Habitation Lead in Belfast

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Purpose

Actively collaborate with the Habitation Manager to lead and manage the Habitation area based on strategies and policies aligned with H&W's applicable strategies and policies. Actively collaborate with the Habitation Manager to develop and strengthen knowledge and operational capabilities within the Habitation trade to meet all Programs requirements effectively and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• HSE - Preventive leadership. Actively collaborate to ensure the compliance of the annual Prevention and Environmental plans for the Habitation area.
• Resources Management - Support the Habitation Manager in managing the productive resources within the area under their responsibility. Actively collaborate in the monitoring and tracking Budget (U.P.A. and P.O.A.), area expenses, project scheduling, workload, and underactivity within the area under their responsibility. Coordinate the activities of the Habitation area, for each project/program executed by H&W ensuring that work is carried out in accordance with proper procedures and work methods and applying established quality standards and criteria. Support the Habitation Manager to manage production carried out within the scope of Habitation, to suggest hiring decisions when production requirements exceed the shipyard's own capacity and to manage and supervise subcontracted work. Manage the H&W Habitation area resources, or the subcontracted.
• Technical and Quality - To follow and/or execute the Habitation Policy/Plan for each project/program to be executed by H&W. To provide technical support to the programmes in all matters relating to Habitation. Improve production processes affecting Habitation-related disciplines, promoting continuous improvement, the use of information technologies, and technological advancement, including training and development of personnel. Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, and with the Operations areas in the contracting process through the preparation of specifications and/or technical evaluations. Propose any improvements or changes related to organization, personnel, infrastructure, and investments necessary for the optimized functioning of the area. Support the definition and develop the necessary Procedures for the execution of each project/program to be carried out by H&W. Ensure the implementation, development, and communication of Quality through the integration and compliance with the QMS within their area of responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate ability to guide, mentor and develop a team as a leader.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Good planning and organisational skills, including ability to interpret and update project plans, identifying areas where progress is impacting the success of the project and proposing necessary changes to recover any variance.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Familiarity with naval and maritime codes, including classification society rules and regulations and Defence standards.
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resources Planning, ERP, systems proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to understand Earned Value Management (EVM), to aid in decision-making to ensure the SPI and CPI of the project is in a healthy condition.

Qualifications Education and Experience

• Proven understanding of ship Habitation documentation, including but not limited to Ship’s systems/works as HVAC, deck plates, false floors and ceilings, habitation and furniture, refrigerated spaces, magazines, stores, galleys, laundries and ship metalwork, stowage, doors, in compliance with class rules (experience in military projects is highly desirable).
• Demonstrable experience (preferably more than 7 years, minimum 5) in the manufacture, installation, and integration of Habitation systems within the naval or marine industry.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications accurately.
• Familiarity with international standards and naval classification regulations.

Additional Information

• Competitive base pay
• Company pension
• Health care cash plan (optional)
• 33 days holiday (pro rata)
• Onsite parking

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination. We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance. If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at and one of the team will be in contact to help you.