Naval Architect 3 - 28243

About the role

This opportunity resides within Uncrewed Systems (UxS), supporting advanced naval unmanned surface vessel (USV/MUSV) development, autonomy integration, and prototype test execution. We design, build, integrate, and test state-of-the-art unmanned maritime systems for national defense and commercial partners. Our team takes a comprehensive "cradle-to-grave" approach to every program—we don't just design; we develop, integrate, build, test, and deploy. Working within our collaborative, cross-functional environment, team members have unique opportunities to expand their expertise across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and/or review structural, weight, stability, hydrodynamic, maneuvering and seakeeping characteristics to ensure MUSV designs meet threshold performance requirements.
• Understand American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards and/or Navy Ship Design standards and/or USCG Rules.
• Apply rulesets to autonomous vessels.
• Translate MUSV SOW requirements into engineering products including specifications, interface documentation, design drawing reviews, and configuration baselines.
• Provide engineering oversight during shipyard construction or conversion activities—monitor progress, verify construction quality, and ensure alignment with approved design standards.
• Collaborate closely with autonomy, C2, electrical, and mechanical systems teams to ensure vessel design supports integrated unmanned operation requirements.
• Support development of test vessel descriptions, test plans, and engineering procedures required for MUSV prototype demonstrations.
• Participate in major milestone events including Post-Award Conference, pre-test inspections, and government witness events as required by the MUSV test plan.
• Support risk identification and mitigation related to design maturity, manufacturability, and shipyard workflow.
• Travel to shipyards, subcontractor facilities, government test sites, and partner locations as needed.

Requirements

• 5 years relevant experience with Bachelors in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or closely related technical field; 3 years relevant experience with Masters in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or closely related technical field; or 0 years experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or closely related technical field.
• 5+ years experience in shipyard construction, vessel design, or marine engineering; experience with commercial or naval craft strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of ABS rules, ISO standards, and naval/marine classification requirements applicable to MUSV construction.
• Experience supporting or executing work inside active shipyards, including oversight of electrical, outfitting, configuration and mechanical installations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including autonomy, controls, software, test engineering, and supply chain.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to travel (20–40%), including periodic shipyard and waterfront support.

Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned surface vessels, autonomy integration, or advanced marine control systems.
• ABS class approval processes for novel or autonomous vessel designs.
• Experience performing or reviewing stability analyses, weight reporting, structural design, and hydrodynamic modeling.
• Familiarity with STANAG seakeeping environments, COLREGs-compliant autonomous vessel considerations, or unmanned system integration preferred.
• Experience with hull conversions, re-powering, or refit programs applicable to MUSV conversion options.
• Familiarity with cyber-resilient system design, technical data management, or RMF/SSP considerations for unmanned vessels.
• Prior participation in prototype testing, sea trials, or government-observed evaluations.

Skills

• Experience with unmanned surface vessels, autonomy integration, or advanced marine control systems.
• Understanding of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards and/or Navy Ship Design standards and/or USCG Rules.
• Ability to interpret and develop engineering drawings, 3D models, test procedures, and technical data packages.
• Experience supporting or executing work inside active shipyards, including oversight of electrical, outfitting, configuration and mechanical installations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including autonomy, controls, software, test engineering, and supply chain.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to travel (20–40%), including periodic shipyard and waterfront support.

Benefits

At HII, we offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $86,522.00 - $123,604.00.

Schedule

Full Time/Salaried/Exempt.