Structural Engineer III

Austal USA; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Austal USA in Mobile, AL seeks an experienced Senior Naval Engineer to lead complex design calculations and drawings for maritime vessels and shipboard systems, including structural, propulsion, electrical and hydraulics. You will drive technical management from concept to completion and ensure compliance with ABS, NAVSEA, MIL, USCG and IMO standards.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with production and multiple design teams, and oversee drawings reviews while directing crew in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Structural, Civil, Mechanical or related engineering field.
• 5–8 years of relevant engineering experience; shipbuilding preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and deadline discipline.
• Experience with regulatory standards (ABS, NAVSEA, MIL, USCG, IMO) and naval design.
• Experience with finite element analysis methods and tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex design calculations and drawing development for vessels and shipboard systems.
• Ensure design compliance with regulatory authorities, specifications and customer needs.
• Manage design and analyses projects from concept through completion.
• Review drawings for accuracy and producibility.
• Liaise with production and provide technical support during construction.
• Direct engineers, designers, drafters, consultants and vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Project coordination

Communication

Scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Structural, Civil, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office

FEMAP/NASTRAN

Job description

Austal USA is recognized for its advancements in naval ship design and construction, presenting distinctive opportunities for team members to participate in influential initiatives shaping the maritime sector now and in the future. With a heritage rooted in innovation, Austal USA has been instrumental in propelling naval technology forward through sophisticated design, engineering, and delivery of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) to the recently awarded Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), and the T‑AGOS ocean surveillance vessels. What sets Austal USA apart is our commitment to innovation and our dedication to building the best ships for the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. We actively cultivate a culture fueled by intellectual curiosity and diverse perspectives, where every team member is integral to delivering cutting‑edge solutions.

Reporting

• Reports to: Chief Department Engineer & Project Department Engineer
• Supersedes: Engineer II, Engineer I, Designers and Draftspersons

Responsibilities

• Responsible for complex design calculations and drawing development for the construction, maintenance, and repair of maritime vessels and shipboard systems including structural, propulsion, electrical, and hydraulic mechanics.
• Ensuring vessel design is in compliance with relevant regulatory authorities, specifications and customer requirements.
• Responsible for the technical management of design and analyses projects from concept to completion.
• Reviews drawings for compliance, accuracy and ease of production.
• Liaise with production and provide technical support during construction.
• Directs engineers, designers and drafters, engineering consultants, and/or vendors in the development of vessel design information.
• Works with production and project teams to successfully implement vessel and vessel component designs.
• Facilitates training, mentoring, and developing other engineers.
• Provides work leadership and direction to other engineers.
• Complies with Austal’s employee handbook general guidelines, company procedures and policies.

Qualifications & Experience

• General: 5 to 8 years of relevant engineering experience in the manufacturing, construction (or similar) industry; shipbuilding industry strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Possesses strong leadership skills; ability to help grow company culture.
• Understanding of scheduling and an ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Experienced in interacting with Production, multiple design teams from several companies, customer representatives and equipment manufacturers.
• Proficient in the use of AutoCAD and MS Office products.
• Preferred: Experienced in Steel and Aluminum Ship Construction; knowledge and application of modular construction methods.
• Strong working knowledge of Maritime Regulatory Authorities (e.g., ABS, NAVSEA, MIL, USCG, IMO) and experience in the design and construction of U.S. Navy vessels.
• Strong working knowledge of shock design, FEA methods, and experience with FEMAP/NASTRAN (a plus).
• Strong working knowledge of composite shafting and structural engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Structural, Civil, Mechanical or related engineering field.
• Thorough knowledge of structural design, vessel design preferred; knowledge of static, dynamic, and strength of material calculations.
• Extensive use of finite element analysis methods to analyze structure.

Tools & Direction Exercised

• Computer – MS Office, AutoCAD.
• Will lead and direct the work of Engineers I, II, Designers and Draftspersons.
• Will determine technical adequacy of drawings and calculations.

Discretion Exercised

• Will provide input to evaluations of Engineers I, II, Designers and Draftspersons.
• Has authority to direct, evaluate and correct the work of Engineers I, II, Designers and Draftspersons.

Liaises With

• Engineers, Production Personnel, Customer, Regulatory Bodies, Program Management and Equipment Suppliers.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.

Safety & Compliance

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. If a qualified individual with a disability is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability‑related application issues, please contact: 251‑445‑1932 for assistance.

All candidates must meet Austal USA’s basic employment eligibility guidelines: the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance may be required if deemed necessary in the scope of your position responsibilities. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application, able to provide proof of U.S. Person Status, have no felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date, have no felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date, and be willing to submit to a drug screen, background check, and meet the other eligibility requirements listed above.