Based on qualifications and experience Phoenix Labor Group is conducting a direct-hire search for an experienced Shipyard Design Manager in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This is a senior-level marine-engineering leadership position. Applicants must have directly relevant ship-design or shipyard-engineering experience. General design, construction, or manufacturing management experience without a marine or shipyard background will not meet the position requirements. Position Overview The Shipyard Design Manager will lead and coordinate vessel-design and engineering activities from initial concept through production and project completion. This position oversees engineers, naval architects, designers, and drafters while ensuring that design packages meet customer requirements, production needs, project schedules, budgets, and applicable marine regulations. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with production, estimating, purchasing, project management, quality, and customer representatives to develop safe, practical, and cost-effective vessel designs. Key Responsibilities Lead the shipyard's vessel-design and engineering activities. Supervise and provide technical direction to engineers, naval architects, designers, and drafters. Plan and assign design work according to project priorities, schedules, budgets, and available resources. Review customer specifications, contracts, drawings, and technical requirements. Oversee the development and approval of vessel arrangements, structural drawings, system designs, production drawings, and technical documentation. Coordinate the integration of hull structures, propulsion, mechanical, piping, electrical, and outfitting systems. Ensure designs comply with customer requirements and applicable regulatory and classification standards. Review calculations, drawings, material specifications, bills of materials, and design changes for accuracy and completeness. Coordinate design-review meetings with customers, regulatory agencies, production teams, and project stakeholders. Support production by resolving design questions, interferences, and construction-related technical issues. Monitor engineering schedules, design budgets, workloads, and project deliverables. Identify design risks, technical conflicts, and potential cost or schedule impacts. Manage drawing revisions, engineering changes, and document-control requirements. Support vessel inspections, ship checks, testing, commissioning, and project closeout activities. Assist with estimating, proposal development, and evaluation of future vessel projects. Promote consistent engineering standards, quality procedures, and continuous improvement. Mentor team members and support the professional development of engineering and design personnel. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related engineering field. Minimum of five years of directly relevant ship-design or shipyard-engineering experience. Demonstrated experience leading engineers, naval architects, designers, or drafters. Professional experience using AutoCAD and ShipConstructor. Strong understanding of vessel design, shipbuilding methods, and shipyard production processes. Working knowledge of naval architecture, structural design, propulsion, piping, electrical, mechanical, and vessel-outfitting systems. Ability to read, interpret, and review vessel drawings, technical specifications, calculations, contracts, and regulatory requirements. Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and design activities. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and strict deadlines. Ability to work on-site in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Preferred Qualifications Ten or more years of ship-design or shipyard-engineering experience. Previous design-management or engineering-management experience. Experience with commercial-vessel construction, ship repair, conversions, or major vessel modifications. Experience with government or military-vessel design projects. Knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard, ABS, and other applicable marine regulations and classification requirements. Experience coordinating directly with customers, regulatory agencies, and classification societies. Experience supporting vessel construction from initial design through testing and delivery. Work Environment This position involves work in office, shipyard, and onboard-vessel environments. The selected candidate must be able to participate in vessel inspections and ship checks, access production areas, and wear required personal protective equipment when working in the shipyard. How to Apply Qualified candidates should submit a current resume clearly detailing their ship-design, shipyard-engineering, software, and leadership experience. Candidates whose resumes do not demonstrate the required marine or shipyard design experience may not be considered.
Job Types:
Contract, Full-time Application Question(s): Do you have a bachelor's degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Engineering, or a closely related field? Have you supervised engineers, naval architects, designers, or drafters? Briefly describe a ship-design project or engineering team you led. How many years of ship-design or shipyard-engineering experience do you have?
