Lead Engineering Hull Designer

Gulf Copper; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Copper seeks a Lead Engineering Hull Designer to guide hull and structural design for shipbuilding and newbuild projects. You will translate vessel plans into production-ready drawings and coordinate with naval architecture, machinery, electrical, and other teams to ensure constructability and regulatory compliance.

You will review, update, and release design documentation, support fabrication planning, and travel to shipyards as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Technical Drafting or equivalent
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation
• Understanding of structural components, steel fabrication, assembly, and shipyard production processes
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and marine 3D design software
• Experience with government ship design programs, classification society/regulatory requirements, AVEVA Marine or similar, Navisworks, and production planning preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate hull and structural design activities for shipbuilding projects
• Develop, review, and correct structural drawings and design packages
• Interpret vessel plans and specifications into production-ready design information
• Coordinate design requirements with naval architecture, machinery, electrical, HVAC, deck and other disciplines
• Assist designers in resolving structural design issues and production problems
• Review drawings for accuracy, constructability, and compliance
• Support development and checking of production-ready hull drawings prior to release
• Coordinate with production for material takeoffs, procurement, fabrication, nesting, and planning
• Review engineering changes and incorporate revisions
• Participate in 3D model, drawing, and production reviews to resolve conflicts
• Provide technical support to production on fabrication and design questions
• Monitor progress and report status to Project Engineering Manager
• Check drawings prior to release per processes
• Conduct shipyard visits and travel as required
• Support continuous improvement of design, constructability, and production processes
• Ensure compliance with Gulf Copper Mission & QMS
• Coordinate design schedules with Project Engineering Manager
• Develop recovery plans for delayed deliverables
• Coordinate with external design subcontractors and ensure deliverables meet requirements
• Review subcontractor design deliverables for compliance and quality

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Hull coordination

Vessel structural interpretation

Planning & problem-solving

Multidisciplinary coordination

Constructability & fabrication

Systematic & logical approach

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

Associate degree in Technical Drafting

Ability to interpret drawings/specifications

Understanding of structural components & shipyard processes

Experience with multidisciplinary teams

Proficiency with AutoCAD & marine 3D design software

Experience with AVEVA Marine/Navisworks/regulatory programs

Tools

AutoCAD

AVEVA Marine

Navisworks

Job description

Lead Engineering Hull Designer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the following: Other duties may be assigned.

1. Responsible for supporting the safe execution of hull and structural design activities in accordance with the company's overall safety goals, objectives and policies.

1. Lead and coordinate hull and structural design activities for assigned shipbuilding and newbuilding projects.

1. Develop, review, and correct structural drawings, models, and design packages.

1. Interpret vessel plans, structural arrangements, specifications, and engineering requirements and translate them into production-ready structural design information.

1. Coordinate structural design requirements with naval architecture, machinery, electrical, HVAC, deck, interior, and other engineering and design disciplines.

1. Assist designers in resolving structural design issues, interdisciplinary conflicts, and production-related problems.

1. Review structural drawings and design deliverables for accuracy, constructability, completeness, and compliance with applicable project requirements and standards.

1. Support development and checking of production-ready hull and structural drawing packages prior to release to the shipyard.

1. Coordinate structural information required to support steel material takeoffs, procurement, fabrication, nesting, and production planning.

1. Review engineering changes and incorporate approved revisions into applicable design documentation.

1. Participate in 3D model reviews, drawing reviews, and production reviews and assist in resolving identified conflicts.

1. Provide technical support to production personnel regarding structural fabrication, assembly, and design questions.

1. Monitor progress of hull design activities and report status, priorities, constraints, and required actions to the Project Engineering Manager.

1. Check drawings, models, and engineering deliverables prior to release in accordance with established checking and approval processes.

1. Conduct shipyard visits and business-related travel as required to support hull design, coordination, training, and project development.

1. Support continuous improvement of structural design, engineering, constructability, and production-support processes.

1. Ensure compliance with Gulf Copper Mission Statement and Quality Management System.

1. Coordinate with the Project Engineering Manager to maintain design schedules, drawing dependencies, and design deliverables in support of production planning and project milestones.

1. Develop and implement recovery plans with the Project Engineering Manager when design deliverables fall behind the established schedule.

1. Coordinate with external design subcontractors and engineering service providers to establish design requirements, deliverables, schedules, and technical expectations.

1. Review subcontractor design deliverables for technical compliance, completeness, quality, and alignment with project requirements.

Required Education & Experience:

1. Associate degree in Technical Drafting, or a combination of relevant education and experience in marine structural design or shipbuilding.

1. Demonstrated ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

1. Demonstrated understanding of structural components, steel fabrication, assembly, and shipyard production processes.

1. Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering and design teams.

1. Proficiency with AutoCAD and marine 3D design software.

1. Experience with government ship design programs, classification society and regulatory requirements, AVEVA Marine or similar marine design software, Navisworks, production-ready structural drawing packages, steel material takeoffs, and production planning preferred.

Working Conditions:

1. Regular work time indoors in an environmentally controlled office setting, combined with regular time in shipyard production areas and aboard vessels. Travel to partner shipyards and engineering locations may be required to support training, coordination, and project development.

Necessary Equipment Operation:

1. Computer systems and standard office equipment.

1. AutoCAD, marine 3D design software, AVEVA Marine or similar design systems, and Navisworks as applicable.

1. Personal protective equipment (PPE) required when in production and waterfront areas.

Special Skills:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

1. Strong hull and structural design coordination skills.

1. Ability to interpret vessel structural arrangements, specifications, and technical documentation.

1. Excellent planning, checking, organizing, and problem-solving skills.

1. Ability to coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and production teams.

1. Strong understanding of structural constructability, fabrication, and production-ready design requirements.

1. Ability to operate in a systematic and logical manner.

1. Good judgment and attention to minute detail.

1. High performance and a strong team player.

1. Commitment to company values.

* An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Know Your Rights. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail: [e-mail].