The Director of Marine Fabrication Engineering leads and manages the structural and fabrication engineering activities supporting the construction and integration of marine vessels and offshore platforms. This senior leadership role ensures that all structural designs, fabrication methods, welding procedures, and production documentation meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards. The director acts as the key liaison between design, production, and classification authorities, and drives innovation and continuous improvement across fabrication engineering functions.
Lead the structural and fabrication engineering team in developing production-ready designs, shop drawings, and build strategies for steel and aluminum marine structures.
Oversee engineering support for hull structure, decks, bulkheads, foundations, and outfitting support structures during fabrication and assembly.
Ensure all fabrication drawings, nesting plans, and CNC data meet project specifications and classification society rules (ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s, etc.).
Approve welding procedures, joint designs, and material selections aligned with applicable marine codes and standards.
Collaborate with production, planning, and quality teams to optimize build sequences, block erection strategies, and modular assembly workflows.
Interface with clients, classification societies, and project managers to resolve technical queries and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
Champion digital fabrication tools (e.g., 3D modeling, CAD/CAM integration, PLM systems) to streamline production engineering workflows.
Establish engineering KPIs, ensure adherence to budgets and schedules, and manage team performance and resource planning.
Mentor and develop a team of structural, fabrication, and welding engineers and drafters.
Drive continuous improvement in structural design efficiency, cost reduction, and manufacturability.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
10+ years of experience in marine structural or fabrication engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role.
Strong knowledge of shipbuilding methods, modular construction, welding processes, and structural integration.
Proficiency with engineering software (ShipConstructor, AutoCAD, AVEVA Marine, Rhino, or similar CAD/FEA tools).
Familiarity with classification rules (ABS, DNV, BV, Lloyd’s) and international shipbuilding standards (IMO, SOLAS, ISO).
Excellent technical judgment, organizational skills, and cross-functional leadership.
Experience in defense/military ship construction or offshore structure fabrication.
Certification in welding inspection (AWS-CWI, CSWIP) or design codes (ISO 9001, ASME, API).
Knowledge of digital shipyard platforms, model-based manufacturing, or PLM systems.
Office and shipyard environment with regular site walkdowns and production floor engagement.
Must be able to wear PPE and work in industrial areas when required.
Occasional travel to vendor sites, client facilities, or partner shipyards.