Summary
The Principal Naval Architect / Marine Engineer serves as a senior technical authority for Allen Marine’s vessel fleet, shipyard operations, and marine infrastructure. This position provides advanced naval architecture and marine engineering leadership across vessel construction, modifications, repairs, refits, maintenance, and projects involving docks, ramps, facilities, and other shore-side infrastructure.
The Principal Engineer independently develops, reviews, and approves complex engineering solutions; establishes and applies engineering standards; and provides technical guidance to Project Managers, shipyard personnel, vessel crews, contractors, and company leadership. This role supports projects throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept development and field investigation through engineering design, regulatory coordination, construction, inspection, commissioning, and final documentation.
The position requires periodic travel to Allen Marine facilities, vessels, shipyards, and operating locations, primarily throughout Southeast Alaska, based on project requirements and operational needs.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Vessel & Naval Architecture
- Lead the development, technical review, and approval of vessel designs, modifications, repairs, conversions, and structural improvements.
- Prepare, review, approve, and, when required and legally authorized, seal engineering drawings, plans, specifications, calculations, and technical documentation.
- Perform or coordinate naval architectural analysis including stability, weight, hydrostatics, buoyancy, trim, structural modifications, and machinery arrangements.
- Serve as a senior technical authority in evaluating vessel modifications for structural integrity, stability, operational suitability, maintainability, and regulatory compliance.
- Conduct field inspections and measurements aboard vessels and incorporate existing conditions into engineering designs.
- Support the vessel construction, repair, refit, conversion, and maintenance projects.
- Provide senior-level engineering judgment and practical solutions to complex problems identified by vessel crews, mechanics, welders, shipyard personnel, Project Managers, and leadership.
- Lead the technical review of contractor, consultant, and vendor drawings, calculations, specifications, equipment selections, and technical submittals.
Marine & Shore-Side Engineering
- Provide engineering and design support for docks, ramps, gangways, platforms, and other marine infrastructure.
- Design or modify structural components associated with docks, ramps, and shore-side facilities.
- Evaluate existing structures and develop repair, modification, or replacement solutions.
- Develop plans and specifications for shop-fabricated and field-installed structures.
- Perform field measurements and inspections for facilities and marine infrastructure projects.
- Assist with engineering requirements, permitting, and coordination with contractors, surveyors, architects, structural/civil engineers, and regulatory agencies.
Project & Field Support
- Translate operational and business needs into technically sound, practical, and cost-conscious engineering solutions and provide technical direction on complex or high-risk projects.
- Assist Project Managers with technical scopes, estimates, material requirements, schedules, and project planning.
- Provide engineering support during construction and resolve field conditions or design conflicts.
- Inspect completed work and verify conformity with drawings, specifications, and engineering requirements.
- Assist with commissioning, testing, inspections, and acceptance of completed projects.
- Maintain accurate engineering drawings, calculations, revisions, and technical records.
- Lead root-cause investigation of significant engineering problems and develop corrective actions, risk-reduction measures, and long-term solutions.
- Communicate complex technical requirements and engineering recommendations clearly to Project Managers, foremen, trades personnel, contractors, regulators, and senior management.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Provide senior technical oversight to ensure engineering work considers applicable U.S. Coast Guard requirements, classification standards, building codes, ASTM standards, and other relevant regulations and engineering practices.
- Assist with documentation required for regulatory inspections and approvals.
- Serve as a senior engineering representative in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, classification societies, permitting authorities, and other regulatory agencies when technical support is required.
- Identify regulatory, permitting, certification, and engineering approval requirements early in project planning and advise leadership and Project Managers on technical risk and compliance strategy.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in good standing is required. Must be able and willing to obtain engineering licensure by comity in Alaska and other jurisdictions as required by project needs.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience in naval architecture, marine engineering, structural engineering, marine construction, or a closely related field, including demonstrated responsibility for complex engineering projects.
- Strong understanding of vessel structures, marine systems, stability, and marine construction.
- Ability to read and produce engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD, Rhino, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
- Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to conduct field measurements and inspections and translate field conditions into practical engineering solutions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and effectively with Project Managers, shipyard personnel, vessel crews, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
- Valid U.S. driver's license and a clean driving record.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with commercial, passenger, or workboat vessels.
- Experience with aluminum and/or steel vessel construction.
- Experience with vessel stability calculations and U.S. Coast Guard regulatory requirements.
- Experience with structural analysis, FEA, or marine structural design.
- Experience designing docks, ramps, gangways, platforms, or other marine infrastructure.
- Experience working in a shipyard, vessel operating environment, or marine construction.
- Experience with Rhino Marine, Orca3D, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar engineering software.
- Experience working effectively in a remote environment while supporting geographically dispersed operational and project teams.
- Experience establishing engineering standards, design criteria, technical review processes, and documentation practices.
- Experience mentoring engineers, designers, technical staff, or project teams without requiring direct supervisory responsibility.
- Demonstrated experience serving as engineer of record, technical lead, or principal engineer on complex marine or vessel projects.
Performance Expectations
- Senior-level engineering judgment resulting in accurate, practical, defensible, and timely engineering solutions.
- Reduction of engineering-related risk, rework, project delays, and recurring technical issues through early technical leadership and review.
- High-quality engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, design criteria, and technical reviews suitable for construction, regulatory review, and long-term recordkeeping.
- Effective technical support of vessels, shipyard, facility, and marine infrastructure projects.
- Early identification and resolution of engineering issues.
- Accurate and current engineering documentation.
- Engineering solutions that appropriately balance safety, compliance, cost, schedule, maintainability, and operational requirements.
Traits and Characteristics
To deliver world-class experiences guided by the following Alaska Native cultural values, safely and sustainably.
Embrace Traditional Alaska Native cultural values, including humility and pride, respect for all people (including oneself), respect for nature, humor, patience, strength, and holding each other up.
Follow & Deliver Core Values:
- Safety First: We prioritize our guests' and team members' safety and well-being, ensuring secure and enjoyable experiences.
- World-Class Employment: We strive to be a world-class place of employment, valuing hard work, mentorship, a sense of ownership, and opportunities for career growth.
- World-Class Guest Services: We are committed to exceeding guest expectations, delivering world-class experiences that showcase our hospitality and the beauty of Alaska.
- Collaborative Professionalism: Embracing collaboration within our organization with a professional spirit, understanding that amidst laughter and play, our dedication to excellence and integrity remains unwavering.
- Community Collaboration: Actively choosing to partner with neighbors and the community across Alaska, making a conscious effort to support local businesses and create social and economic opportunities through meaningful cooperation beyond our organization.
- Sustainability at our core: We are dedicated to sustainable operations for future generations.
- Curiosity & Innovation: We encourage a culture of curiosity and innovation, striving to be early adopters in technology and staying ahead in our commitment to continuous improvement.
- Integrity-Driven Decisions: Integrity guides every decision we make, ensuring transparency, honesty, and ethical conduct in all aspects of our operations.
- Cultural Respect & Sharing: We deeply celebrate and honor our Alaska Native heritage, fostering intergenerational connections, embracing family values, and contributing to the cultural richness of our communities.
Environmental Conditions
The environmental conditions are those that an employee may be subject to while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Work is primarily performed remotely, with periodic work aboard vessels and at shipyards, docks, facilities, and other marine/industrial locations. Travel may involve exposure to machinery, welding and fabrication operations, heavy equipment, noise, weather, and other industrial conditions.
Physical Demands
The physical demands are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities permit the employee to communicate well with other employees and the public.
- Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permit the employee to use a computer screen and process numeric data
- Sufficient manual dexterity permits employees to operate a computer keyboard and access files.
- Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes permit employees to move about in an office environment.
- Ability to walk on uneven deck surfaces, crossing from vessel to vessel.
- Must be capable of working aboard vessels and marine structures, climbing ladders, accessing confined or difficult-to-reach areas, and wearing required personal protective equipment.
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment, maintain reliable communication and connectivity, manage priorities across multiple projects, and remain responsive to operational needs across Alaska time zones and project schedules.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here represent those encountered by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Periodic travel is required to Allen Marine facilities, vessels, shipyards, and operating locations, primarily in Southeast Alaska, with additional travel as project needs require. Travel frequency will vary based on vessel schedules, inspections, construction activity, testing, commissioning, and other operational requirements.
- Frequent remote and in-person interaction with Project Managers, shipyard personnel, vessel crews, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership.
- This is a remote, fast-paced, and dynamic work environment supporting geographically dispersed teams and active marine operations.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends and holidays during the tour season.
- Must adhere to Allen Marine, Inc., & Affiliated Companies, and the United States Coast Guard Consortium Drug & Alcohol Policies & Procedures