Naval Architect

We are looking for a Lead Naval Architect to drive the hull form, structural integrity, and hydrodynamic dominance of our high-speed autonomous interceptor. You will work on platforms that operate in some of the most unforgiving environments on the planet.

Your mission:

· Hull & Hydrodynamic Ownership: Serve as the absolute authority on the unit naval architecture. Define the lines, stability parameters, and hydrodynamic performance to ensure our platform can maintain extreme speeds in high sea states without catastrophic slamming or loss of control.

· Structural Integrity & Shock Mitigation: Design a hull capable of surviving extreme dynamic loads. You will own the structural architecture, ensuring the platform can withstand the brutal shock and vibration of high-speed interception while protecting sensitive autonomous payloads.

· Weight & Center of Gravity (CoG) Authority: Own the mass and CoG budgets with absolute authority. In a high-speed platform, weight is the enemy. You will manage the weight estimate across all competing engineering sub-teams.

· Complex Systems Integration: Lead the physical integration of propulsion systems (including waterjets and high-voltage architectures) and sensor payloads into a tightly constrained, hydrodynamically optimized physical envelope.

· Tank Testing to Sea Trials: You will plan and oversee towing tank tests, scale-model validation, and ultimately the full-scale saltwater sea trials of the Whiplash platform.

Who are you?

You are a systems-level thinker who understands that a high-speed vessel is a tightly coupled physical system where every ounce, every contour, and every composite layup matters. You have experience in pushing complex, high-performance marine craft from the whiteboard to the water. You also have:

· A proven track record of leading the complete physical design cycle of high-speed, high-performance maritime craft (e.g., fast attack interceptors, offshore racing vessels, or advanced autonomous surface vessels).

· You understand assembly, structural integration, and have operational sea-trial experience. You know how to build what you design.

· Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ship Science, or a closely related field.

· Demonstrated experience strictly managing weight, CoG, and structural load limits. Deep knowledge of advanced composite or lightweight alloy structures under dynamic marine loads.

· Nationality: Due to defense contract requirements, Dutch or NATO-country nationality and security clearance eligibility are mandatory. Candidates outside will not be considered.

What do we offer?

You will lead the physical development of a platform that redefines maritime defense capability.

• Competitive Salary: Corresponding to the high responsibility of owning total vehicle architecture.

• Equity / Stock Options: Direct ownership stake in the hardware and platforms you bring to life.

• Real Authority: Full autonomy over technical budgets; you make the key engineering decisions that shape the vehicle.

• High-Impact Environment: Flat hierarchies, rapid execution, and a passionate team building cutting-edge maritime defense capabilities.

We are a team of engineers, operating with action, a flat hierarchy, and a singular focus on out-performing the status quo in the maritime industry. You will work at a high- impact environment with a passionate team that focuses on rapid execution. If you want to contribute to the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicle platforms and see your work deployed in real-world environments, we would love to meet you.