Principal Naval Architect

Job Description

Principal Naval Architect – Commercial Vessels

BMT is dedicated to tackling the most crucial engineering challenges of our era, fostering an environment where individuals with exceptional technical expertise provide meaningful, practical solutions. Committed to creating a safer, more efficient, effective, and sustainable future, BMT values diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving our business purpose. Learn more about BMT at www.bmt.org.

At BMT, we pride ourselves on being a verified flexible workplace, providing freedom and choice. We understand not everyone has the same needs in order to make work work for them and their lives - we'd love you to discuss any requirements for flexibility with us - we can't promise to fulfil every request but we do promise to listen to what matters to you. Learn more about our flexible status at Flexa Careers

Why Work for Us?

Joining BMT means gaining access to a comprehensive set of employee benefits designed to empower your success. In addition to a competitive salary, our offerings encompass health, family, finance, and personal development, including:

• Private Medical (family coverage)
• Enhanced Pension
• 18 weeks enhanced maternity pay (after a qualifying period of 1 year)
• Family friendly policies
• Committed to an inclusive culture
• Wellbeing Fund – an annual fund for personal hobbies or interests
• 26 Days Annual Leave (plus bank holidays)
• Holiday Trading
• Retail Vouchers
• Professional Subscriptions

About the role

Our Naval Architecture capability is currently expanding, and we have a position for a Principal Naval Architect with +10 years of experience to enhance our existing team. We are looking for innovative and inspiring individuals who have the passion and drive to join our forward-thinking Commercial Team. You will have the opportunity to make a valuable contribution towards a wide variety of projects and enquiries, spanning the full breadth of our portfolio including; Crew Transfer Vessels, Service Operations Vessels, ferries, patrol boats and workboats. The work ranges from concept design, initial enquiry assessments and tender bids, to detailed project naval architecture through the Class, Production and Build phase of vessels that will operate in the offshore energy support, government/security and ferry sectors, around the world.

The role will require you to lead multi-disciplinary teams to develop a suitable hull form, undertake lightship weight analysis for vessel structure, systems and outfit, determine the required propulsion system to meet the operational requirements using a combination of model test data and CFD methods, work with other team members to develop 3d render images to support tender submissions, carry out seakeeping assessments through model testing and analytically, undertake intact and damage stability assessment, develop global structural arrangements and much more.

You will work with our three sector leads who are interfacing with our potential clients on their technical design requirements. you will also interface with our sales team for future opportunities, programmes team on project delivery and our chief engineer in the technical quality of our outputs.

The role is nominally based at our Southampton office (the office location is planned to be moving to Whiteley in March 2025) working 3 days in office however, we will consider applicants who wish a more flexible and hybrid working arrangement. While the role is nominally full time, we will also consider applicants who wish to work part time.

About you

BMT’s Naval Architects enjoy an environment where we constantly challenge ourselves, our partners and our competitors. You will be self-motivated, innovative, flexible and able, both individually and as part of a team, to consistently deliver for our clients. You will be responsible for contributing to a range of varied and challenging projects that will deliver both success for our clients and develop your skills and experience.

You will have a Bachelors or Masters level degree in Naval Architecture with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the marine industry.

Leading a team of Naval Architects, you will have a strong background in Naval Architecture principles, with the experience to apply these principles in a practical and dynamic way within a design environment. Experience with relevant codes of practice and Classification Society rules and practical experience in vessel construction is desirable.

You will be competent in fundamental Naval Architecture tasks such as hull design and stability calculation, weight calculation, performance prediction, model testing, seakeeping analysis, tank plan development and arrangement drawings.

Experience of one or more types of vessel that BMT designs is desirable which includes Crew Transfer Vessels, Service Operations Vessels, ferries, patrol boats, workboats etc. covering diverse hull form types ranging from slow & high speed catamarans, deep vee planning monohulls, extreme semi-SWATHs, SWATHSs, SES, Pentamaran and many more.

Ideally you will possess advanced level skills in 2D/3D CAD (AutoCAD), and other specialist software skills would be an advantage to produce and review design information.

You’ll be commercially aware, ensuring that work is being carried out and completed to an appropriate standard and level of detail. You will produce clear and well-presented drawings and plans to a suitable quality and standard. A high degree of initiative and self-drive is essential for this rewarding role, ensuring that agreed targets and deliverable deadlines can be met.

You will have experience in Project Management and in the supervision and management of project teams. Experience in guiding and supporting colleagues, including checking that work is in accordance with the appropriate standards.

You will also have excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to communicate directly with our customers, stakeholders and project teams.

Missing skills or experience? Let us be the judge! BMT are passionate about people; we recognise that technology moves quickly and that no one can learn everything, which is why we seek those who can adapt and demonstrate the aptitude to learn. With enthusiasm and the right attitude, we can help you discover your potential.

What's Next?

If you are ready to contribute your skills and passion to a dynamic team addressing impactful challenges, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity with BMT. Join us in shaping a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future.

A message to recruitment agencies: We receive applications exclusively via our ATS. Please note that we do not accept CVs submitted via email to the HR department or staff within our Operational teams. We will not progress CVs shared on a speculative basis by email and you accept our right to pursue such candidates with no obligation to third-party terms and conditions or liability to a fee