Principal Maritime Structural Engineer

  • Thomas Search Ltd
  • Gosport, Hampshire
  • Mar 04, 2026
Full time Construction

Job Description

As a Principal Maritime Structural Engineer, you'll be responsible for delivering work streams whilst guiding a mixed discipline engineering team. Ultimately enabling the engineering delivery of a large multi-year high profile maritime project within the Maritime defence sector. Day-to-day, you will use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to model and assess the structural response of submarine propulsors under quasi-static and dynamic conditions. Responsibilities include developing and reviewing FEA models, technical reports, and design documentation, as well as approving work packages and drawings. Your responsibilities will include:
  • Delivery. Lead and coordinate engineering activities to deliver projects effectively. Apply technical expertise and sound judgement to solve problems, plan tasks, and manage delivery within scope, time, and budget
  • Resilience. Share expertise and mentor others to build capability across engineering teams
  • Internal Collaboration. Promote cross-functional collaboration and ensure compliance with relevant processes and standards
  • External Collaboration. Engage with partners and stakeholders to develop joint technical approaches and support business development. Represent the team in external forums and customer meetings
  • Safety. Ensure projects/programmes you are responsible for are conducted in a safe manner, highlighting hazards and potentially unsafe practices and providing potential options to reduce the risk so that it is as low as responsibly practicable
  • Governance. Ensure that Governance is applied consistently across the technical programmes where you are involved. Act as a peer or independent reviewer for other projects or programmes of work where suitable
Essential experience of the Principal Maritime Structural Engineer:
  • Significant previous experience of leading multidisciplinary project teams.
  • An excellent understanding in engineering
  • Substantial experience of structural design to recognised codes of practice either Maritime or Civil.
  • Experience of Finite Element Analysis of structures and systems
  • Proficient in FEA software (ideally Abaqus)
  • Proficient in CAD software
Essential qualifications for the Principal Maritime Structural Engineer:
  • BEng / MEng in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent industry experience
This role is 37 hours per week based at Haslar. Hybrid working patterns are available. The Haslar Marine Technology Park is state-of-the-art, including an ocean basin rotating arm, and marine towing tank, offering an unparalleled environment for testing and refining designs. Our client's marine technology offers their global customers a service to deliver constrained hydrodynamic model tests of surface ships, submarines, offshore structures, and renewable energy devices. Our Benefits
  • Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
  • Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
  • Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
  • Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
  • Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community
Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK ()