Mid-Level Naval Architect

Zel Technologies; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401k with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account

Bonuses for performance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

ZelTech is seeking a Naval Architect to support the design, analysis, and integration of manned and unmanned maritime vessels, including unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)with a focus on hull form development, hydrostatics, seakeeping, and structural assessment.

The ideal candidate will apply naval architecture principles and modeling tools to contribute to the engineering lifecycle from concept development through testing and delivery.

Qualifications

• Requires US citizenship and active SECRET clearance.
• Minimum 3 years of naval architecture, ship design, or marine engineering experience.
• Proficiency with core naval architecture tools and ability to develop hull geometry, weights and hydrostatics.

Responsibilities

• Support design and analysis of marine hull forms, including geometry, weights, and hydrostatics.
• Conduct hydrodynamic and seakeeping analyses to assess stability and performance.
• Assist in structural analysis and survivability assessments for maritime platforms.
• Support CFD simulations, model testing, and correlate results with trials.
• Prepare and maintain design documentation, drawings, reports, and compliance packages.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across lifecycle stages and ensure standards compliance.

Skills

Strong communication

Technical writing

Education

BA in Naval Architecture / Marine Engineering / Ocean Engineering

Tools

Rhino

Orca3D

GHS

NAPA

AutoCAD

Ship Constructor

Job description

Locations: West Bethesda, MD

Job Summary:

ZelTech is seeking a Naval Architect to support the design, analysis, and integration of manned and unmanned maritime vessels, including unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)with a focus on hull form development, hydrostatics, seakeeping, and structural assessment. The ideal candidate will apply naval architecture principles and modeling tools to contribute to the engineering lifecycle from concept development through testing and delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Support the design and analysis of marine hull forms, including development of geometry, weights, and hydrostatic properties.
• Conduct hydrodynamic and seakeeping analyses to evaluate vessel stability and performance.
• Assist in structural analysis and survivability assessments for maritime platforms.
• Support CFD simulations, model testing efforts, and correlation of results with physical trials.
• Prepare and maintain design documentation, including drawings, technical reports, and compliance packages.
• Contributes to the development of technical documents such as stability reports, hull drawings, and system integration data.
• Use modern naval architecture tools to support design validation and ensure compliance with ABS, USCG, NAVSEA, and other relevant standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, systems, software, electrical) throughout the system development lifecycle.

Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen.
• BA, in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
• Must have an active SECRET clearance.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in naval architecture, ship design, or marine engineering.
• Proficiency with key naval architecture tools such as Rhino, Orca3D, GHS, NAPA, and familiarity with AutoCAD or Ship Constructor.
• Demonstrated understanding of structural principles, hydrostatics, and seakeeping.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills with the ability to support the preparation of engineering documentation and reports.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Requirements:

• Familiarity with modeling and simulation (M&S) techniques, CFD tools (e.g., Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM), or Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools like Cameo or SysML.
• Experience working in collaborative engineering environments and participating in technical design reviews.
• Pursuit of or eligibility for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.

Physical Demands or Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance, vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

About ZelTech:

Founded in 1988 by Ret. Col. Jack L. Ezzell Jr., Zel Technologies is a trusted leader in national security, providing comprehensive research, development, engineering, and operational support to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies.Originally focused on leveraging operational and software expertise to improve time-critical targeting capabilities for the military, the company advanced its capabilities to provide scientific and HUMINT expertise for CBRNE collection and analysis. In the wake of 9/11, Zel Technologies rapidly expanded its capabilities to provide turnkey ISR support services to US Special Operations Forces (SOF), as well as advanced technical & operational intelligence, physical & data science, and engineering support services to the greater Intelligence and SOF Communities supporting global counterterrorism and CWMD operations.

Today, Zel Technologies remains at the forefront of intelligence missions, advancing CWMD and global counterterrorism efforts, while also addressing emerging threats posed by near-peer adversaries. Our team remains committed to delivering adaptive, innovative, and cost-effective solutions across multiple domains, in alignment with the mission priorities of the U.S. Government and its partner nations.

Our Mission:

Through our commitment to innovation and quality, our skilled teams deliver robust, technology driven solutions and insights that empower our customers to overcome complex challenges and achieve their mission objectives.

Our Workforce:

ZelTech team members represent a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experience, and personalities bound together by common objectives and mutual respect. You will join a caring community of professional, including many military veterans who challenge and support each other in seeking the right solutions to important matters.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k immediate vesting with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonuses for performance
• Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment
• Educational assistance and special training programs
• Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)
• Group life insurance (Company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (Company paid)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave
• Health and fitness reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Employee discounts on various services and products

Equal Opportunities:

ZelTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.