Graduate Naval Architect

Graduate Naval Architect

Temporary 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support design and analysis of naval and commercial vessels in a dynamic engineering team.
  • Company: Join Navantia UK, a leader in defence and maritime innovation.
  • Benefits: Gain practical experience, structured development, and work towards Chartered Engineer status.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunity and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career in shipbuilding with real impact on national security and energy.
  • Qualifications: MEng in Naval Architecture or related field; strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

  • Employment Type: Fixed Term
  • Company Description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK's defence, security and energy transition 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 Description

As a Graduate Naval Architect, you will support the basic design, analysis and development of naval and commercial marine vessels across a range of shipbuilding, repair, conversion and marine engineering projects.

Working within a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will assist with vessel design activities, stability assessments, weight management, structural evaluations and technical documentation to ensure designs are safe, efficient and compliant with customer, regulatory and classification society requirements.

The role provides an opportunity to develop specialist naval architecture knowledge and practical engineering experience while contributing to the delivery of complex maritime and defence programmes.

Through mentoring, structured development and practical project experience, you will work towards achieving professional registration and Chartered Engineer status through an appropriate UK Engineering Council licensed institution.

The Role

  • Support the development of naval architecture and ship design solutions for new build, repair, conversion and modernisation projects.
  • Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations, technical reports and design documentation.
  • Support vessel stability assessments, including intact and damage stability analyses.
  • Attend and support Senior Naval Architects during inclining experiments, lightweight surveys, sea trials and other vessel assurance activities.
  • Assist with weight and centre of gravity calculations, weight monitoring and reporting activities.
  • Support the preparation of trim and stability books and associated vessel documentation.
  • Contribute to ship hydrodynamic and performance assessments, including propulsion, resistance and seakeeping studies.
  • Assist with the development of hull form designs, structural arrangements and general arrangement layouts.
  • Support the preparation of docking, mooring and lifting calculations and associated procedures.
  • Produce and maintain engineering drawings, models and documentation using CAD and specialist naval architecture software.
  • Participate in design reviews and technical meetings, providing engineering support to project teams.
  • Assist with ensuring compliance with Classification Society Rules, IMO regulations and customer requirements.
  • Attend vessels, shipyards and project sites to support inspections, design verification activities, production liaison and commissioning support where required.

Qualifications

  • MEng degree (or expected degree) in Naval Architecture, Ship Science, Ocean Engineering, Marine Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Membership of, or willingness to work towards membership of, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) or another relevant professional engineering institution, with the aim of achieving Chartered Engineer status.
  • Understanding of fundamental naval architecture principles, including stability, hydrostatics, vessel arrangements and ship structures.
  • Ability to learn and adapt to specialist naval architecture, engineering and design software packages.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Eligible to work in the UK.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance where necessary.
  • Additional Information

This is an opportunity to start your career in a unique industry, working on complex shipbuilding programmes that require precision, coordination and technical excellence.

You’ll gain practical experience, receive structured development and build skills that will support your long-term career in production planning, manufacturing or operations.

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

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 [emailprotected] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

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Graduate Naval Architect employer: NAVANTIA UK

Navantia UK is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth and development while working in a supportive environment that values health, safety, and environmental standards. Located in a thriving area, the company fosters a sense of community and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.

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Contact Details:

NAVANTIA UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Graduate Naval Architect

Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects

Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!

Tap into Engineering Meetups

Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?

Leverage Your Connections

Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!

Stay Sharp with Online Courses

While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at NAVANTIA UK that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Naval Architect

Naval Architecture
Ship Design
Engineering Calculations
Technical Documentation
Stability Assessments
Weight Management
Structural Evaluations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at NAVANTIA UK, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.

Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like NAVANTIA UK want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!

Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.

Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what NAVANTIA UK will be looking for.

How to prepare for a job interview at NAVANTIA UK

Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills

Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at NAVANTIA UK. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!

Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, NAVANTIA UK might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.

Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles

Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at NAVANTIA UK. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.

Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects

If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at NAVANTIA UK, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.