Principal Submarine Naval Architect

Position Summary

As the Principal Naval Architect, you will be part of the dynamic team supporting the VIRGINIA Class Submarine Program Office (PMS450) and the U.S. Navy’s Team Submarine Program Offices at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC. Your role will provide technical and programmatic support to the acquisition, design, construction, and fleet introduction of the Navy’s newest class of nuclear attack submarines.

In This Role, You Will

• Be responsible for the design, development, and optimization of submarines, including initial design, layout, and modification of existing vessels.
• Oversee construction, maintenance, inspection, and repair to ensure continued safety and performance.
• Manage weights, hydrostatics, stability, equilibrium, tank capacities, mass moments of inertia, and related naval architecture documents.
• Conduct feasibility, delivery, conversion, and overhaul design phases, verifying requirements and acceptable risk levels.
• Coordinate with shipyards, Electric Boat, and other stakeholders on weight reports, stability analysis, ballasting, and hydrostatic calculations.
• Review propounding reports such as inclining experiments, trim dives, reballast proposals, and other technical data packages.
• Support NAVSEA 05P3 as the Naval Architecture – System Integration Team (SIT) Team, interacting with naval shipyards and de‑facto contractors.
• Participate in NAVSEA weight control efforts and use ASSET/MONOLAS ship synthesis design program extensively.
• Respond to engineering reports, work deferral requests, departures from specification, and liaison action requests.
• Assist planning and implementation of programmatic documentation, including specifications, interface controls, and design decisions.
• Deliver formal presentations to program managers and senior officials on complex engineering issues.
• Analyze mechanical designs, support project engineers, and resolve system and component related questions from naval shipyards.
• Manage and lead cross‑discipline engineering teams, interfacing with subject matter experts and stakeholders.
• Evaluate technical proposals and conduct cost/benefit analysis, obsolescence studies, and design alteration support.
• Support testing, evaluation, and fleet introduction activities, including SMITE test missions and first‑of‑class trials.
• Oversee supplier technical management in partnership with the supply chain.
• Apply enterprise change management processes to maintain and update technical documentation.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Have

• An Active DoD Secret clearance.
• A bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in the marine industry.
• Leadership experience in naval architecture with a strong background in hull design, stability, weight, performance, and seakeeping.
• Expertise in 2‑D/3‑D CAD (AutoCAD) and advanced skills in specialist software such as Maxsurf.
• Experience with project management and supervising engineering teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual thinking abilities.
• The ability to work independently and with minimal supervision in time‑sensitive environments.
• Capability to act as technical owner for complex components and assemblies, engaging stakeholders and managing roadmaps.
• Experience with submarine R&D, T&E, and systems acquisition programs for Navy shipbuilding.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to analyze mechanical designs.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

Additional Desired Experience And Skills

• Experience with relevant codes, Classification Society rules, and vessel construction.
• Technical knowledge of SUBSAFE program.
• U.S. Navy experience in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
• Knowledge of Matlab, Simulink, and related modeling tools.
• Experience supporting a submarine acquisition program and overseeing audits.
• Understanding of DoD policies, NAVSEA, and Team Submarine procedures.
• Active NNPI account and CAC preferred.
• Prior experience leading projects and interfacing with customers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Flexible work arrangements where permitted.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Serco is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. This position is subject to requirement of an active DoD Secret clearance.