Ship Build Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Franklin, LA · Operations

This role supports the design, analysis, and development of autonomous surface vessels, focusing on hands-on oversight of fabrication, integration, and issue resolution at the shipyard. It involves collaborating with design engineering teams, managing CAD models, resolving non-conformances, and supporting the integration of autonomous systems.

What you'd actually do

  1. Operate as liaison between engineering, drafting, and production to resolve challenges that arise during design and construction
  2. Identify and resolve non-conformances, lead root cause analysis, and drive resolution via IRBs (Issue Review Boards) and rework plans
  3. Lead and coordinate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)—ensure traceability, communication, implementation, and verification
  4. Support the integration of autonomous navigation and control systems into vessel designs
  5. Manage CAD models to document changes made during ship construction

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • Familiarity with maritime industry standards including ABS and coast guard regulations
  • Strong fundamentals in core engineering principles, including structure, mechanical, and electrical systems
  • Experience working in a shipyard or onboard ships
  • Strong knowledge with 2D and 3D CAD software (e.g., Rhino, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, NX)
  • Deep familiarity with interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances
  • Strong communication skills across engineers, technicians, quality teams, and leadership
  • Comfortable working in an industrial shipyard environment

Nice to have

  • support the design, development, analysis, and construction of ASVs
  • perform CAD modeling, structural/mechanical/electrical design, and weight management for vessel optimization
  • Participate in design reviews and brainstorming sessions for new and existing vessel concepts
  • Support documentation, technical writing, and preparation of reports for internal use, regulatory bodies, and client presentations
  • Support sea-trials and at-sea testing of ASVs as needed

What the JD emphasized

  • interface remotely with our design engineering teams
  • owning the hands-on oversight of fabrication, integration, and issue resolution at the shipyard
  • resolve challenges that arise during design and construction
  • resolve non-conformances
  • lead root cause analysis
  • drive resolution via IRBs
  • Lead and coordinate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)
  • Support the integration of autonomous navigation and control systems
  • interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and fabrication tolerances