Naval Architect
Nature of the Work
As a Naval Architect, you will be involved in the design and construction of sea-going vessels, including ships, yachts and submarines. You will be a professional engineer specializing in the areas of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, structural engineering and structural arrangements. You may also design and build offshore platforms and marine structures used in the offshore oil and gas industry.

You will be required to:
• Plan and prepare designs
• Work with complex computer and 3D models
• Ensure that the design complies with international safety standards
• Coordinate the shipbuilding and offshore engineering projects
• Advise on operation, maintenance and repair

Typical employers include:
• Offshore and marine engineering companies that design ships and structures used in the marine environment
• Marine equipment suppliers
• Firms in the defence industry that design and build warships, submarines or related craft

Working Conditions
Working hours are usually normal office hours. You may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines.

Qualification, Training and Advancement
Required:
• A degree in Naval Architecture
• Engineering subjects, mathematics and physics are core requirements.

Possible advancements or lateral movements include:
• Moving up the technical ranks to technical management
• Becoming specialists in one field or develop broad experience in several
• Taking up senior management posts in areas within or outside the maritime field given their broad and diverse knowledge accumulated throughout their career

Personal characteristics & Core competencies
You should possess the following key traits:
• Analytical
• Good planning and project management skills
• Good leadership skills to coordinate and manage large scale and complex projects

Job availability
Naval architects are in demand due to increase in shipping trade activities globally, especially in the specialist field of shipbuilding.

Earnings
Starting pay ranges from about $2,400 to $2,900, with competitive bonuses depending on performance.