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Naval architects work as part of a team responsible for designing, producing and repairing safe, sea-worthy surface or underwater vessels.

Naval architects can work with a range of vessels including ships, ferries, submarines and yachts.

Responsibilities of the job typically include:

• assessing project requirements and researching feasibility

• planning and supervising the construction of vessels

• negotiating and agreeing project budgets, timescales and specifications with clients

• producing detailed designs of ships, boats and other maritime vessels using drawings and specialist computer software

• developing and utilising test procedures including computer modelling and scale models

• interpreting and analysing data and test results

• sourcing and purchasing components, equipment and materials

• ensuring adherence to appropriate health and safety legislation/standards

• identifying the need for, and supervising, vessel repairs

• writing reports and documentation

• giving presentations

• undertaking relevant research

• supervising junior staff

• providing technical advice

• answering queries from clients.

Qualifications and training required

To become a naval architect, you will need a degree in a relevant subject such as naval architecture, marine or mechanical engineering, engineering design or civil or structural engineering.

Key skills for naval architects

• Creativity

• Effective technical skills

• IT skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Leadership and interpersonal skills

• Communication skills

• Commercial awareness

• Teamworking skills

• Spatial awareness

• A meticulous attention to detail.

Typical employers of naval architects

• Government departments (particularly the Ministry of Defence)

• Boat and ship builders/repairers

• Companies that construct and repair smaller craft

• Design consultants

• Offshore constructors

• Ship survey/regulatory societies

• Companies that maintain/repair naval submarines and ships

• Universities