Job Title: Principal Naval Architect
Location: Devonport, Plymouth, Rosyth, Fife, Bristol
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF
Lead the Future of Naval Design
The role
As a Principal Naval Architect, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. This is a highly prestigious position within our complex shipbuilding programme, where you’ll lead the development of technical solutions across outfitting — from concept design studies and new build bid submissions to final vessel acceptance. Your work will shape the future of naval engineering, support national security, and open doors for your own career growth.
Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
1. Lead design teams throughout the design lifecycle to ensure coordination and functionality.
2. Support and develop team members to enhance performance and career progression.
3. Develop innovative design solutions and produce substantiation reports for tasks such as stability assessments and concept designs.
4. Produce technical reports and maintain high standards of engineering outputs.
5. Collaborate across projects within the wider engineering capability group for long-term career development.
This role is full time and is a hybrid role with 2 days onsite and 3 days working from home.
Essential experience of the Principal Naval Architect:
6. Proven experience in the naval/marine industry.
7. Proficiency in naval architecture design packages (e.g., Paramarine, Maxsurf, Aveva).
8. Experience with naval platforms (surface ships and submarines advantageous).
Qualifications for the Principal Naval Architect:
9. Degree-qualified (HND/HNC with extensive relevant experience considered).
10. Membership of a relevant institution (e.g., RINA, IET, IMechE, IMarEst).
11. Chartered Engineer status.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at