We are hiring: Experienced Naval Architect

— 18 Dec 2025

Experienced Naval Architect

Humphreys Yacht Design – Hampshire, UK

Humphreys Yacht Design is an independent, internationally recognised yacht design and naval architecture studio, combining deep technical expertise with a strong creative design capability. We work across all disciplines of yacht design and naval architecture — from initial concept development through detailed design, build support, class and yard liaison, and project oversight to final delivery.

Our projects span sailing and motor yachts, superyachts, wind-assist and specialist commercial vessels, with a strong focus on innovation, performance, and technically advanced design.

We are a compact, highly specialised team seeking an experienced Naval Architect to contribute across multiple disciplines and play a key role in the development of cutting-edge, high-performance vessels.

Role Overview

You will be involved across the full spectrum of yacht design and naval architecture activities, contributing from early-stage 2D and 3D design development through detailed design and engineering, regulatory compliance, and build support.

The role requires broad technical and creative capability, hands-on experience, and the ability to work effectively within a small, highly skilled team. The position is primarily office-based in Hampshire, with some scope for flexible working by arrangement and occasional travel to shipyards, trials, and industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to hull form development, including resistance and powering studies, seakeeping analysis, performance prediction, and design optimisation.
Contribute to early-stage concept studies, feasibility assessments, and design trade-off analysis.
Contribute to exterior design development and styling, and General Arrangement development.
Intact and damage stability assessments; preparation of stability documentation and information booklets.
Support, attendance, and processing of inclining experiments and lightship surveys.
Weight and centre-of-gravity estimation and budgeting during the design phase, together with oversight, review, and monitoring of shipyard-provided weight calculations and weight measurements throughout the build process.
Scantling and structural arrangement development, and structural analysis activities where required.
Production and coordination of high-quality 2D drawings, technical documentation, and regulatory submissions.
Compliance with Class, Flag, SOLAS, MARPOL, and other statutory requirements.
Liaison with clients, shipyards, suppliers, and classification societies; representation of the design office at technical meetings, site visits, sea trials, and industry events.
Technical guidance and support to less-experienced team members, contributing to internal QA and standards.

Qualifications & Experience

BEng degree in Naval Architecture or a closely related discipline (Master’s degree or equivalent experience advantageous).
Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in yacht or commercial vessel design (superyacht experience advantageous).
Strong hands-on experience with Maxsurf, Rhino, and AutoCAD; familiarity with CFD, FEM, VPP, and performance prediction tools beneficial.

Solid understanding of Class and Flag frameworks, with experience supporting projects through regulatory approval.

Good technical knowledge of yacht systems and build technologies (wood, steel, aluminium, composite).
Experience in the design and assessment of yacht/vessel structures in accordance with recognised classification society rules (familiarity with scantling design software beneficial).
Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and time management.
Ability to work autonomously while thriving in a collaborative studio environment.
Right to work in the UK.

Salary aligned with experience and qualifications.

Closing date for applications 27^th February

Please submit applications and any queries to info@humphreysdesign.com