Principal Naval Architect

Job Description

The Principal Naval Architect provides senior naval architecture expertise supporting complex ship repair, refit, conversion, and drydocking projects at Victoria Shipyards. Working closely with the Engineering Manager and cross‑functional teams, this role delivers practical, production‑ready engineering solutions that support safe execution in the yard and meet customer, regulatory, and classification society requirements. Note: 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 senior naval architecture support across ship repair, refit, conversion, and drydocking projects.
• Review customer‑supplied technical information and develop engineering deliverables, including drawings, calculations, reports, repair specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, and test and trial documentation.
• Perform and review engineering calculations and analyses related to vessel stability, drydocking, structural loading, stress, and deflection.
• Develop and assess structural repair and modification solutions, including plating systems, load paths, alignment and continuity, beams, pillars, girders, and machinery or equipment foundations and seatings.
• Conduct vessel surveys, technical investigations, trim assessments, and inclining activities to support project planning and execution.
• Support drydocking operations by developing docking plan proposals, monitoring vessel stability and weight, and providing technical guidance during drydock and alongside activities.
• Review, integrate, and issue technical and construction packages that meet shipyard needs and comply with customer, regulatory, and classification society requirements.
• Prepare technical support information for execution, including bills of material, nesting and cut data, fabrication and erection details, temporary support requirements, and dimensional control documentation.
• Work closely with Production and Operations to develop practical repair and conversion strategies and resolve technical issues in the shops and onboard vessels.
• Act as the principal technical authority on assigned projects by coordinating technical work across internal teams and external partners, managing technical risk, reviewing progress, and ensuring required acceptance, close‑out, and as‑built documentation is completed.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline; a Master’s Degree (e.g., MEng, MEL, or MASc) is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in a naval architecture design office, shipyard, ship operations, or ship maintenance environment.
• Registered, or eligible for registration within six months, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC).
• Strong technical knowledge of naval architecture principles, including vessel stability, structural analysis, weight tracking, and drydocking support.
• Demonstrated experience applying regulatory and classification society requirements (e.g., LR, DNV, or equivalent) in ship design, repair, conversion, or maintenance projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and experience managing technical information and engineering documentation; working knowledge of tools such as SolidWorks or Rhino is an asset.
• Proven ability to solve complex technical problems and develop practical engineering solutions that support safe, compliant, and efficient project execution.
• Strong analytical capability, including the ability to gather, assess, and synthesize technical data to support sound engineering decisions.
• Effective communication, technical writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to produce clear technical specifications, procedures, work instructions, and reports, and to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Experience providing support within a shipyard production or operations environment, or within a design office supporting shipyard production and execution activities.
• Experience working as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary project team.
• Familiarity with FEA tools used for structural or mechanical analysis.
• Familiarity with vessel stability software such as GHS.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• This is a full‑time, permanent position with multiple operations and long‑term projects, providing job stability as we build ships for decades to come.
• The role offers a competitive salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience, along with an annual bonus and pension plan matching.
• Health and wellness benefits include extended health care (paramedical services for massage therapy, speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, a $500 personal spending account, and an Employee Family Assistance Program.

Salary

The estimated salary for this position is $143,100 – $174,900.

About Us

Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America’s most modern shipyards, unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life‑cycle maintenance work for Canada’s Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise ships and deep‑sea vessels. Operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.

Additional Information

This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program under the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act, and maintain it throughout employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.

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