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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative marine structures for cleaner shipping solutions.
- Company: Fast-growing maritime tech company focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team making a real impact on climate change.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering with 5-10 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton hybrid, 3 days per week on-site
Salary: 65-85K plus excellent benefits package. A relocation package and Visa/Sponsorship support is available for this role if required.
About The Opportunity
Our client is a fast-growing maritime technology business developing wind-assisted propulsion systems that help reduce fuel consumption and emissions across global shipping. They are now looking to appoint a Principal Design Engineer to join their growing engineering team. This is a hands-on role with broad involvement across the design lifecycle, from concept development through to detailed design and production-ready hardware. Working closely with the Head of Engineering, you will take ownership of key subsystems, helping to deliver designs that are robust, manufacturable, compliant, and ready for real-world use. This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven business developing real climate-impact technology in a highly innovative environment and would suit someone genuinely motivated by sustainability and the opportunity to contribute to cleaner shipping.
Responsibilities
- Leading the mechanical design of subsystems in line with programme objectives
- Owning the development of wing geometry, balancing performance, structural integrity, and manufacturability
- Developing and managing load cases across classification and real-world operating conditions
- Translating load cases into clear design requirements
- Defining structural design philosophy and ensuring compliance with classification standards
- Performing and overseeing structural analysis and design verification
- Developing and improving in-house structural analysis tools and methods
- Leading technical engagement with classification societies
- Acting as the internal authority for stress and fatigue analysis
- Supporting and reviewing the work of more 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 for the global shipping market.
You Will Benefit From
- Working on real climate-impact hardware
- High levels of ownership within a small engineering team
- Broad exposure from concept through to production
- The opportunity to grow and progress with the business as the technology scales
Qualifications
Key Requirements
We are looking for an experienced Mechanical / Structural / Marine Engineer with strong expertise in marine structural design, analysis, and classification-led approval.
You Should Bring
- Degree qualification in Naval, Mechanical, Structural, or Marine Engineering
- Around 5-10 years experience designing marine structures approved by classification societies
- Strong proficiency in Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, or similar 3D CAD tools
- Strong experience in structural analysis, including FEA and hand calculations
- Proven experience translating load cases into robust design requirements and validated structures
- Experience working directly with classification societies and supporting technical approval
- Experience with DNV, LR, NK or similar bodies
- Strong understanding of DFMA, structural integrity, and manufacturability
- Solution-driven approach
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, chaotic environment
Desirable Experience
- Experience in fatigue, buckling, and large welded structures
- Exposure to aero-structural systems or other performance-led structural design
- Experience validating models against real-world data
- Knowledge of structural testing, validation, and manufacturing techniques
Salary
Salary Type: Annual Salary
Salary Min: £65,000
Salary Max: £75,000
Currency Type: GBP
Principal Design Engineer in Southampton employer: NPAworldwide
Contact Detail:
NPAworldwide Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Southampton
✨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 Principal Design Engineer role.
✨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. Talk about your projects, especially those related to marine structures and sustainability. We want to see your passion for clean technology shine through!
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss your design philosophy and structural analysis methods. We recommend practising common interview questions related to FEA and load cases. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to impress!
✨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 take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s get you on board to make a real impact in the maritime tech world!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in Southampton
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 clean technology!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for sustainability and how it drives your engineering work. Let us know why you're excited about joining our team and contributing to cleaner shipping solutions.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your experience with classification societies and structural analysis tools. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make it clear how your background fits the bill!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at NPAworldwide
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of marine structural design and the specific technologies used in wind-assisted propulsion systems. Familiarise yourself with classification standards and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving structural analysis and design verification. Highlight your hands-on experience with tools like Siemens NX or Autodesk Inventor, and be ready to explain how you tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
This role requires a solution-driven approach, so think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex engineering problems. Be prepared to discuss how you translate load cases into design requirements and ensure compliance with classification standards.
✨Emphasise Your Team Spirit
As you'll be working closely with other engineers, it's important to show that you're a team player. Share experiences where you've supported junior engineers or collaborated with cross-functional teams, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to a mission-driven business focused on sustainability.