Naval Architect

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Design, fabricate, and fully own the hull form, structural layout, and overall naval architecture for our 15-ft and 35-ft prototype vessels.
• Hydrodynamics & Stability: Perform resistance/powering calculations, intact/damage stability analysis, and seakeeping assessments for high-speed, autonomous operations in rough maritime environments.
• Rapid CAD-to-Reality: Use Rhino, Maxsurf, and/or SolidWorks for detailed manufacturing designs, structural engineering, and relentlessly iterate based on physical ocean testing.
• Fabrication Oversight: Oversee rapid prototype manufacturing, including FRP composite layups and marine-grade metalwork (aluminum).
• Field Deployment / Sea Trials: Integrate mechanical/autonomous subsystems with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot on the fly, and operate as a core maritime crew member during rugged ocean deployments and sea trials.

Requirements

• Clearance / Citizenship: Due to defense contract requirements and ITAR compliance, you must be a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).
• BS in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience, with 3+ years designing high-performance marine vessels, USVs, or specialized watercraft.
• Uncompromising proficiency in naval architecture software (Rhino, Maxsurf, NAPA, etc.) and SolidWorks. Strong practical intuition for marine structural analysis, DFM, and weight control, especially for FRP structures.
• Strong practical knowledge of rapid prototype assembly and structural systems. R&D experience with FRP composites, marine aluminum fabrication, or high-speed craft is a massive plus.
• Proven ability to manage multiple rapid deadlines independently and own early-stage marine hardware from sketch to functional deployment.
• Nice to Have:
• 3+ years work experience in ship/boat design.
• Direct experience designing high-speed planing hulls or autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs/USVs).
• Experience building early-stage marine hardware prototypes.
• Ownership of projects from clean-sheet start to finish.
• Deep knowledge of marine structural systems, with an emphasis on FRP composites and alloys.
• Operational experience working with deployed vessels, conducting sea trials, or maritime operations.
• Familiarity with maritime regulations (USCG, ABS) and applying them to novel/uncrewed vessels.