Lead, Naval Architecture

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Position Summary

The Lead, Naval Architecture – Stability will serve as a technical subject matter expert responsible for supporting vessel stability, weight management, and technical feasibility assessments across Fleet Modernization, revitalization, dry dock, and lifecycle projects.

This role will provide naval architecture expertise throughout project planning and execution, ensuring vessel modifications, upgrades, and operational changes maintain compliance with stability requirements, regulatory standards, and company objectives.

The Lead, Naval Architect will partner with internal project teams, ship operations, external consultants, shipyards, and classification societies to evaluate impacts to vessel stability, develop technical solutions, and support informed decision-making.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in naval architecture, stability analysis, and ship modification projects, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, influence stakeholders, and translate complex technical information into actionable recommendations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert for vessel stability, weight management, and naval architecture activities supporting fleet modernization, revitalization, and dry dock projects.
• Perform and review stability assessments, feasibility studies, weight impact evaluations, and technical analyses associated with vessel modifications and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain visibility of vessel stability status, weight tracking, operational limitations, and future project impacts across assigned ships.
• Develop and maintain weight management plans throughout project lifecycles, partnering with project managers and technical teams to monitor impacts and identify risks.
• Review proposed modifications, design changes, and operational requirements to evaluate impacts on stability, loading conditions, regulatory compliance, and vessel performance.
• Coordinate inclining tests, lightweight surveys, and stability-related activities in partnership with ship teams, consultants, shipyards, and classification societies.
• Support development, review, and approval of technical documentation, calculations, reports, and stability submissions.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify solutions that balance operational requirements, technical feasibility, compliance, cost, and schedule considerations.
• Provide guidance on applicable stability rules, regulations, industry standards, and company requirements.
• Support lifecycle planning by evaluating future vessel modifications, operational changes, and long-term stability impacts.
• Prepare and communicate technical recommendations, risks, and project updates to leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement of stability processes, standards, tools, and best practices.
• Travel as required to support vessels, shipyards, dry docks, vendors, and project execution activities.

Qualifications And Education

The ideal candidate is a proven transformation leader who has successfully driven large-scale operational change in complex, global organizations. They bring the ability to operate strategically, influence senior stakeholders, and build organizational capability while remaining deeply connected to execution.

Qualifications, Knowledge And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in naval architecture, vessel stability, ship design, shipbuilding, fleet operations, or ship modification projects.
• Strong understanding of vessel stability principles, weight management, damage stability, regulatory requirements, and classification society standards.
• Experience performing stability calculations, technical evaluations, and vessel modification assessments.
• Knowledge of SOLAS requirements and applicable maritime rules and regulations.
• Experience with stability software (such as NAPA or equivalent tools) preferred.
• Ability to analyze technical drawings, specifications, calculations, and project documentation.
• Strong project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives across vessels and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with shipyards, consultants, vendors, operational teams, and leadership.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and sound engineering judgment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools; experience with reporting, analytics, or project management platforms preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally and domestically.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We'll hope to see you onboard soon!

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.