Graduate Naval Architect

Graduate Naval Architect
Location: Gosport
Permanent | Full Time
30,000 - 32,000
About the Company
Are you looking to begin your career in Naval Architecture with a company where you can see your designs become reality?
Our client is a specialist composite boatbuilder operating within the commercial and defence marine sectors. Designing, manufacturing, repairing, and refitting high-performance Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), they support a diverse customer base that includes commercial operators, emergency services, and government organisations.
Combining innovative engineering with practical boatbuilding expertise, the business undertakes activities spanning concept design, structural engineering, prototype development, sea trials, manufacturing support, repairs, and vessel upgrades. With continued growth and investment in new projects, they are seeking a Graduate Naval Architect to join their engineering team and develop into a well-rounded marine professional.
The Role
This is a unique opportunity for a graduate who enjoys both technical engineering and practical hands-on involvement. You will work closely with experienced Naval Architects, Composite Engineers, and Boatbuilders, supporting projects from initial concept through design validation, testing, manufacture, and in-service improvements.
The role is highly varied and will provide exposure to vessel design, structural analysis, model and prototype testing, data collection, manufacturing processes, and sea trials. You will be encouraged to develop both your engineering knowledge and practical understanding of how composite vessels are designed, built, and maintained.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the design and development of commercial and specialist RIBs and composite craft.
• Producing engineering calculations relating to vessel performance, stability, strength, and weight estimation.
• Assisting with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of composite, aluminium, and structural boat components.
• Conducting simulations and performance assessments to validate vessel designs and engineering solutions.
• Supporting physical model testing, prototype evaluation, and on-water sea trials.
• Collecting, analysing, and interpreting test data to support design improvements and engineering decisions.
• Scaling and correlating test results to full-sized vessel performance.
• Assisting with hull form development, structural layouts, and systems integration.
• Producing technical documentation, reports, calculations, and design reviews.
• Working closely with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and cost-effective.
• Supporting repair, refit, and vessel modification projects, including structural assessments and fault investigations.
• Visiting workshops, build facilities, suppliers, and customer sites as required.
• Assisting with compliance activities relating to relevant industry standards and certification requirements.

About You

• Degree qualified (BEng, MEng, MSc or equivalent) in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ship Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in small craft, high-performance vessels, and composite boatbuilding.
• Understanding of naval architecture fundamentals including stability, structures, hydrodynamics, and vessel performance.
• Experience using CAD software such as Rhino, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar.
• Familiarity with FEA software such as Ansys, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation, or equivalent.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working with engineering data, simulations, and technical reports.
• Practical mindset with a willingness to get involved in workshop, testing, and sea trial activities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Passionate about developing a career within the marine sector.

Why Apply?
This is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing and innovative marine engineering business where you will gain exposure to the complete vessel lifecycle, from concept design and engineering analysis through to manufacture, launch, testing, and in-service support.
Unlike many graduate naval architecture positions, this role offers genuine hands-on involvement alongside technical engineering work, providing an excellent foundation for a long-term career within the commercial boatbuilding industry.
You will work alongside experienced marine professionals, gain exposure to cutting-edge composite vessel projects, and have the opportunity to develop into a highly capable Naval Architect with both practical and theoretical expertise.
*Please note that my client are not able to provide sponsorships at this time.

If you are passionate about boats, engineering, and seeing your designs come to life, we would love to hear from you.
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