Naval Architect, Small Craft

Leidos LLC; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

DLBA Naval Architects, a division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox, seeks a Naval Architect to support US Navy small craft design at NSWCCD CCD, onsite at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story. You will perform multidisciplinary engineering design, analysis, and testing services for hulls under 300 ft.

Responsibilities include first-principles calculations, 3D modeling and drawings, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics, and structural/scantling design with FEA. U.S.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active DoD secret security clearance required.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ engineering experience (non-nuclear).
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering and related technologies.
• Knowledge of BS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC standards.
• Strong time management and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Rhino.
• Excellent collaboration and communication within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and detailed engineering calculations using first principles hand calculations and devise approaches to challenges encountered.
• Assist client teams in the design of boats and craft.
• Provide solutions by applying existing design skills, techniques, and procedures.
• Collaborate with teammates to develop small craft design solutions.
• Provide onsite naval architecture service to US Navy Combatant Craft Division (Code 83) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story.
• Overarching vessel design 3D modeling and drawings.
• Hydrostatics/Hydrodynamics (stability both intact and damage, resistance, propulsion estimates, etc.).
• Structural/Scantling design with FEA analysis.

Skills

Marine engineering knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

Job description

Naval Architecture Opportunity at DLBA Naval Architects – A Division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox

DLBA Naval Architects, formerly Donald L. Blount and Associates, is a leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm, now a division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox. DLBA offers innovative consulting services for designing a diverse range of boats, from sleek, high-performance fiberglass recreational boats like Mastercraft’s Aviara series to rugged, aluminum workboats such as the Kayak Express. We pride ourselves on bringing advanced design and engineering to the waterfront, serving clients from high-speed record-setting race boats to reliable commercial tugs and barges. DLBA specializes in pushing the boundaries of high-performance marine craft design, but our expertise extends across all types of vessels. Our team's involvement in research and development keeps us at the cutting edge of the industry, introducing new technologies to revolutionize the boating world.

What You'll Be Doing:

As a Naval Architect, you will be embedded in a client team with US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Code 83, Combatant Craft Division (CCD). You’ll provide onsite support to CCD at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. In this position, you will perform overarching multidisciplinary engineering design, analysis, research, and testing service for US Navy small craft (<300 ft).

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and detailed engineering calculations using first principles hand calculations and devise approaches to challenges encountered.
• Assist client teams in the design of boats and craft.
• Provide solutions by applying existing design skills, techniques, and procedures.
• Collaborate with teammates to develop small craft design solutions.
• Provide onsite naval architecture service to US Navy Combatant Craft Division (Code 83) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story.
• Overarching vessel design 3D modeling and drawings.
• Hydrostatics/Hydrodynamics (stability both intact and damage, resistance, propulsion estimates, etc.).
• Structural/Scantling design with FEA analysis.

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active DoD secret security clearance
• B.S. Degree or higher in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 2 years’ engineering experience (non-nuclear)
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering and an in-depth knowledge of principles, practices and related technologies
• Knowledge of specifications and regulatory requirements (BS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC)
• Strong time management and organization skills as an independent contributor
• Demonstrated experience solving technical problems using first principles hand calculations and devising new approaches to challenges encountered.
• Proficiency in using industry-standard CAD software, including AutoCAD and Rhino
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Strong analytical skills, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent MS Office skills, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Shipyard or boatyard experience
• Professional certificates of competency in applicable CAD & engineering software

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo – because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 – and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: October 6, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.