Principal Maritime Structural Engineer

Van Arendonk Makelaardij; Gosport; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence technology company in Gosport is seeking a Principal Maritime Structural Engineer to lead engineering activities on a high-profile maritime project. The role entails Finite Element Analysis, structural design, and team coordination. Candidates should have a Mechanical Engineering degree and significant experience in engineering leadership. This position offers hybrid working options and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in structural design to recognised codes of practice.
• Substantial experience of Finite Element Analysis of structures.
• Excellent understanding in engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate engineering activities to deliver projects.
• Mentor others to build capability across engineering teams.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and compliance.

Skills

Leading multidisciplinary project teams

Finite Element Analysis

Proficient in CAD software

Education

BEng / MEng in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

FEA software (ideally Abaqus)

Job description

Principal Maritime Structural Engineer

At QinetiQ, we are not just imagining tomorrow, we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Maritime Structural Engineer at our Gosport site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principal Mechanical 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 safely, highlighting hazards and providing options to reduce the risk as low as responsibly practicable.
• Governance – ensure 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

• Significant previous experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• 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

• BEng / MEng in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent industry experience.

This role is 37 hours per week based at Haslar. Hybrid working patterns are available.

Haslar

Our facilities at the Haslar Marine Technology Park are state‑of‑the‑art, including our ocean basin rotating arm and marine towing tank, offering an unparalleled environment for testing and refining designs. Our marine technology provides our global customers a service to deliver constrained hydrodynamic model tests of surface ships, submarines, offshore structures and renewable energy devices.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting journey. Through effective teamwork and pulling together, you’ll experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines and link technologies; discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture: www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq.

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.
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community.

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting; applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions; factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles you can be employed in. Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.