Principal Engineer, Naval Architecture Full Time

Victoria Shipyards is looking for talented professionals as part of our technical department’s sustainable growth strategy, creating exceptional long-term opportunities for skilled engineers and technologists who join our team. These roles are particularly well suited for experienced individuals who want to balance practical design with hands-on activities and look for an opportunity to settle roots on Vancouver Island.

The Principal Engineer (Naval Architecture) performs a broad range of discipline-specific assignments on major ship repair and conversion projects. Collaborating with the Engineering Manager, this role participates in all dry docking and refit projects at Victoria Shipyards; it carries out work thoroughly, safely, and efficiently across the navy and commercial programs.

This role reviews customer-supplied information and develops technical packages to satisfy customer needs while meeting applicable regulatory and classification society requirements. These packages include conceptual designs, 3D models, layout proposals, docking plans, structural arrangements, shop drawings, engineering calculations, technical reports, and support documentation. This role also resolves technical-related production problems encountered in the fabrication shops and onboard vessels.

This role acts as the shipyard’s technical authority on assigned projects; it works closely with other departments, such as Operations, Production, Estimating, Supply Chain, Health, Safety, Environmental, and QA, to develop technical solutions and resolve issues while maintaining costs and schedule objectives. Typical support activities include technical reviews, requirements decomposition, design preparations, support analysis, project and procurement planning, material selection, risk assessments, engineering execution, and close-out tasks.

Note: Due to business needs, this position is required to be fully on-site based at Victoria Shipyards located at 825 Admirals Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 2P1

What You’ll Do:

• Provide naval architecture support across programs (all projects)
• Perform engineering calculations such as ship stability, block loading, stresses, and deflection.
• Perform analysis and design of structural components, load sharing, plating systems, alignment and continuity, beams pillars, girders, and machinery/ equipment foundations and seatings.
• Conduct surveys, trim and inclining tests, and technical investigations.
• Maintain vessel stability and weight monitoring in drydock and alongside.
• Develop docking plan proposals and provide ongoing support to the dockmaster.
• Collect and process technical information for ship repair, conversion, and construction projects.
• Prepare engineering documents, such as drawings, calculations, and reports.
• Review, integrate, and issue design and detail construction packages to satisfy shipyard needs and meet customer, class society, and regulatory requirements.
• Review work scope with production managers to develop repair and conversion strategies.
• Develop repair specifications, work instructions, tests and trials, and inspection plans.
• Review and perform material selection, including alternatives from available options.
• Collaborate with other departments to resolve production and operation issues in a technically acceptable manner and maintain cost and schedule objectives.
• Prepare support information for other departments (e.g. BOMs, plate nesting, and cut lists).
• Prepare and manage shop/ construction drawings packages, including lofting, cutting and forming, fabrication and erection, temporary support and bracing, and dimensional control.
• Actively participate in lessons learned throughout the project
• Prepare mark-up and ‘as built’ record packages.
• Act as the technical authority on assigned ship repair and conversion projects.
  • Meet the technical and performance requirements specified by the customer.
  • Plan, oversee and execute technical scope within the schedule and cost constraints.
  • Provide input, advice and coordination of technical matters, including sub-contracting, production planning, scheduling, and quality assurance activities.
  • Coordinate effectively with the engineering manager, project manager, technical team, external engineering consultants, and specialized service providers.
  • Verify that technical activities are being completed satisfactorily and perform regular progress reviews with the engineering manager throughout the project.
  • Ensure that all acceptance documentation, such as inspections and tests & trials, are prepared and delivered per the contract.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-secondary experience working in a naval architecture design office, shipyard, ship operations, or ship maintenance facility is required.
• Experience working with AutoCAD and controlling technical information is required.
• Experience working with Classification Society rules (e.g. LR or DNV GL) is required.
• Experience working in an operation or production support role.
• Experience working with a diversely integrated project team.
• Relevant technical knowledge and design skills for the role, including fundamental engineering principles and knowledge of international, state and classification society regulations relating to ship design and associated machinery installation
• Demonstrated ability to perform basic structural design, weight tracking, and stability analysis
• Proven ability to work independently to develop solutions to complex technical problems.
• Excellent analytical skills to collect and analyze/synthesize data, confirming its accuracy and adequacy as an essential part of the collective analysis/synthesis process.
• PC proficiency required (working knowledge of MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint).
• A thorough understanding of CAD software, such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Rhino.
• Working knowledge of FEA on structural and mechanical applications would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of vessel stability software, such as GHS, would be an asset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (speaking and listening).
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills, including the ability to produce and communicate clear, precise, detailed written technical specifications, procedures, work instructions, and reports.

Why you’ll love working here

• This is a full-time, permanent position. With multiple operations and long-term projects, Seaspan employees enjoy job stability as we look ahead to build ships for decades to come.
• In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan matching, this role provides you a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience.
• We also provide a best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including such things as full health care (e.g. unlimited physiotherapy), dental, vision, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, childcare benefit partnership, wellness/fitness reimbursement for memberships or registration fees, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

Language Requirements: English

The estimated salary for this position is $117,000 – $143,000. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate’s skillset and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

NOC: 20010

For more information, please contact [email protected]

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This position is eligible for Canadians of all ages