Senior Naval Architect

As a Senior Naval Architect / Project Engineer, you will oversee the technical reliability, practicality, and regulatory compliance of large superyacht designs. In this position, you report to the Lead Engineer and collaborate closely with teams from Project Management, Engineering, and Production. You will also coordinate approvals and technical discussions with classification societies and flag administrations throughout the project lifecycle. The role requires a high level of technical responsibility, frequent on-site involvement, and a proactive approach to managing design challenges and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safeguard the technical quality, feasibility, and coherence of ship and superyacht design packages.
• Function as the main technical contact for naval architecture matters, including providing support on-site when required.
• Act as the primary liaison with external naval architecture firms, coordinating their activities, deliverables, and scope of work.
• Evaluate and coordinate naval architecture calculations and technical documentation created by external partners, ensuring they comply with shipyard standards, project specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain alignment and technical consistency between various outsourced naval architecture packages, while not carrying out detailed calculations internally.
• Interpret applicable flag state rules, international maritime regulations, and classification society requirements, converting them into practical and buildable engineering solutions.
• Manage communication and technical coordination with classification societies and flag authorities.
• Detect potential compliance or regulatory risks at an early stage and take responsibility for implementing corrective measures.

Provide support during inspections, certification processes, and regulatory approvals across all project phases.

• Work closely with internal departments, shipyard teams, and external stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration.
• Take responsibility for monitoring and controlling vessel weight throughout the design and construction process.
• Conduct inclining experiments to verify vessel stability characteristics.
• Deliver technical input for dock planning, launching procedures, and vessel transportation activities.
• Guide and support junior naval architects while working with other engineering disciplines to achieve well-integrated design solutions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Naval Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least seven years of professional experience within yacht construction or the shipbuilding industry.
• In-depth understanding of superyacht regulations for vessels over 80 meters, international maritime codes, and classification society standards; experience with the REG Yacht Code is considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated background working on large superyachts and/or commercial vessels.
• Practical experience coordinating directly with classification societies and flag administrations.

Good knowledge of yacht production methods and the operational realities of shipyard environments.

• Strong analytical skills, technical insight, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and assume clear responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Candidates currently based in the Netherlands are preferred.

Waar je gaat werken