Senior Structural Engineer

TMMG, LLC; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Chesapeake, Virginia is looking for a Senior Structural Engineer to support the Engineering Design Team. The successful candidate will bridge engineering, production, and waterfront execution, solving real shipyard problems. Responsibilities include developing designs, performing structural analyses, and ensuring compliance with naval standards. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 10 years of shipbuilding experience is required. Skills in AutoCAD and structural analysis are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in naval or commercial shipbuilding.
• Strong background in structural design and analysis.
• Proven experience supporting shipyard construction or waterfront execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review structural designs for hull structures, foundations, and reinforcements.
• Perform structural calculations and analyses including static and dynamic loading.
• Ensure compliance with ABS, USCG, NAVSEA, and applicable classification rules.

Skills

Structural analysis methods and calculations

AutoCAD

Navisworks

Finite Element Analysis tools (FEMAP, ANSYS, NX-NASTRAN)

Shock analysis (DDAM)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture, Structural Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

FEMAP

ANSYS

NX-NASTRAN

Job description

Overview

Background investigation, US Citizenship, CAC, and a confidential security clearance are requirements of this position. Travel is 20%.

TMMG is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer to support the Engineering Design Team (EDT) in delivering high-impact engineering solutions across naval and commercial shipbuilding programs. This role is not a traditional “desk-only” design position. The selected candidate will operate as a hands-on technical leader, bridging engineering, production, and waterfront execution. The engineer will be expected to solve real shipyard problems, validate designs against actual installed conditions, and ensure structural solutions support constructability, test readiness, and delivery schedules. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in ship structures, strong analysis and design capability, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, multi-discipline environments.

Responsibilities

• Structural Design & Analysis
  • Develop and review structural designs for hull structures, foundations, and reinforcements; equipment foundations (shock, vibration, and mission systems); deck structures, bulkheads, and support systems
• Perform structural calculations and analyses, including static and dynamic loading, fatigue and stress analysis, shock and vibration (DDAM / Navy shock requirements preferred)
• Ensure compliance with ABS, USCG, NAVSEA, and applicable classification rules; contract specifications and regulatory requirements
• Shipyard & Waterfront Integration
  • Interface directly with production teams, planning and scheduling, test & trials teams
• Validate structural designs against as-built and installed conditions; construction sequencing and access constraints
• Identify and resolve design gaps impacting production, interferences and constructability issues; support deckplate problem-solving to keep work moving
• Engineering Change & Configuration Control
  • Review and develop Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), work orders and field changes; assess impacts to structure integrity, schedule, sequencing, material and installation; ensure structural changes are technically sound and buildable in the shipyard
• Shock, Load & Specialty Analysis
  • Perform or support equipment mounting and foundation design; load path verification and structural adequacy; support analytical assessments, data requirements definition, and technical reporting
• Drawing Development & Review
  • Develop and review 2D drawings and structural details (AutoCAD or equivalent); 3D model outputs (Navisworks, ShipConstructor, or similar); ensure drawings reflect real installation conditions and support production sequencing; align with configuration control requirements
• Client & Program Support
  • Interface with clients, including shipyards, government representatives (NAVSEA, USCG, MSC), OEMs and vendors; provide technical recommendations and clear, actionable communication; support proposal efforts and technical write-ups when needed
• Mentorship & Leadership
  • Provide technical guidance to junior engineers, designers and drafters; establish best practices for structural design and analysis and shipyard integration; serve as a go-to technical authority within EDT

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture, Structural Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering (with structural focus); Master’s degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in naval or commercial shipbuilding; strong background in structural design and analysis
• Proven experience supporting shipyard construction or waterfront execution
• Experience with ABS, USCG, and/or NAVSEA standards
• Proficiency in AutoCAD (required); 3D modeling tools (preferred); experience with FEA tools (FEMAP, ANSYS, NX-NASTRAN, etc.)
• Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret and develop technical drawings and translate engineering into buildable solutions
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities; capable of working in fast-paced, multi-discipline environments

Required Technical Skills

• Structural analysis methods and calculations
• AutoCAD (required); Navisworks, ShipConstructor or equivalent
• Finite Element Analysis tools (FEMAP, ANSYS, NX-NASTRAN, etc.)
• Shock analysis (DDAM preferred); ability to verify load paths and structural adequacy

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience on Naval vessels (DDG, LCS, OPC, MSC) or offshore/commercial vessels
• Familiarity with configuration management systems and Test & Trials processes
• Experience in multi-shipyard or multi-program environments

Key Competencies

• Execution-Focused Mindset; understands engineering must work in the yard
• Problem solving at the deckplate level; integrator of disciplines
• Bridges engineering, production, and testing; schedule-aware; cost and delivery mindful
• Clear communication; ability to explain complex issues to stakeholders