Naval architect
A naval architect is a professional engineer who is responsible for the design, construction and repair of ships, boats and other seafaring vessels including:
They also work on the design and construction of marine installations such as off-shore drilling platforms.
Modern engineering on this scale demands a collaborative team effort with engineers from different fields and disciplines working closely together. The naval architect coordinates the team activities and carries ultimate responsibility for the project, ensuring that it is completed effectively, safely and economically.
Naval architects must have an understanding of many branches of engineering and must be at the forefront of high technology areas such as computer-aided design.
Naval architects have a broad range of employment opportunities, both in the UK and worldwide. Activities vary according to the post, but may include:
Operational areas of work within shipping companies include:
Naval architects who specialise in construction may take responsibility for the management of a whole shipyard or for sections of it, such as planning, production or the complex operation of fitting out.
Naval architects may also occasionally teach courses in higher education institutions.
Depending on the type of qualifications they hold and on their personal interests, naval architects may become specialists in one field or develop broad experience in several.
Although this area of work is open to those from engineering and marine science backgrounds, a degree that is specifically focused on naval architecture will increase your chances.
The main UK institutions currently offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in naval architecture are:
The education and training given to naval architects is designed to develop the skills needed to lead them to professional status, for which membership of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and registration with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) are required.
For chartered status, you will need one of the following:
For incorporated status, you will need one of the following:
Alternative routes are available for candidates who do not have the required academic qualification to achieve registration as CEng or IEng. Contact the RINA for more information on these routes.
See Careers in Naval Architecture for more details about naval architecture careers.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Competition fluctuates according to the current state of the maritime industry. Submit applications to employers early in your final year. When contacting sponsors or employers, check whether their training schemes have been accredited by RINA or whether they are prepared to support you in reaching the required standards.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
After graduation, you will usually spend around four years in the workplace, gaining experience and further training in design, engineering practice and management, before applying for chartered status to become a fully qualified naval architect. The length of training may vary depending on:
Some companies offer training programmes which have been accredited by The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and the RINA can also provide support in developing an individual training programme if a company programme is not available. When the company or individual training programme has been agreed, a senior engineer may be appointed to act as a mentor.
Naval architects should be prepared to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and to take advantage of new career opportunities as they arise. Continuing professional development (CPD) is therefore essential and can be achieved through courses and conferences organised by the RINA and other engineering professional institutions or organisations in areas such as:
Naval architects also keep up to date by reading technical journals and papers published by professional institutions.
A naval architect usually starts in a graduate position, gaining experience in the workplace to achieve chartered status and become fully qualified. Once qualified, he or she may begin to specialise within a technical area or work in project management within the industry.
Senior naval architects tend to develop specific technical skills or strong project management experience, which can be used to further increase their management responsibility or develop a career in consultancy. Eventually they may move into senior executive positions.
Career development opportunities may lie within the maritime field or another sector, as many of the skills gained in this industry are transferable and valued elsewhere.
A naval architect's career choices increase in proportion to experience, which can include experience of specialist areas. They are also dependent on the type of qualifications held.
Employers of naval architects include:
Vacancies are often advertised through recruitment agencies, especially those specialising in maritime industries, such as:
Go to the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) or Ship Technology for a list of companies and other organisations active in the field.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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