Design Manager – Naval Ship Design

@ NAVANTIA UK

Company Overview

Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish strengthened Britain’s defence, maritime, and energy industrial capabilities.

Design Manager – Naval Ship Design

Shaping the Future of Naval Innovation, this role is based in Bristol. The Design Manager leads ship design projects, ensuring innovative, efficient, and compliant naval vessels. The role involves overseeing complex projects from concept through definition design, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining high standards in safety, regulatory, and environmental compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage ship design teams on allocated projects.
• Develop innovative ship designs using new technologies.
• Ensure integration of hydrodynamics, structural integrity, and systems.
• Coordinate with project management to meet technical milestones and budgets.
• Adopt advanced methodologies like PLM, digital modelling, and simulation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and systems engineering teams for design feasibility.
• Implement design-to-cost strategies and manage technical risks.
• Mentor engineering staff and contribute to the innovation strategy.
• Ensure adherence to quality management systems and design review procedures.

Qualifications

A degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline; proven experience leading complex naval ship design projects; expertise in ship design principles; proficiency with CAD, digital design, and simulation tools; and strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. Chartered or professionally recognised status is desirable.

Equal Opportunity

Navantia UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace with a fair recruitment process at every stage. Candidates with disabilities, and all protected groups, are welcomed and supported.

Key skills/competency

Design Manager – Naval Ship Design, ship design, naval architecture, digital design, CAD, simulation, PLM, compliance, innovation, stakeholder engagement, leadership.