impossible Metals Inc. is looking for a Director of Naval Architecture to lead a small team in designing, retrofitting, and integrating large offshore bulk container vessels that will support autonomous subsea mining operations.

You will build out the naval architecture capability, define vessel operation and equipment deployment, and ensure safe, efficient offshore missions in challenging seas, with global travel to shipyards and partner sites.