Naval architect

Naval architects are involved with the design, construction and maintenance of ships, boats, and other marine vessels and offshore structures. Most naval architects specialise in one area, for example, design, classification or research and development. They work on either civil or military vessels.

Also known as:

Boat designer/architect
Ship designer/architect
Yacht designer/architect

Work activities

Naval architects design ships and similar marine vessels and oversee their construction and maintenance. Many marine vessels and structures, such as cruise liners, warships and offshore platforms are very large and complex. Modern engineering on this scale is therefore very much a team activity, involving professional engineers from different fields and disciplines. However, naval architects have overall responsibility for the project. They also have a special role in making sure that the team produces a safe, economic and seaworthy design for a new marine vessel or structure.

Naval architects need an understanding of many branches of engineering, as well as being experts in all aspects of ship design, including function, appearance and safety. They keep up to date with advances in high technology areas, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and calculation. A ship must be stable and have enough strength to cope with all types of weather. It must also be as comfortable as possible for passengers and crew, however rough the sea is. The way a ship looks is an important consideration for architects working on passenger liners and yachts. In construction and repair, naval architects take responsibility for sections of the shipyard. They organise the supply, inspection and testing of materials and parts. They are also responsible for deciding how many employees a project will need. In technical departments, naval architects deal with costs and supply matters. They look into ways to get the parts and equipment they need for the project and manage budgets. Some naval architects work as ship surveyors. They work worldwide to make sure ships are safe. They examine plans of ships in their design stage, looking at their strength, stability and life-saving features.

During construction, ship surveyors carry out inspections to make sure the quality of the work and materials meet rules and regulations. Once a ship is in operation, surveyors continue to do routine inspections, making sure the ship’s owners have repaired any defects and are maintaining safety standards. Naval architects may also work as consultants, providing clients with engineering solutions, technical and commercial guidance, support and project management. There are research and development opportunities for naval architects. There are also opportunities for naval architects with above average qualifications to work in colleges and universities as professors and lecturers. Depending on the type of work, extensive travel, nationally and internationally, may be required.

Personal qualities and skills

As a naval architect, you need:

To be creative, with strong engineering design skills.
A logical approach to solving problems.
Good teamwork skills.
To communicate well with other engineering professionals.
To be able to give clear professional advice and technical support to customers of the maritime industry.
Strong leadership and managerial skills.
Good computer skills.
Good organisation skills to manage projects.
To be able to co-ordinate resources, and work within a budget and timescale.
To develop knowledge of legal issues and regulations, e.g. concerning safety.

Naval architects may manage repair teams that deal with emergency repairs as well as routine checks, so you’ll need to be resourceful, able to improvise and make decisions. Naval architects who work as ship surveyors need a great deal of patience and high levels of concentration to check ship plans for strength, stability and life-saving features.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for naval architects vary, depending on employer, role and responsibilities. The pay rates given are approximate. Starting salaries for newly graduated naval architects are in the range of £25,000, while at the upper end of the payscale you could earn as much as £65,000 a year.

Naval architects usually work a 39-41-hour week, with occasional weekend and evening work, according to the demands of the project.

Employers include shipbuilders, classification societies, government agencies, the offshore industry and firms of consultants. There are other opportunities in education, technical journalism, and sales and marketing. Most large employers are based in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Smaller firms building/repairing small craft are based around coastal areas of the UK, and in Norfolk (Norfolk Broads).

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of professional engineering bodies.

Entry routes and training

Naval architects usually complete a relevant accredited degree in a subject such as naval architecture. The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) provide lists of accredited courses. Students of other engineering disciplines who intend to work in the maritime industries may also be eligible for membership of the above bodies. If your degree is accredited by an institution other than RINA or IMarEST, you may be required to gain additional training and experience to make up for any gaps in your studies. Contact RINA and IMarEST to check whether your course is accepted for membership.

Depending on their level of entry, naval architects can gain Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) professional status. Both are highly regarded by employers throughout industry. For details see: engc.org.uk.

Depending on their qualification, naval architects can progress by taking on more responsibility for the management of larger projects.

An apprenticeship is in development but not yet available.

Qualifications

To enter a degree course in naval architecture, the usual requirement is:

Three A-levels, usually including maths and physics.
GCSEs in your A-level subjects at grades 9-4.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4.
English, maths and physics are usually required at grades 9-4.

Other qualifications, such as a relevant Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma are often accepted. Check prospectuses carefully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g. Access to Engineering) could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Information on pathways to registration as a Chartered (CEng) or Incorporated (IEng) Engineer can be found on the Engineering Council’s website.

Funding for postgraduate study may be available through universities from research councils, especially the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Related careers

Design engineer
Maritime engineer
Maritime engineering technician
Merchant navy engineer officer
Offshore engineer
Transport designer