Junior Naval Architect

Junior Naval Architect | Defence Maritime Programme

SR2 is partnering with an exciting defence client supporting future maritime capability development and is looking for a Junior Naval Architect to join a specialist team delivering high speed craft and uncrewed surface vessel (USV) design studies.

This role will support concept development, digital modelling, vessel sizing, interoperability studies, and capability assessments for future Royal Navy and Royal Marines maritime programmes.

Contract Details

• Defence Maritime Programme
• £400-£500 per day inside IR35
• Bristol (minimum 2 days per week onsite)
• 9 months initially - likely to extend
• SC clearance required

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing 3D digital models of high-speed craft using Rhino3D
• Supporting concept design studies for crewed and uncrewed maritime platforms
• Conducting vessel sizing, weight estimation, and installed power assessments
• Supporting interoperability studies across fleet and NATO maritime assets
• Producing arrangements and concept layouts for future SurfM platforms
• Supporting studies into future Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) capability
• Contributing to Task Definition Documents (TDDs), technical reports, and engineering recommendations
• Researching and leveraging previous defence maritime studies and programme outputs
• Working closely with naval architects, engineers, and defence stakeholders

Essential Experience

• Degree-qualified Naval Architect or Mechanical Engineer
• Minimum 1 year experience in high-speed craft design and development
• Experience developing specifications and requirements for marine vehicles
• Technical experience supporting high-speed craft projects
• Experience with 3D arrangement CAD modelling
• Competent user of Rhino3D
• Experience supporting small boat sizing studies

Desirable Experience

• High-speed craft sizing studies
• Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs)
• Stability modelling
• Weight and power estimation
• Landing craft design studies
• Littoral operations and amphibious capability
• Pre-concept engineering design studies
• Warship design and integration
• UK maritime defence sector knowledge
• Technical report writing within complex engineering environments

Why Apply?

• Work on future Royal Navy and Royal Marines capability programmes
• Exposure to cutting-edge high-speed craft and autonomous vessel concepts
• Opportunity to support Hybrid Navy and future maritime capability development
• Collaborative engineering environment with specialist defence teams
• Long term programme activity supporting FY26/27 delivery

SR2 is supporting the client on this specialist maritime engineering requirement and would welcome conversations with Junior Naval Architects who have experience in high speed craft, small vessel design, Rhino3D modelling, and maritime concept studies.