Department
Engineering
Type
Full-Time
Location
Bay Area / Remote
We are hiring a Mid to Senior Level Naval Architect to take complete ownership over our vessels' naval architecture — including clean-sheet hull hydrodynamics, structural design, stability, and weight management — for our next 15ft and 35ft prototypes. This role begins ASAP and is structured around a critical, high-stakes build sprint. You will report directly to our CTO (former NASA Chief Engineer).
Responsibilities
- End-to-End Ownership: Design, fabricate, and fully own the hull form, structural layout, and overall naval architecture for our 15-ft and 35-ft prototype vessels.
- Hydrodynamics & Stability: Perform resistance/powering calculations, intact/damage stability analysis, and seakeeping assessments for high-speed, autonomous operations in rough maritime environments.
- Rapid CAD-to-Reality: Use Rhino, Maxsurf, and/or SolidWorks for detailed manufacturing designs, structural engineering, and relentlessly iterate based on physical ocean testing.
- Fabrication Oversight: Oversee rapid prototype manufacturing, including FRP composite layups and marine-grade metalwork (aluminum).
- Field Deployment / Sea Trials: Integrate mechanical/autonomous subsystems with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot on the fly, and operate as a core maritime crew member during rugged ocean deployments and sea trials.
Requirements
- Clearance / Citizenship: Due to defense contract requirements and ITAR compliance, you must be a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).
- BS in Naval Architecture, Ocean Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience, with 3+ years designing high-performance marine vessels, USVs, or specialized watercraft.
- Uncompromising proficiency in naval architecture software (Rhino, Maxsurf, NAPA, etc.) and SolidWorks. Strong practical intuition for marine structural analysis, DFM, and weight control, especially for FRP structures.
- Strong practical knowledge of rapid prototype assembly and structural systems. R&D experience with FRP composites, marine aluminum fabrication, or high-speed craft is a massive plus.
- Proven ability to manage multiple rapid deadlines independently and own early-stage marine hardware from sketch to functional deployment.
Nice to Have
- 3+ years work experience in ship/boat design.
- Direct experience designing high-speed planing hulls or autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs/USVs).
- Experience building early-stage marine hardware prototypes.
- Ownership of projects from clean-sheet start to finish.
- Deep knowledge of marine structural systems, with an emphasis on FRP composites and alloys.
- Operational experience working with deployed vessels, conducting sea trials, or maritime operations.
- Familiarity with maritime regulations (USCG, ABS) and applying them to novel/uncrewed vessels.
Ready to build what matters?
Fill out our application form to apply for our open roles at Bulwark Dynamics.