Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

The Work

Naval architects design ships and similar marine vessels, and oversee their construction and maintenance. Many naval structures, such as cruise liners, warships and oil tankers, are very large and complex. Modern engineering on this scale is therefore very much a team activity, involving professional engineers from different fields and disciplines. However, naval architects have overall responsibility for the project.  
 
They also have a special role in making sure that the team produces a safe, economic and seaworthy design for a new naval structure. Naval architects need an understanding of many branches of engineering, as well as being experts in all aspects of ship design, including function, appearance and safety. They must also keep up-to-date with advances in high technology areas.  
 
They are in charge of the smooth and efficient operation of all the ships systems. They use very important skills to design a safe and seaworthy vessel. In construction and repair, naval architects take responsibility for sections of the shipyard. They organise the supply, inspection and testing of materials and parts. They are also responsible for deciding how many employees a project will need.  
 
In technical departments, architects deal with costs and supply matters. They look into ways to obtain the components and equipment they need for the project, and manage the budget. Some naval architects work as ship surveyors. They work world-wide to make sure ships are safe. They examine plans of ships in their design stage, looking at their strength, stability and life-saving features.

During construction, ship surveyors carry out inspections to make sure the quality of the work and materials meets rules and regulations. Once a ship is in operation, surveyors continue to do routine inspections, making sure the ship's owners have repaired any defects and are maintaining safety standards. Naval architects may also work as consultants, providing clients with engineering solutions, technical and commercial guidance, support and project management.  
 
There are research and development opportunities for naval architects. There are also opportunities for naval architects with above average qualifications to work in colleges and universities as professors. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
• Supervise other engineers and crew members and train them for routine and emergency duties.
• Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as sise, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
• Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
• Oversee construction and testing of prototype in model basin and develop sectional and waterline curves of hull to establish center of gravity, ideal hull form, and buoyancy and stability data.
• Evaluate performance of craft during dock and sea trials to determine design changes and conformance with national and international standards.
• Prepare plans, estimates, design and construction schedules, and contract specifications, including any special provisions.
• Check, test, and maintain automatic controls and alarm systems.
• Design layout of craft interior, including cargo space, passenger compartments, ladder wells, and elevators.
• Evaluate operation of marine equipment during acceptance testing and shakedown cruises.

Further Information

• Naval Architect - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

A Degree or Higher National Diploma in an engineering discipline is required. In particular, the following subjects may improve your chances, NFQ levels 6-8:

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Operator, Engineering technology & operations, Engineering OEM, Computer-Aided Design, Architectural Technology & Computer-Aided Design in centres around Ireland NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Prelim Engineering, Pre Univ engineering, Civil, Mechanical & Electronics Engineering, CAD - Computer Aided Draughting and Design, at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Surveying, Engineering Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-10 Search Apprenticeships

Some choose to apply for Careers in the Naval service serving their apprenticeship Search Naval careers

Higher Education CAO entry: Marine engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Civil/structural engineering, Computer-aided engineering, Mechanical engineering NFQ levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Ireland National Marine College 

Dept of Transport Seafarers Career maps 

IMDO Irish Marine Development office: Maritime Careers

Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) There are no specific naval architecture courses available in Ireland. Interested candidates would usually apply to a U.K university. Applicants should ensure that their chosen course is accredited by the For more information on a career in Naval Architecture.   

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €54k - €97k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Salaryexpert/ Erieri/Prospects.ac.uk/Morgan McKinley/WEI

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Royal Institution of Naval Architects

  • 10 Upper Belgrave Street, London, SW1X 8BQ
  • +44 (0)20 7235 4622
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• IMDO – Irish Maritime Development Office

  • Wilton Park House, Wilton Place D02 NT99, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • (01) 7753900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• Defence Forces, Recruitment & Competitions Section

  • Department of Defence,Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
  • 1890 42 65 55
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here