Naval Architect

Job Description

Role & responsibilities

Role Summary

We are looking for a Naval Architect to support our Technical Department across the full vessel life cycle. The role will lead the technical preparation of dry-dock and repair specifications for the operating fleet, support newbuilding projects from specification through plan approval and delivery, and make sure all modifications, repairs and new designs meet class rules, flag requirements and international regulations. The Naval Architect will work closely with Technical Superintendents, shipyards, classification societies, equipment makers and the vessels themselves.

Key Responsibilities

Dry-Dock Specifications

• Prepare dry-dock specifications covering hull, structure, coatings and survey items due, based on class status, UTM reports and superintendent inputs.
• Estimate steel renewal and coating quantities; support yard enquiries and quotation comparison.
• Compile class and statutory survey requirements due at dry-dock (special survey, intermediate survey, tailshaft, boiler, BWM / exhaust gas cleaning system installation windows) into the specification.
• Attend dry-docks as required and prepare post-dock reports.

Repair Specifications Operating Vessels

• Prepare afloat and voyage repair specifications for structural damage, corrosion and conditions of class.
• Propose repair methods and prepare sketches and calculations for class approval.
• Support the Technical Superintendents with hull and structural condition assessment, including review of ESP / CAP / hull inspection reports and vessel inspection findings (PSC, SIRE / CDI / RightShip, owner and charterer inspections).

Newbuilding Specifications

• Review yard specifications, makers' lists and drawings; propose owner's amendments based on operational experience.
• Support plan approval and attend key milestones (inclining test, sea trials, delivery) as required.
• Prepare and maintain the company's standard owner's newbuilding specification and comments by vessel type.
• Review basic and detail design drawings (hull structure, GA, capacity plan, trim and stability booklet, loading manual, tank arrangements, outfitting) and issue owner's comments.
• Evaluate yard proposals for hull form, speed–power performance, deadweight, cargo capacity and fuel consumption, including model test and sea-trial results.
• Assess energy-efficiency design options (hull form optimisation, energy-saving devices, air lubrication, propeller design, alternative-fuel readiness) for EEDI / EEXI / CII performance.

Rules and Regulations

• Ensure specifications, repairs and modifications comply with class, flag and IMO requirements.
• Track upcoming regulations, assess fleet impact, and handle class / flag submissions for modifications and retrofits.
• Support the fleet in responding to class findings, PSC deficiencies and vetting observations with a technical structural or naval architecture element.

Technical Support

• Maintain vessel drawings, stability documents and dock/repair records; support vessel acquisition due diligence.
• Support technical due diligence for vessel acquisitions (review of class records, structural condition, design and regulatory status).
• Contribute to dry-dock budgets, repair cost estimates and lessons-learned reviews.

Regulatory Knowledge Required

Working knowledge of the following is expected:

• SOLAS (including structural, subdivision and stability requirements), Load Line Convention, Tonnage Convention
• MARPOL Annexes I–VI, including EEDI / EEXI / CII and SEEMP requirements
• Ballast Water Management Convention and AFS Convention
• IACS Unified Requirements and Common Structural Rules (CSR), and IMO Goal-Based Standards
• Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) requirements and thickness measurement criteria
• Hong Kong Convention / EU Ship Recycling Regulation (IHM)
• Rules of the major classification societies (DNV, ABS, LR, BV, ClassNK, IRS)
• Flag state requirements for the fleet's main registries; awareness of OCIMF / vetting expectations where relevant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Naval Architecture (B.Tech / B.E. / M.Tech or equivalent).
• A postgraduate qualification or membership of RINA / IMarEST / SNAME is added advantage.
• Classification experience preferred.

Experience

• [2–3] years' experience in naval architecture, gained through a combination of:
• shipyard (newbuilding or repair) or ship design office, and
• ship management / ship owning technical department.
• Proven experience writing dry-dock and repair specifications and attending dry-docks.
• Exposure to newbuilding plan approval or site supervision.
• Experience with [bulk carriers / tankers / containers is preferred.

More Info

Education