Senior Naval Architect

Job Title\: Senior Naval Architect

Location\: Portsmouth Naval Base. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Grade\: GG10

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

This vacancy is open to permanent and fixed-term BAE Systems employees only.

While agency workers have access to relevant permanent opportunities, this role has been designated as an internal opportunity and therefore only permanent and fixed-term employees of BAE Systems are eligible to apply.

Job Description\:

The Senior Naval Architect (“SNA”) is an engineering professional who will provide leadership and expertise in the naval architecture discipline to any one of a number of projects or contracts across Maritime Services.

The SNA will also be responsible for overseeing the output of other naval architects and engineers in the respective project that they are working in. Travel to foreign or UK locations may be required periodically.

Core Duties\:

• Assure drydockings of ships and conduct ship stability/hydromechanics analysis
• Conduct structural design and analysis for various materials including metals and composites
• Conduct engineering design of modifications or upgrades
• Create or assure structural repair plans for metals or composites and support the periodical survey, repair and certification requirements of the Class including repair assurance activities and the collation/ creation of evidence and submissions for Naval Authority or Classification Society Certification
• Ensure maintenance of Naval Architecture (including structures and outfit) design intent by understanding and promoting or enacting design compliance in their sphere of operations
• Take action and collate evidence to ensure Naval Authority Key Hazard Certification is not compromised. Including identifying, and challenging design change that may cause invalidation of any of the Naval Authority Key Hazard Certificates in the Naval Architecture domain (covering Structural Strength, Stability and WTI, Escape, Evacuation and Rescue (EER), Structural Fire Protection, Material Fire Safety)
• Provide structural expertise to support the periodical survey, repair and certification requirements of the Class including repair assurance activities and the collation of evidence for Naval Authority Certification or Classification Society submissions

Essential Skills\:

• You will be degree qualified, or equivalent, in naval architecture, marine technology or other relevant engineering field
• You will be a Chartered Engineer or can demonstrate a clear route to achieving this in a defined period
• You will have experience leading, conducting and analysing Inclining Experiments in a MOD framework
• You will have knowledge of structural analysis, both theoretical and ideally using FEA, preferably ANSYS Workbench
• You will have knowledge of Drydocking theory and practice

The Naval Architecture team\:

Experience the impact of your work every day. The Naval Architecture team operates at the heart of our Naval Base, ensuring you see your achievements come to life on Royal Navy vessels. You will be making a real difference for our UK defence, by helping those who serve and protect us.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date\: 16th November 2026