Naval Architect Designer / Marine CAD Designer

TM Marine Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

401(k) with employer match

Student loan assistance

Job summary

You will work closely with naval architects and engineers to ensure drawings meet design requirements, with an emphasis on accuracy, constructability, and efficient coordination across teams. The role entails preparing comprehensive vessel drawings and supporting modification, repair, and regulatory activities.

Qualifications

• 2–10 years of CAD/design experience in marine or vessel-design industry.
• Experience with 3D models and detailed drawings of marine vessels.
• Ability to work from sketches, field information, and existing documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to coordinate with engineers and naval architects.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed 3D CAD models for ships, barges, ferries, tugboats, and other marine vessels.
• Prepare detailed engineering and production drawings from sketches and specifications.
• Develop vessel models and drawings including tank plans, structural and mechanical arrangements.
• Create CAD models from point-cloud data, LiDAR scans, and laser data.
• Modify existing drawings based on field measurements and engineering changes.
• Coordinate with engineers to ensure drawings reflect design requirements.
• Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, and constructability.
• Assist with drawing packages for vessel construction and modifications.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

Detail drawings

Point cloud data / LiDAR

Communication with engineers

Multi-drawings management

Tools

Rhino 3D

Other CAD software

Job description

Tideman Marine Services (TMMS), a subsidiary of United Plastic Fabricating, Inc., is a marine engineering and naval architecture firm providing design and engineering services for new and existing vessels. Our work includes tugboats, barges, dry docks, passenger vessels, ferries, workboats, and other commercial marine applications.

We are seeking an experienced Naval Architecture Designer / Marine CAD Designer to join our team. This position will work closely with naval architects and engineers to develop detailed 3D CAD models and production-ready drawings for a variety of marine vessels and structures.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed 3D CAD models for ships, boats, barges, dry docks, ferries, tugboats, and other marine vessels.
• Prepare detailed engineering and production drawings from sketches, concepts, specifications, and information provided by naval architects and engineers.
• Develop vessel models and drawings including:
• Tank plans
• Structural plans and details
• Mechanical arrangements and details
• Other vessel construction and engineering drawings
• Develop accurate CAD models from point-cloud data, LiDAR scans, and laser scanning data.
• Modify existing vessel drawings and models based on field measurements, scans, and engineering changes.
• Coordinate with naval architects and engineers to ensure drawings accurately reflect design requirements.
• Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, dimensional consistency, and constructability.
• Revise models and drawings throughout the design and engineering process.
• Assist with the development of drawing packages for vessel construction, modification, repair, and regulatory review.

Requirements

2–10 years of relevant CAD/design experience, preferably within the marine, shipbuilding, naval architecture, or vessel-design industry.

• Experience developing 3D models and detailed drawings of ships, boats, barges, or other marine vessels.
• Ability to generate models and drawings from engineering sketches, concepts, field information, and existing vessel documentation.
• Strong understanding of technical drawings, dimensions, sections, details, and engineering documentation.
• Experience with Rhino 3D is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with point clouds, LiDAR, or laser scanning data is preferred but not required.
• Experience with additional marine design, CAD, or 3D modeling software is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple drawings and projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, naval architects, customers, and other project team members.

Location

Candidates must be located in Texas, preferably within reasonable access to the Texas Gulf Coast/Houston-Galveston area for project and shipyard needs.

Why Join Tideman Marine Services?

This position provides the opportunity to work on a wide variety of real-world marine projects rather than focusing on a single vessel or product line. You will work directly with experienced naval architects and engineers on projects ranging from vessel modifications and repairs to complete vessel designs.

As part of United Plastic Fabricating, Inc., TMMS offers the stability and resources of an established organization while maintaining the hands‑on environment of a specialized marine engineering team.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disabilitycoverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Student loan assistance
• Additional company benefits andprograms

Learn more about United Plastic Fabricating and our career opportunities at www.unitedplastic.com.

United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.