Naval Architect

Your Fit

Income

$100K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

0.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Naval Architect?

A Naval Architect is a specialized engineer responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of marine vessels and structures, such as ships, boats, submarines, and offshore platforms. They combine knowledge of marine engineering, architecture, and nautical science to create efficient and seaworthy vessels.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Naval Architect.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Naval Architect earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$77K per year	$81K per year	$100K per year	$127K per year	$157K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $52K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Naval Architect do?

Work environment

Naval Architects work in a variety of settings including shipyards, maritime engineering firms, naval bases, and design offices. Their role may involve site visits, field testing, and overseeing construction processes. The work often requires collaboration with marine engineers, designers, and clients.

Quick task list

Designs and oversees the construction of marine vessels and structures.
Conducts stability, strength, and hydrodynamic tests.
Ensures compliance with maritime regulations and safety standards.
Supervises shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance projects.
Collaborates with engineers and clients to develop project specifications.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Ship Design: Focusing on the design and layout of commercial and military ships.
Submarine Design: Specializing in the design and construction of underwater vessels.
Offshore Structures Design: Working on the design and development of offshore platforms and structures.
Yacht and Small Craft Design: Concentrating on recreational and small craft vessels.
Maritime Safety and Regulations: Specializing in maritime safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Description

Naval Architects are at the forefront of maritime technology and innovation. They blend principles of engineering and design to create vessels that are safe, efficient, and fit for their intended purpose. Their work spans across the entire process of vessel creation, from initial design concepts to final construction and testing. This can include developing blueprints, selecting materials, and determining propulsion systems.

The role requires a strong foundation in engineering principles, particularly fluid dynamics, materials science, and structural analysis. Naval Architects must be detail-oriented, creative, and have strong problem-solving skills. They should also possess good communication skills as they often work in multidisciplinary teams and need to explain complex technical concepts to non-specialists.

Naval Architecture offers a unique blend of creativity and engineering, providing the opportunity to work on a variety of projects from small boats to massive ocean liners and specialized marine structures. This career is ideal for those who have a passion for the maritime world and engineering and enjoy tackling large-scale, complex challenges.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Designing innovative maritime vessels and structures.
Contributing to significant projects that impact global maritime operations.
The challenge of solving complex engineering problems in a maritime context.

You might make a good Naval Architect if you are...

Fascinated by ships and maritime technology.
Skilled in mathematics, physics, and design.
Interested in combining creativity with engineering principles.
Adept at problem-solving and critical thinking.
Capable of working effectively in a team and communicating complex ideas.

Pros:

Opportunity to work on diverse and exciting projects in maritime engineering.
High degree of job satisfaction from seeing designs come to life.
Well-compensated field with opportunities for advancement.

Cons:

Can involve long hours, especially when meeting project deadlines.
Some work environments might be challenging, such as shipyards or offshore platforms.
Requires keeping up-to-date with evolving maritime technology and regulations.

How to become a Naval Architect

Typical education

Typically, a bachelor's degree in naval architecture, marine engineering, or a related field is required, taking about 4 years of post-secondary education. Some positions might require advanced degrees or additional certifications.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced mathematics and physics to build a strong technical foundation.
Computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting courses.
Chemistry and materials science for understanding material properties.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a robotics club or a team that competes in engineering challenges.
Participating in model shipbuilding or engineering hobby groups.
Volunteering or interning at maritime museums, shipyards, or with naval engineers.

Preparation after high school

Earn a bachelor's degree in naval architecture, marine engineering, or a related field.
Pursue internships or co-op programs in maritime engineering firms.
Gain professional certification or licensure, which may be required for certain positions.
Consider advanced degrees for specialized roles or career advancement.

More resources

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) - Professional organization offering resources, networking, and career development for naval architects.
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) - Provides classification services and technical standards for marine and offshore industries.
MarineLink - An online resource for the latest news in maritime industry and technology.
Webb Institute - A specialized college offering a program in naval architecture and marine engineering.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.