Naval Architect

Naval architects are professional engineers responsible for designing, building and repairing ships, boats and offshore structures like drilling platforms. They could work for a merchant company designing oil tankers or passenger ferries, or for the Royal Navy on warships and submarines. Other types of craft they could be involved in designing include high-speed craft such as hovercraft and hydrofoils, work boats such as fishing vessels, tugs, lifeboats and pilot vessels, or yachts, power boats and leisure boats.

Some of the craft they work on are very large and complex, and all craft have to be safe and seaworthy. Engineering on this scale involves whole teams of people.

Experienced mechanical engineers usually achieve either incorporated or chartered status. Broadly speaking, incorporated engineers specialise in applying modern technology, while chartered engineers focus more on research and development or manufacture and installation.

Entry level
A degree in an engineering subject is usually essential, and recommended courses include naval architecture, marine technology or other disciplines of engineering closely related to naval architecture, such as mechanical, computer-aided or aeronautical engineering.

Entry to these courses is with at least two A levels/three H grades, including maths and physics, or equivalent qualifications, and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). An alternative route could be to train in marine engineering with the Royal or Merchant Navy.

Making the grade
A fully qualified naval architect is a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), registered with the Engineering Council UK as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng). You can also become a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST), which is also registered with the ECUK.

To gain chartered status, you would need a masters degree (MEng) recognised by the RINA or IMarEST. For status as an Incorporated Engineer, a BEng degree is needed.

Once you are in post, training is usually carried out on the job. New recruits are usually given an individual training programme to meet their particular needs, and a senior engineer is often appointed to act as their mentor. You must undertake a sufficient period of training and have enough experience to gain professional recognition.

Experienced and qualified naval architects may move from technical to general management, and on to a senior post or directorship. There are many opportunities in other branches of engineering or in consultancy, and naval architects can also become self-employed, working as design consultants or in small craft or yacht-building.

Membership of the RINA or IMarEST gives you access to continuing professional development.

Personal qualities
As a naval architect, you would need a creative, practical, enquiring and logical mind, excellent communication skills in speech and writing, mature judgement and evidence of leadership ability. Enthusiasm for sailing, windsurfing or other maritime pursuits could be extremely helpful. You must have a broad understanding of many different branches of engineering together with advanced skills in computer-aided design.

Looking ahead
Competition for jobs is fierce. With the decline in shipbuilding in the UK over the past 20 years, there are fewer shipyards (only four large commercial shipyards are currently in operation), and so fewer openings for naval architects working specifically on new vessels. However, the remaining shipyards are now busy in building specialist vessels, particularly for the offshore industry and the Royal Navy.

There are also opportunities in the design and construction of small craft and yachts.
Some naval architects work as ship surveyors for the classification companies or the Maritime Coastguard Agency, assessing the safety of marine structures and ships.

Many naval architects work abroad as more large-scale projects are undertaken outside Europe. Some equipment manufacturers employ, or have contracts with, naval architects who design specific parts of vessels, such as control or propulsion systems.

The Ministry of Defence recruits graduate engineers for roles such as managing the buying of equipment for submarines and ships.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include aerospace engineer, electrical/electronics engineer, marine engineer, mechanical engineer, merchant navy engineering officer or Royal Navy officer.

Take-home pay
Starting salaries for graduates range from around £18,000 to £22,000 a year. Experienced naval architects can earn from around £30,000 to £45,000 a year. Architects with many years' experience working for large organisations can earn £50,000 or more.

Effects
Naval architects tend to work normal office hours, but may need to work additional hours to meet deadlines. You might need to travel to shipyards or docks and this could involve spending some time away from home, possibly overseas.

Shipyards and docks can be noisy and dirty, and work on board a craft might involve time in the engine room or other areas where there may be fumes, heat and noise. It could be necessary to work outside during bad weather and rough seas.

Sources of information
Royal Institution of Naval Architects: www.rina.org.uk
Engineering Careers Information: www.enginuity.org.uk
Engineering Council UK: www.engc.org.uk
Institute of Incorporated Engineers: www.iie.org.uk
Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology: www.imarest.org.uk
Maritime and Coastguard Agency: www.mcga.gov.uk
Merchant Navy Training Board: www.mntb.org.uk
Ministry of Defence: www.mod.uk/careers
Royal Navy recruitment: www.rnjobs.co.uk

CRCI: GG