Senior Navigation Specialist

Department: Technical Capability · Location: Houston, Texas (remote eligible) · Employment Type: Permanent, Full‑Time

About the role

BMT is dedicated to tackling the most crucial engineering challenges of our era, fostering an environment where individuals with exceptional technical expertise provide meaningful, practical solutions. Committed to creating a safer, more efficient, effective, and sustainable future, BMT values diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving our business purpose. Learn more at www.bmt.org.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise and technical advice in support of navigation and ship handling simulations, including scenario development, execution, and analysis.
• Support client activities by translating real‑world maritime operations into credible simulation inputs, behaviours, and constraints.
• Perform duties as a qualified Bridge Watchkeeper, ensuring simulation outputs reflect current operational best practices and regulatory compliance (e.g., COLREGs, STCW).
• Apply advanced ship handling knowledge to validate and inform simulation scenarios across a range of operating conditions (open ocean, coastal, confined waters, port approaches).
• Operate and provide expert guidance on Electronic Navigation Systems within simulation and real‑world contexts, including: ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, GPS and integrated bridge systems, AIS, and voyage planning tools.
• Support the development and conduct of simulations, trials, and studies, including post‑simulation analysis and reporting.
• Contribute operational expertise to engineering studies, concept development, and capability assessments where navigation and maneuvering are key factors.
• Provide insight into human factors and bridge team behaviours as they relate to simulated operations.
• Train, mentor, and support team members in understanding practical navigation considerations within simulation environments.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through ongoing certification, training, and awareness of evolving navigation technologies and simulation practices.
• Conduct reviews and provide assurance that simulation outputs and navigation‑related deliverables meet client expectations and operational realism.
• Contribute to internal innovation and business development activities where simulation and operational navigation expertise is required.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years practical experience in ship handling, maritime navigation and/or pilotage of large seagoing vessels (e.g., cruise ships, tankers, naval platforms).
• Valid Bridge Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency (STCW compliant).
• Extensive experience with Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, AIS, GPS, integrated bridge systems), including their representation and use in simulated environments.
• Ability to translate real‑world operational practices into credible simulation inputs, constraints, and performance measures.
• Understanding of bridge team dynamics within simulated and real‑world operations.
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting simulation results and providing actionable insights to clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in explaining complex operational behaviours within technical studies.
• Strong leadership, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Eligible for US security clearance.
• Willingness to travel to other BMT offices or client sites (domestic and international).

Qualifications

• Experience with bridge simulators (full mission or part‑task trainers) or maritime modelling/simulation tools.
• Experience in complex ship towing operations.
• Familiarity with how vessel design characteristics influence maneuvering performance and simulation fidelity.
• Experience contributing to marine assurance, safety cases, or operational risk assessments.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long‑term and short‑term disability
• Health care flexible spending account
• Dependent care reimbursement plan
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Nine holidays plus one floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities