Naval Architect in Bristol

Are you a naval architect looking to work on cutting-edge defence projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), where you will play a pivotal role in delivering critical capabilities for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

You will be part of a dedicated team of engineers tackling unique technical challenges and introducing innovative methods and technologies to support naval operations. You will work within a specialist skills group and be assigned to high-profile projects based on organisational priorities and your development goals. These may involve ship acquisition or in service support, giving you exposure to a broad range of naval architecture assignments.

You will shape and support whole ship design and operation, ensuring ships and small craft are integrated, safe, and able to meet demanding performance requirements. You’ll apply your technical expertise across the acquisition lifecycle, managing risk, setting standards, and guiding both MOD teams and industry partners to deliver assured, compliant, and capable platforms.

Depending on your background, you may work in areas such as concept design, ship structures, hydrodynamics, stability, ship repair and construction, survivability, small craft design, maritime escape and evacuation, or emergency response and salvage. Across these domains, your leadership, communication, and influencing skills will be essential to building strong relationships, sharing critical information, and securing successful outcomes.

You may travel to sites across the UK and occasionally overseas, including visits to ships, shipyards, and dockyards. We offer flexible working arrangements, with an expectation of at least three days a week on site to support collaboration and team cohesion. During your initial weeks, additional time on site may be required as you get to know the team and environment.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide expert technical advice on ship structures, hydrostatics, and hydrodynamics, supporting design decisions and assurance processes.
• Identify and analyse complex technical hazards and project impacts, contribute to risk reduction measures, and ensure these are fully documented and understood.
• Apply legislation, policy, and standards to guarantee safety, security, environmental compliance, and interoperability across systems in a highly regulated environment.
• Produce and review technical documentation, models, layouts, and reports as part of assurance and acceptance activities.
• Collaborate closely with the Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) and Classification Societies to establish and maintain certification.
• Mentor and support the development of junior naval architects and entry-level talent.

Person specification:

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Demonstrable wide-ranging depth and breadth experience of providing technical advice and leading the delivery of successful Naval Architecture outcomes.
• Hold a Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4.
• Belong to a relevant Professional body/institution related to your discipline, be professionally registered as either: Incorporated Engineer (IEng), or higher or Incorporated Marine Engineering (IMarEng), or higher.

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions CSBC 3 (1st)
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 (1.3) Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Practitioner level
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 (3.3) Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner level

Offered Benefits:

Alongside your salary of £46,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,442 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday.
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards.
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications.
• Support for progression.
• Huge range of discounts.
• Enhanced parental leave schemes.

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.