Principal Naval Architect / Marine Engineer

Serve as a senior technical authority providing advanced naval architecture and marine engineering leadership for Allen Marine’s vessels, shipyard operations, and marine infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, technical review, and approval of vessel designs, modifications, repairs, conversions, and structural improvements.
• Prepare, review, approve, and seal engineering drawings, plans, specifications, calculations, and technical documentation as legally authorized when required.
• Perform or coordinate naval architectural analysis including stability, weight, hydrostatics, buoyancy, trim, structural modifications, and machinery arrangements.
• Evaluate vessel modifications for structural integrity, stability, operational suitability, maintainability, and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct field inspections and measurements aboard vessels; incorporate existing conditions into engineering designs.
• Support vessel construction, repair, refit, conversion, and maintenance projects across the project lifecycle.
• Deliver senior-level engineering judgment and practical solutions to complex issues identified by vessel crews, mechanics, welders, shipyard personnel, Project Managers, and leadership.
• Lead technical review of contractor, consultant, and vendor drawings, calculations, specifications, equipment selections, and technical submittals.
• Provide engineering and design support for docks, ramps, gangways, platforms, and other marine infrastructure.
• Design or modify structural components associated with docks, ramps, and shore-side facilities.
• Evaluate existing structures and develop repair, modification, or replacement solutions.
• Develop plans and specifications for shop-fabricated and field-installed structures.
• Perform field measurements and inspections for facilities and marine infrastructure projects.
• Assist with engineering requirements, permitting, and coordination with contractors, surveyors, architects, structural/civil engineers, and regulatory agencies.
• Translate operational and business needs into technically sound, practical, and cost-conscious engineering solutions; provide technical direction on complex or high-risk projects.
• Assist Project Managers with technical scopes, estimates, material requirements, schedules, and project planning.
• Provide engineering support during construction; resolve field conditions or design conflicts.
• Inspect completed work and verify conformity with drawings, specifications, and engineering requirements.
• Assist with commissioning, testing, inspections, and acceptance of completed projects.
• Maintain accurate engineering drawings, calculations, revisions, and technical records.
• Lead root-cause investigations of significant engineering problems and develop corrective actions, risk-reduction measures, and long-term solutions.
• Communicate complex technical requirements and engineering recommendations to Project Managers, foremen, trades personnel, contractors, regulators, and senior management.
• Provide senior technical oversight to ensure engineering work considers applicable U.S. Coast Guard requirements, classification standards, building codes, ASTM standards, and other relevant regulations and engineering practices.
• Assist with documentation required for regulatory inspections and approvals.
• Coordinate as a senior engineering representative with the U.S. Coast Guard, classification societies, permitting authorities, and other regulatory agencies when technical support is required.
• Identify regulatory, permitting, certification, and engineering approval requirements early in project planning and advise leadership and Project Managers on technical risk and compliance strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in good standing is required.
• Ability and willingness to obtain engineering licensure by comity in Alaska and other jurisdictions as required by project needs.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience in naval architecture, marine engineering, structural engineering, marine construction, or a closely related field, including demonstrated responsibility for complex engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of vessel structures, marine systems, stability, and marine construction.
• Ability to read and produce engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD, Rhino, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to conduct field measurements and inspections and translate field conditions into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with Project Managers, shipyard personnel, vessel crews, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Technologies

• AutoCAD
• Rhino
• SolidWorks

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with commercial, passenger, or workboat vessels.
• Experience with aluminum and/or steel vessel construction.
• Experience with vessel stability calculations and U.S. Coast Guard regulatory requirements.
• Experience with structural analysis, FEA, or marine structural design.
• Experience designing docks, ramps, gangways, platforms, or other marine infrastructure.
• Experience working in a shipyard, vessel operating environment, or marine construction.
• Experience with Rhino Marine, Orca3D, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar engineering software.
• Experience working effectively in a remote environment while supporting geographically dispersed operational and project teams.
• Experience establishing engineering standards, design criteria, technical review processes, and documentation practices.
• Experience mentoring engineers, designers, technical staff, or project teams without requiring direct supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience serving as engineer of record, technical lead, or principal engineer on complex marine or vessel projects.

Performance Expectations

• Senior-level engineering judgment producing accurate, practical, defensible, and timely engineering solutions.
• Reduce engineering-related risk, rework, project delays, and recurring technical issues through early technical leadership and review.
• Produce high-quality engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, design criteria, and technical reviews suitable for construction, regulatory review, and long-term recordkeeping.
• Provide high-quality technical support for vessels, shipyard, facility, and marine infrastructure projects.
• Identify and resolve engineering issues early.
• Maintain accurate and current engineering documentation.
• Balance safety, compliance, cost, schedule, maintainability, and operational requirements in engineering solutions.

Traits and Characteristics

• Deliver world-class experiences guided by Alaska Native cultural values, safely and sustainably.
• Embrace Traditional Alaska Native cultural values including humility and pride, respect for all people (including oneself), respect for nature, humor, patience, strength, and holding each other up.

Core Values

• Safety First
• World-Class Employment
• World-Class Guest Services
• Collaborative Professionalism
• Community Collaboration
• Sustainability at our core
• Curiosity & Innovation
• Integrity-Driven Decisions
• Cultural Respect & Sharing

Environmental Conditions

• Work is primarily performed remotely, with periodic work aboard vessels and at shipyards, docks, facilities, and other marine/industrial locations.
• Travel may involve exposure to machinery, welding and fabrication operations, heavy equipment, noise, weather, and other industrial conditions.

Physical Demands

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing (or other communication capabilities) to communicate well with employees and the public.
• Sufficient vision (or other powers of observation) to use a computer screen and process numeric data.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and access files.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to move about in an office environment.
• Ability to walk on uneven deck surfaces and cross from vessel to vessel.
• Ability to work aboard vessels and marine structures, climb ladders, access confined or difficult-to-reach areas, and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment, maintain reliable communication and connectivity, manage priorities across multiple projects, and remain responsive across Alaska time zones and project schedules.

Work Environment

• Periodic travel is required to Allen Marine facilities, vessels, shipyards, and operating locations, primarily in Southeast Alaska, with additional travel as project needs require.
• Frequent remote and in-person interaction with Project Managers, shipyard personnel, vessel crews, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership.
• Remote, fast-paced, and dynamic work environment supporting geographically dispersed teams and active marine operations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays during the tour season.
• Must adhere to Allen Marine, Inc., & Affiliated Companies, and the United States Coast Guard Consortium Drug & Alcohol Policies & Procedures.