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- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems for cleaner shipping.
- Company: Fast-growing maritime tech company focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global shipping technology and the environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering with experience in marine structural design.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Southampton Hybrid (3 days per week on-site) £65,000 - £75,000 + excellent benefits package. Relocation package and Visa/Sponsorship support available.
About the Opportunity
Our client is a fast-growing maritime technology company developing innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems designed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions across the global shipping industry. They are now looking to appoint a Principal Design Engineer to join their growing engineering team. This is a hands-on, technically challenging role with broad involvement across the full product lifecycle from concept development through to detailed design and production-ready hardware.
Working closely with the Head of Engineering, you will take ownership of critical subsystems and play a key role in delivering designs that are robust, manufacturable, compliant, and ready for real-world deployment. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about sustainability and advanced engineering to contribute directly to cleaner, more efficient global shipping technology.
Key Requirements
We are looking for an experienced Mechanical, Structural, Naval, or Marine Engineer with strong expertise in marine structural design, analysis, and classification-led approval processes.
- Degree qualification in Naval, Mechanical, Structural, or Marine Engineering
- Approximately 5 - 10 years experience designing marine structures approved by classification societies
- Strong proficiency with Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, or similar 3D CAD tools
- Strong experience in structural analysis, including FEA and hand calculations
- Proven ability translating load cases into robust, validated structural designs
- Experience working directly with classification societies and supporting technical approval
- Experience with DNV, Lloyds Register (LR), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK), or similar bodies
- Strong understanding of DFMA, structural integrity, and manufacturability
- Solution-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capability
- Comfortable working within a fast-paced and evolving engineering environment
Desirable Experience
- Fatigue, buckling, and large welded structures
- Aero-structural systems or performance-led structural design
- Validation of engineering models against real-world operational data
- Structural testing, validation, and manufacturing techniques
Role & Responsibilities
As Principal Design Engineer, you will lead the structural and mechanical development of key product subsystems, ensuring designs meet performance, compliance, and delivery objectives. Responsibilities include:
- Leading the mechanical design of major subsystems
- Owning the development of wing geometry, balancing: performance, manufacturability, structural integrity
- Developing and managing load cases across classification and operational conditions
- Translating load cases into clear engineering design requirements
- Defining structural design philosophy and ensuring classification compliance
- Performing and overseeing structural analysis and design verification
- Improving internal structural analysis methods and tools
- Leading technical engagement with classification societies
- Acting as the internal authority for stress and fatigue analysis
- Supporting and mentoring junior engineers where appropriate
- Promoting high standards of engineering integrity, safety, and sustainability
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business developing real-world clean technology with genuine environmental impact. You will benefit from:
- Working on innovative climate-impact hardware
- High levels of ownership and technical influence
- Broad exposure from concept through to production
- The opportunity to grow alongside a scaling engineering business
- A collaborative and mission-driven engineering culture
Principal Design Engineer in Portsmouth employer: Get2Talent
Contact Detail:
Get2Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Portsmouth
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience and technical skills. We want to see how you’ve tackled real-world problems, especially in marine structural design. Bring examples of your work to the table!
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss your design philosophy and analysis methods. We recommend practising common interview questions related to structural integrity and manufacturability. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience in marine structural design and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of developing innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for sustainability and advanced engineering. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to cleaner, more efficient global shipping technology.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your proficiency with 3D CAD tools like Siemens NX or Autodesk Inventor. Mention any experience with structural analysis and classification-led approval processes, as these are key to the role. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical expertise!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Get2Talent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of marine structural design and the classification-led approval processes. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Siemens NX or Autodesk Inventor, and how you've applied them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your solution-oriented mindset. Think of specific challenges you've faced in structural analysis or design verification, and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a fast-paced engineering environment.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with the company’s focus on sustainability and innovative technology. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to cleaner, more efficient global shipping solutions.
✨Engage with Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to load cases, structural integrity, and manufacturability. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as this will show your depth of understanding and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.