Naval Architect

Company: Navantia UK
Apply for the Naval Architect
Location: Appledore
Job Description:

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy transition ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state‑of‑the‑art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation’s energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state‑owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well‑positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Description

Responsible for providing naval architecture capability across a broad spectrum of projects. You will be providing solutions in support of Navantia UK requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct tasks such as structural analyses, stability analyses, inclining experiments and dry docking.
  • Participate in a wide range of activities including concept design, detailed design, support to build, delivery and in‑service support to a variety of projects.
  • Responsible and accountable for planning and delivery of engineering technical activities.
  • Consult and negotiate with clients regarding work specifications, maintaining effective client interfaces.
  • Quality assurance of work performed, ensuring compliance and alignment to all company procedures, industrial standards, and specific client requirements.
  • Provide expertise on technical issues to ensure maximum possible conversion ratio from quotes to orders.
  • As required provide input/support to tendering and business development activities.
  • Liaise closely with the Technical Lead to ensure they remain informed of all technical issues.
  • Liaise with clients daily and update project status, taking the lead as directed.
  • Detailed engineering work, including but not limited to mooring analysis, offshore installation analysis, hydrodynamic analysis, and quayside mooring analysis.
  • Attend project meetings, prepare project progress reports, liaise with clients and contractors as necessary. Ensure quality control standards are being maintained and implement quality control programmes where necessary.
  • Assist with any other duties as and when required.
  • Conduct structural analyses using ANSYS Finite Element Analysis software and theoretical methods.
  • Conduct stability analyses using Paramarine naval architecture software.
  • Design ship modifications and capability upgrades.
  • Undertake the technical analysis required for dry‑docking of ships.
  • Lend expertise to the through‑life maintenance and support of ships.
  • Participate in a wide range of activities including concept design, detailed design, support to build, delivery and in‑service support to a variety of platforms.
  • Draft, vet, and edit technical reports or other documents relevant to or required by a particular task in order to ensure that technical findings can be successfully communicated with recipients.
  • Participate in the preparation and submission of technical proposals and tenders as required.

Qualifications

  • Qualified to degree level, typically MEng, in Naval Architecture, Marine Technology or Ship Science.
  • Demonstrable knowledge and, ideally, experience in a number of areas including:
  • Conducting and analysing inclining experiments in a MOD framework.
  • Structural analysis, both theoretical and ideally using FEA, preferably ANSYS Workbench.
  • Understanding of dry‑docking theory and practice.
  • Engineering material selection and use, particularly according to British Standards/Euronorms, Classification Society standards and Defence Standards.
  • Caisson design and operation.

Additional Information

  • Permanent position.
  • Competitive salary.
  • Company pension.
  • Life assurance.
  • Opportunity to work on exciting projects.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online, please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…

Posted: May 15th, 2026