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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative naval ship design projects and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
- Company: Join Navantia UK, a leader in naval solutions with over 300 years of shipbuilding expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of naval innovation while making a real impact on defence and maritime capabilities.
- Qualifications: Degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering; experience in leading complex ship design projects required.
- Other info: We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
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 country.
Job Description
Design Manager – Naval Ship Design
Shaping the Future of Naval Innovation
Navantia UK is a leading provider of innovative naval solutions, specializing in the design, construction, and lifecycle support of naval ships. As part of the global Navantia Group, we pride ourselves on delivering cutting-edge technologies and world-class services across the maritime sector. Based in Bristol, we are seeking an experienced Design Manager for Naval Ship Design to lead ship design projects and ensure the delivery of innovative, efficient, and compliant naval vessels.
This role offers an opportunity to oversee complex ship design projects, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and ensure that design solutions meet operational, safety, and regulatory standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future of naval ship design within our organization.
Role Overview:
We are looking for a visionary Design Manager for Naval Ship Design to lead ship design teams for allocated projects in a senior technical leadership capacity. This pivotal role will be responsible for managing the ship design process, from concept development through definition design, ensuring integration of all technical disciplines, and maintaining high standards of quality and innovation.
You will oversee the integration of key design elements such as arrangements, hydrodynamics, structural integrity, systems integration, and compliance with international and naval standards. Your leadership will ensure that design solutions are optimised for performance, cost, and operational requirements, while adhering to safety and environmental regulations.
As the Design Manager, you will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, provide technical guidance, and foster innovation in ship design. You will also liaise with stakeholders, including clients, regulatory bodies, and internal departments, to deliver high-quality, compliant naval vessels.
You may be required to act in the role of Chief Engineer for allocated ship design projects and therefore you will have experience of leading significant naval ship design projects. This role may also extend through functional and detail design phases subject to project and business requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Design and Project Development Director you will lead the ship design team for allocated ship design projects, ensuring the development of innovative and compliant naval ship designs. Key aspects of this include:
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- Developing innovative ship designs adopting new technologies to improve capabilities, sustainability and to reduce or eliminate crew.
- Ensuring integration of all technical disciplines to arrive at a coherent compliant and suitably mature design solution.
- Coordinating with project management to meet technical milestones, budgets, and quality standards.
- Ensuring designs meet operational requirements, reliability, availability, safety standards, and environmental regulations.
- Promoting the adoption of advanced design methodologies, including PLM, digital modelling and simulation tools to improve efficiency, compliance, coherency and traceability.
- Collaborating with manufacturing, systems engineering, and other technical teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
- Implementing design to cost methodologies and cost / capability trade-off to ensure the developed design can be built within budgetary constraints.
- Oversee the design process, from initial concept to definition design delivery ensuring suitable maturity is reached to support contract placement, capturing assessing and managing technical risks.
- Develop design delivery strategy, scopes of work and project schedules aligned to client requirements and the internal needs of the business.
- Maintain awareness of industry standards, regulations, and emerging technologies relevant to naval ship design.
- Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to Navantia’s innovation strategy and product development.
- Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with governance requirements including quality management system and design review procedures.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
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A degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline.
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Proven experience leading complex naval ship design projects.
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Expertise in ship design principles and industry regulations.
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Proficiency with digital design, CAD, and simulation tools.
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Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
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Chartered or professionally recognised status (desirable).
Additional Information
Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.
If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.
If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.
Design Manager - Naval Ship Design employer: Navantia UK
Contact Detail:
Navantia UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Naval Ship Design
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in naval ship design and technologies. Being knowledgeable about cutting-edge tools and methodologies will not only impress us but also show your commitment to innovation in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the naval architecture and marine engineering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into what we value at Navantia UK.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in past projects. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others, so showcasing this experience is crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Research our company culture and values. Understanding what drives us at Navantia UK will help you align your approach and demonstrate how you can contribute to our mission of delivering innovative naval solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Naval Ship Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Design Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in naval ship design and leadership.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly outline your experience in leading complex naval ship design projects. Emphasise your expertise in ship design principles, digital design tools, and any relevant certifications or professional status.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for naval innovation and how your background aligns with Navantia UK's mission. Highlight specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver compliant designs.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role requires strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, provide examples in your application that illustrate your ability to mentor teams, foster innovation, and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Navantia UK
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll be expected to lead multidisciplinary teams. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you motivate teams, and how you handle conflicts or challenges within a project.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Familiarise yourself with the latest naval design principles and technologies. Be ready to talk about specific projects you've worked on, the tools you used, and how you ensured compliance with industry regulations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you had to integrate various technical disciplines or manage project risks effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since liaising with clients and regulatory bodies is crucial, prepare to discuss how you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to align project goals with client expectations.
