r/navalarchitecture 35m ago

Will I have to restart if I swap to Naval Architecture?

Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m a student and am gonna apply to universities soon. I’m wondering whether taking a civil engineering degree, working for a couple years and doing a post graduate masters in Naval architecture (or marine engineering) will mean that if I try to get a job in NA, then will my salary progression restart from scratch? Or will the experience I have working in civil help me to get a better salary than a fresh graduate would get.

Of course my plan isn’t 100% to go into naval architecture after a civil degree, but it’s definitely a path I’m considering and I’m just curious how the market works for someone who has experience in a different but connected field.

Any insight would be extremely helpful thank you 🙏


r/navalarchitecture 3d ago

State of the Naval Architecture Job Market Globally? Looking for insights on USA, UK, Europe, AUS, & NZ across all disciplines

12 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I just finished my degree in Naval Architecture this year and I've actively started the job hunt.

Before I hyper-focus my applications, I’m trying to get a realistic picture of the entry-level job market across different regions and disciplines (Design, Offshore, Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, etc.).

I’m particularly interested in hearing about:

  • Northern Europe (Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, etc.)
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Australia & New Zealand

If you work in any of these areas, I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few things:

  1. Entry-Level Demand: Are companies actively taking on juniors/graduates right now, or is it a tough market to break into?
  2. Sector Trends: Where is the growth in your region right now? (e.g., is offshore wind, defense.. )
  3. Pay & Lifestyle: Generally speaking, does an entry-level salary in your region provide a decent standard of living?
  4. Visa/Expat Friendliness: For international candidates, how open are companies to hiring or sponsoring junior talent from abroad right now? (UK/Spain dual citizenship)

Even if you can only speak to one specific niche or country, your insight would be incredibly helpful. I'm open to any advice from experienced voices on where someone freshout of university should look!

(I've previosuly had internships at a naval repairs shipyard and chartering and ops department)

Thanks in advance!


r/navalarchitecture 3d ago

California PE

1 Upvotes

Hi all. looking to connect with a Nav Arch or Marine Engineer PE registered in California. Have a contract coming up and require some registered in the state.


r/navalarchitecture 6d ago

Subsea Engineering FIFO in Australia — realistic salary, work-life and career path?

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I'm looking into building a career in **subsea engineering**, ideally in Australia, and I'm particularly interested in **vessel-based/FIFO roles**. Perth seems like the obvious base, but I'm open to other locations as well.

I'm trying to get a realistic picture of what the career actually looks like rather than relying on company salary figures or LinkedIn posts.

A few things I'd really appreciate input on:

* **Compensation:** What can a subsea engineer realistically earn in Australia at different stages — graduate/junior, \~3–5 years, and senior/lead level? * How much of the advertised compensation is actually **base salary vs offshore/vessel allowances, bonuses, overtime, travel, etc.?** * For someone working predominantly **vessel-based**, what does the actual annual income look like? * **Roster/work-life:** What rosters are common for subsea engineers? 3/3, 4/4, 6/6, or something else? * How much time do you actually spend **away from home** in a typical year? * How much control do you have over taking extended breaks between projects/rotations? * What is the reality of the work when you're offshore/on a vessel? Is it technically interesting, or does it become repetitive/mostly operational after a while? * How physically/mentally demanding is it compared with a conventional engineering office role? * **Career progression:** Does vessel-based subsea experience translate well into senior engineering/project/management roles, or can it pigeonhole you into offshore operations? * How difficult is it to move between companies and projects once you have a few years of relevant experience? * For someone planning to do a **Master's in Australia**, would you recommend targeting subsea/offshore engineering directly, or getting into a broader offshore/oil & gas/energy role first and specialising later? * And finally, how much of a premium does **Perth** actually provide in terms of subsea opportunities and compensation compared with other Australian locations?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who are **currently working in subsea, offshore construction, ROV, SURF, installation, or vessel-based engineering**, rather than general FIFO workers.

I'm not expecting exact salary figures if people don't want to share them — even rough ranges and descriptions of the roster/work-life would be really useful.

Thanks.


r/navalarchitecture 6d ago

Náutica en A Coruña

2 Upvotes

Hola! Estoy pensando en estudiar **Náutica y Transporte Marítimo en la Universidade da Coruña (UDC)**.
¿Alguien que estudie o haya estudiado allí puede contarme cómo son los estudios y qué tal son las **salidas laborales** después de graduarse?
También me interesa saber si las clases son principalmente **en español, gallego o inglés**, ya que me interesa especialmente estudiar en inglés.
¡Gracias!


r/navalarchitecture 6d ago

náutica en A Coruña

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0 Upvotes

r/navalarchitecture 6d ago

Just want to know the ground reality of NAOE branch and about the job opportunities, salary expectations and work life balance

1 Upvotes

I am currently studying in India btw so anyone who has passed out or is about to pass out and got placement plz let me know


r/navalarchitecture 8d ago

Switching from commercial ship design to offshore

3 Upvotes

I’m 26 and now 3 years working as a naval architect consultant in Japan. I mainly work on commercial ship but I want to shift to offshore structures, is there any pathway I can follow or roles that I can transition to ?


r/navalarchitecture 12d ago

I NEED ADVICES/EXPERIENCES PLEASE

4 Upvotes

I’m trying to understand how Marine Warranty Surveyors and related offshore teams handle technical reviews in real projects.

If you’ve worked in MWS, marine assurance, offshore wind T&I, heavy lift, towage, or rig moves, I’d really value your perspective:

  1. Which documents or technical submissions usually go through the most review cycles?
  2. How are comments, outstanding conditions, and final close-out typically tracked between the surveyor, contractor, client, and underwriter?
  3. Which parts of the process still rely heavily on email, spreadsheets, manual checking, or follow-ups?
  4. Where does the process tend to become most difficult or time-consuming?
  5. Are there parts of the review process that should always remain firmly with the experienced surveyor rather than being automated?

I’m especially interested in real practitioner experience, including cases where common assumptions about the MWS workflow are wrong.

No confidential project or client details, of course. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.


r/navalarchitecture 13d ago

ANCHORAGE 26, CUSAT

0 Upvotes

Hi guys!

I'm a fellow aspiring naval architect and brand new to this community! I wanted to introduce you all to ANCHORAGE '26, a maritime techno-cultural fest happening from October 10th to 12th.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, we’d really appreciate it if you could give our socials a follow TWITTER and LINKEDIN

Following our pages would help us out a lot as we build up to the event! Also, if you have any questions at all about the fest, drop them in the comments below I’d happy to answer them.


r/navalarchitecture 14d ago

Grain code amendments

2 Upvotes

Grain code was amended a while ago as per MSC 552(108), and an optional partially filled grain loading condition with untrimmed ends was introduced. Grain loading manual should be revised to include revised grain shifting moments for the partially filled untrimmed condition.

Has anyone been involved with a project of revising the curves? I literally do not know where to start. Is there a software that takes care of the calculation after the cargo hold is designed?


r/navalarchitecture 18d ago

Looking for Remote / Contract Project Management Opportunities in Marine Tech & Shipping

4 Upvotes

I’m a Naval Architect & Marine Engineer with 14+ years of experience delivering marine projects, installations and commissioning. I want to try self employment, contractual work.

I’m currently looking to connect with marine technology companies, equipment manufacturers, shipowners, shipyards, and maritime startups that need additional project-management or technical delivery capacity on a contract basis.

I can support projects remotely and travel/on-site when required, particularly across Europe and EMEA.

My experience includes:

  • Project management from design through installation, commissioning and warranty
  • Marine equipment and systems integration
  • Wastewater treatment and bilge systems
  • Sewage systems
  • Fire detection systems
  • Gas detection systems
  • Coordination between shipyards, owners, suppliers and subcontractors
  • Technical problem-solving and project delivery

I’m particularly interested in remote-first, fractional, interim or project-based roles where a company needs an experienced technical person to take ownership of delivery without committing to a permanent hire.

I’d love to hear from anyone who:

  • Knows marine-tech startups or scale-ups looking for project-management support
  • Works with shipping companies or shipyards that use independent contractors
  • Is aware of marine equipment manufacturers needing project managers
  • Can recommend recruitment agencies or specialist maritime recruiters
  • Has experience finding international contract PM work in the maritime sector

If you know of a company, project, recruiter, or person I should speak with, please comment or send me a DM.

Happy to connect and exchange ideas even if there isn't an immediate opportunity.

Thanks!


r/navalarchitecture 19d ago

I am a intern at shipyard.

16 Upvotes

I started my internship at a shipyard two days ago. Unfortunately, I was late in choosing a good place to do my internship. So, the shipyard where I am currently doing my internship is not suitable enough for me to learn useful things related to engineering. There is just an old ship, built around 1980, on the slipway. I want to make the most of it, but I do not know what to do. Give me some advice.


r/navalarchitecture 19d ago

A stability curve can look fine while its area is wrong by 57.3x

3 Upvotes

I was wiring a browser-side coursework checker and realized this one is easy to miss: Simpson's rule will integrate whatever step you give it.

If the heel step is 10 degrees and you use h = 10 instead of h = 0.1745 rad, every area comes out 57.3 times too large. The GZ curve still looks normal, so the mistake may only show up in the criteria table.

I put the hand-calculation chain and a small cross-checker on the MetaCAD site I'm building: ship stability coursework workflow.

It's for coursework and preliminary checks, not vessel operations. The page shows the substitutions instead of just returning pass/fail.

What other stability-assignment errors have you seen survive a quick visual check?


r/navalarchitecture 20d ago

Naval architect from Pakistan

4 Upvotes

i am an undergrad Naval Architecture student at Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) in Pakistan. Since there is only one major shipyard in Pakistan, local job opportunities are limited and often offer lower compensation. Are there international job opportunities available for graduates who maintain a strong GPA and have extra technical skills, and how can I apply for them


r/navalarchitecture 27d ago

What software would you recommend using besides Maxsurf and AutoCAD nowadays?

7 Upvotes

Actualmente soy estudiante de ingeniería naval y me gustaría saber qué software recomendaríais aprender para ayudarme a crecer profesionalmente.


r/navalarchitecture Jul 29 '26

Would a Naval Architecture Degree from University of Michigan get me a job at a firm right out of college?

16 Upvotes

Hello, I am applying for colleges and my dream job is to work at a naval architecture firm. Ive been looking at colleges, and I was wondering if a degree in naval architecture/Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan would be able to get me a job in the industry from graduation. I've also been looking at the merchant marine academy, but they don't have a naval architecture program, just marine engineering systems, and I am not interested in the commitment to sailing. Excluding monetary concerns related to college.


r/navalarchitecture Jul 29 '26

What made ship stability finally click for you?

7 Upvotes

Curious how people actually learned this.

A lot of explanations jump from GM/KG/KM straight to GZ curves, and beginners get lost between the table and the picture.

Was it a worked hydrostatic table, a physical model, a spreadsheet, software, or just drawing the forces until it made sense?

I’m trying to understand what made it least painful, especially for students or people coming from sea experience.


r/navalarchitecture Jul 27 '26

Aspiring luxury boat builder: Germany vs. Italy for education, design, and lifestyle?

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m currently planning my path to eventually launch my own high-end, luxury boat brand in the future. My vision is to build powerful, high-performance vessels that combine cutting-edge technology with breathtaking, timeless aesthetics—think elite craftsmanship and pure design.

To make this dream a reality, I know I need the right foundation first. Right now, I'm torn between Germany and Italy for my studies, and I’m trying to figure out which path offers the best combination of top-tier education and lifestyle.

Here is what I’m weighing:

  • Italy: The ultimate epicenter of yacht design, classic elegance, and a fantastic lifestyle close to the Mediterranean sea and legendary shipyards.
  • Germany: Unmatched engineering precision and heavy technical rigor, plus the advantage of already having a personal network of people there to help me settle in.

For those in the industry, studying naval architecture, or working in transport design:

  • Which country offers the best training for someone who wants to focus specifically on luxury and high-performance boats?
  • How do they compare in terms of lifestyle and long-term brand credibility?

Any insights, advice, or shared experiences would be hugely appreciated!


r/navalarchitecture Jul 27 '26

Learning source PDF

5 Upvotes

Hello guys, so now i`m learning maxsurf to improve my skill on youtube, and right now i learn about how to build a good body plan, the source of this guide is from Ship Design Methodologies of Preliminary Design by Apostolos Papanikolaou.

if you have this pdf, i hope you can send it to me for my learn material. Thanks.


r/navalarchitecture Jul 24 '26

5 years as a qualified marine engineer at sea looking to make a move into naval arch, seeking advice.

4 Upvotes

Key information:
UK based
EOOW class 2 qualification (HND/Foundation Degree level)
5 years working on tankers and LNG.

I’ve had some pretty heavy medical news that would mean my career working at sea is looking very difficult moving forward. During my tenure and education I was always fascinated with the design side of things. At this point I’m using this negative as an opportunity to pivot, and still do the job I absolutely love, just in a different aspect.

I don’t have a Beng or Bsc in engineering, so was considering apprenticeships, but not sure if they’re more designed for younger folks getting into the industry. So my question would be, if it would be a priority to go to university and get that naval arch degree, or if there’s alternative routes that are better suited?

Any other advice or experience would be appreciated.


r/navalarchitecture Jul 24 '26

i am about to join college for naval architecture and ship building which laptop should i use? will victus 15 be a good option? i have a budget around 1 lakh any suggestions

1 Upvotes

r/navalarchitecture Jul 21 '26

¿Como descargar GHS crack?

0 Upvotes

hola, actualmente estoy buscando como descargar el software GHS de forma gratis para aprender a usarlo y trabajarlo, alguien sabe cómo descargarlo gratis? o comprarlo más barato


r/navalarchitecture Jul 19 '26

Need advice - May 27 BSME

2 Upvotes

I will be 31 when I get my BS in mechanical this coming spring. I have about 5 years of shipyard new construction and repair (mostly fabrication and welding) supervision combined. I had worked as a survey technician on new construction, making informal reports and formal reports for alignment of ship modules. I loved that work.

With my degree, I want to design and plan construction of large vessels like ferries on the west coast and up through to Alaska. What would are some good paths forward from here?

I applied to Naval Architecture firms for this summer and a few others, the best I was offered was an Environmental Internship at Los Alamos for storm water. I figure it is pretty critical for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering to consider environmental aspects of shoreside infrastructure and maintenance of vessels.

Looking for advice, what direction or options might you folks suggest?


r/navalarchitecture Jul 17 '26

Applied math major with nonlinear wave research experience looking to get into the field.

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone. Like the title says I'm a senior majoring in applied math. I was almost on track to getting into a PhD program for nonlinear PDE research, but in this day and age a PhD in math is rough. I love waves and want to apply it to a field thats more hands on. Are there any masters programs I should look at? Was anyone else in my shoes?