Senior Naval Architect

Panthalassa; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 185,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Unlimited PTO

Equity in the company

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Panthalassa, a renewable energy firm in Portland, is seeking a Senior Naval Architect to contribute to the design and delivery of hull systems. This role entails responsibilities such as performing stability analyses, developing structural designs, and ensuring systems are seaworthy and fabrication-ready.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Naval Architecture, extensive experience in stability analyses, and proficiency with CAD software like Solidworks and GHS. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits including full health insurance and unlimited PTO.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Naval Architecture roles.
• Proficiency in vessel stability software like GHS.
• Experience with CAD tools for drafting and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Conduct stability and weights analyses using GHS.
• Develop and release structural drawings for Node projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary investigations into hydrodynamic loads.

Skills

Stability analyses

Seakeeping analysis

Nautical architecture principles

Communication skills

CAD modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or similar

Tools

GHS

Solidworks

Orcaflex

Job description

Company Overview

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing ultra‑low‑cost renewable energy for applications such as computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

Our staff includes engineers formerly of SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, Disney Imagineering, and many research universities and startups. We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet and we compensate our engineers accordingly.

About the Job

As a Senior Naval Architect, you will be a critical contributor to the design and delivery of our hull systems. You will perform stability and weights analyses, develop structural and mechanical designs, and drive drawing releases that keep fabrication on track. Your work will ensure our ocean‑deployed systems are seaworthy, fabrication‑ready, and high‑performing in the harshest marine conditions. You will apply nautical architecture principles across the Node program, drive requirements for stability, seakeeping, and marine operations, and lead multidisciplinary investigations into hydrodynamic loads.

Responsibilities

• Perform and maintain stability and weights & balances analyses using GHS and other internal tools.
• Develop and release Node structure drawings, driving drawing releases to keep fabrication ungated.
• Perform detailed design of mechanical, structural, and support subsystems (e.g., human access, shoreside support).
• Determine requirements for the Node program relating to stability, seakeeping, mooring, structures, and marine operations.
• Drive hydrodynamic loads investigations involving multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to Orcaflex analyses and hydrodynamic studies.
• Drive Node program strategies for corrosion mitigation and biofouling prevention.
• Work closely with the Marine Operations Engineering team to develop concepts of operations and ensure Nodes can be safely and reliably deployed and recovered at sea.
• Serve as a naval architecture focal point for external communications with regulators, insurance partners, and marine surveyors.
• Lead and participate in design reviews with the internal team and interface with external fabricators and vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a similar field.
• 5+ years of professional experience performing stability, seakeeping, and weights/balances analyses in a Naval Architecture role.
• Professional experience using GHS or equivalent vessel stability software (e.g., Maxsurf, Orca3D).
• Professional experience using a parametric CAD package (e.g., NX, Solidworks) to model parts, assemblies, and generate fabrication drawings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide guidance and technical material to engineers, designers, technicians, and suppliers, adeptly receiving and incorporating their guidance and technical information into your approach.
• Confidence working independently to drive a project forward.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with RANS theory and tools (Star‑CCM+, OpenFoam).
• Experience using high‑end hydrodynamics analysis software to estimate vessel motions (e.g., Ansys AQWA, Maxsurf Motion, WAMIT).
• Proficiency with Orcaflex.
• 5+ years of 3D CAD modeling experience.
• Experience with NX/Teamcenter.
• Experience with Rhino3D CAD software.
• Experience with finite element analysis (NX NASTRAN, FEMAP) software packages.
• Experience using Python, Julia, MATLAB, or a similar programming language for data review and analysis.
• Experience using AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, Copilot) for programming and analysis workflows.
• Experience working with regulatory and class on novel projects.
• Prior experience working in a marine environment and/or with marine vessels.
• Proficient and frequent user of hand calculations.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, self‑starting, and demanding atmosphere.
• A curiosity to learn and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of technical projects from the details to the big picture.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Additional Requirements

• Travel to vendors and test sites as needed.
• Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs.
• High degree of autonomy and work‑life balance, including unlimited PTO and flexible working hours.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full‑time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $185,000 - $235,000.
• Equity in the company.
• A benefits package that includes:
  • Flexible paid time off.
  • Health insurance (company pays 100% of a gold‑level PPO plan for full‑time employees, their partners, and dependents).
  • Dental insurance (company pays 100% for full‑time employees, partners, and dependents).
  • Vision insurance (company pays 100% for full‑time employees, partners, and dependents).
  • Disability insurance (company pays 100% for a policy to provide long‑term financial support if you become disabled).
  • Ability to contribute to tax‑advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA.
  • Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This position is full‑time and on‑site at our office in Portland, Oregon.