Senior Naval Architect in Southampton

Senior Naval Architect in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Foreship Ltd.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative naval architecture projects and drive sustainability in ship design.
  • Company: Join Foreship UK, a leader in ship design and engineering consultancy.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, healthcare, hybrid working, and professional development support.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and mentoring.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the marine sector while working with world-class professionals.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Naval Architecture and 7+ years of relevant experience required.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Exceptional Principal Naval Architect required to join Foreship UK, a leader in ship design and architecture consulting, to support its continued growth strategy. You will drive high quality naval architecture deliverables across complex ship design, conversion and sustainability focused projects. You will support the UK MD in shaping the strategic direction of naval architecture, as the Marine sector endeavours to innovate in a world immersed in sustainability augmentation, compliance and regulation. Based out of our Southampton (HQ), Leatherhead, Chippenham or Manchester offices, Foreship UK operates a hybrid working model, though you will be required to travel or shipboard across the UK and internationally occasionally.

Responsibilities

  • As a trusted client advisor, you will lead and deliver technically rigorous projects, predominantly on large and complex vessels and high value conversions.
  • Technical delivery – Plan, and deliver complex naval architecture projects (i.e. stability, hydrostatics/hydrodynamics and structures interfaces); produce and review calculations, drawings and reports to class/flag and client standards.
  • Leadership – Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, including drydock support and on‑site supervision.
  • Concept & conversion design – Lead feasibility and concept development for conversions and energy‑efficiency upgrades (e.g. battery integration, alternative fuels and next generation vessel concepts).
  • Regulatory & class interface – Apply strong regulatory knowledge of IMO, class society rules, and emerging GHG compliance requirements to ensure design conformity and support class approval processes.
  • Client engagement – Serve as a technical authority; translate needs into scopes, present findings, and contribute to proposals and thought leadership supporting Foreship’s market presence.
  • People & quality – Coach and review the work of junior engineers; apply internal quality procedures and ensure traceability of calculations and assumptions per company standards.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Degree in Naval Architecture or related discipline; Chartered Engineer (CEng)
  • 7+ years’ Naval Architecture experience across concept/basic design, conversions or owner’s engineer roles within passenger/yacht/ferry/naval or comparable complex vessels.
  • Strong working knowledge of class and statutory frameworks.
  • Proficiency with naval architecture toolsets (e.g., NAPA, GHS, Maxsurf) and 2D/3D CAD (AutoCAD/Rhino).
  • Demonstrable consultancy and client facing skills; experience of coordinating multi‑disciplinary inputs.
  • Ideally project delivery experience across decarbonization and/or energy‑efficiency retrofits (battery/hybrid, alternative fuels, SCR, EEXI/CII strategies).
  • Prior involvement in model testing/CFD, trials, and performance validation.
  • Mentoring/coaching experience and participation in industry bodies/technical forums.
  • You must be a British citizen or have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Matched 6% pension
  • Life Assurance
  • Healthcare Insurance
  • 25 days leave (plus bank holidays)
  • Option to buy more holiday
  • Smart/hybrid Working policy
  • Professional development, support with qualifications (i.e. Chartership)
  • Pay for professional membership
  • Support of Military Reservists – 10 additional paid days
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • E‑Vehicle scheme
  • Employee perks – retail discounts
  • Generous recruitment referral bonus
  • 4 half days paid leave for STEM Ambassadors
  • Season ticket loan

At RINA, we endeavor to create a work environment where every single person is valued and encouraged to develop new ideas. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind.

Senior Naval Architect in Southampton employer: Foreship Ltd.

Foreship UK is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability in the marine sector, offering a dynamic work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits, and a supportive hybrid working model, team members are empowered to lead complex naval architecture projects while contributing to meaningful advancements in ship design. Located in vibrant cities like Southampton, Leatherhead, Chippenham, and Manchester, Foreship UK provides unique opportunities for growth and collaboration within a diverse and inclusive culture.

Foreship Ltd.

Contact Details:

Foreship Ltd. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Naval Architect in Southampton

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join online forums. The more people you know in the naval architecture field, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in naval architecture. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of current trends in sustainability and energy efficiency. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Foreship's goals.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Naval Architect in Southampton

Naval Architecture
Project Management
Regulatory Knowledge
Client Engagement
Technical Delivery
Feasibility Studies
Concept Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in naval architecture, especially in complex projects and sustainability. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant achievements!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about naval architecture and how you can contribute to Foreship UK’s growth strategy. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with naval architecture tools and software like NAPA or AutoCAD. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know what you bring to the table!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Foreship UK!

How to prepare for a job interview at Foreship Ltd.

Know Your Naval Architecture Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your naval architecture knowledge, especially around stability, hydrostatics, and hydrodynamics. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving complex vessels or energy-efficiency upgrades.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since the role involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams, think of examples where you've successfully led a project or mentored junior engineers. Highlight your ability to manage diverse inputs and ensure quality delivery.

Understand Regulatory Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the latest IMO regulations and class society rules. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in past projects, especially regarding GHG compliance and design conformity.

Engage with Client Needs

Prepare to demonstrate your consultancy skills by discussing how you've translated client needs into actionable scopes. Think about times when you've presented findings or contributed to proposals that enhanced your company's market presence.