Senior Structural Engineer
About the role
We're looking for a Senior Structural Design Engineer with a recognised Finite Element Analysis (FEA) specialism to join our growing engineering team.
This is a key technical role responsible for the analysis, substantiation, and delivery of structural solutions for composite and metallic marine structures. Working across concept design, detailed design, and production support, you'll help ensure our vessels meet demanding requirements for performance, structural integrity, compliance, and manufacturability.
As a senior member of the team, you'll combine advanced analysis capability with sound engineering judgement, helping shape technical decisions from early-stage concepts through to production and in-service support.
What you'll be doing
- Deliver structural calculations and analysis for composite and metallic marine structures.
- Develop, review, and validate finite element models and analysis outputs.
- Perform hand calculations and rule-based assessments to support structural substantiation.
- Optimise structures for strength, stiffness, weight, and manufacturability.
- Support compliance with applicable Class, Flag, and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with production teams to resolve build challenges and support engineering changes.
- Contribute to concept development, feasibility studies, and weight estimation activities.
- Provide technical review, mentoring, and support to junior engineers.
- Collaborate across engineering disciplines to manage interfaces and deliver integrated solutions.
What we're looking for
- Experience in the structural design and analysis of marine structures in composites and/or metallics.
- Proven experience applying Finite Element Analysis to real-world engineering challenges.
- Strong understanding of structural behaviour, load paths, and failure mechanisms.
- Ability to perform and validate hand calculations and rule-based assessments.
- Knowledge of composite manufacturing methods and their impact on structural design.
- Experience working to recognised marine standards and regulatory requirements.
- Experience supporting production and resolving engineering-related build issues.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable experience
- Experience using Siemens NX, Simcenter, or equivalent analysis software.
- Knowledge of composite laminate design and material selection.
- Experience with structural optimisation and weight estimation.
- Familiarity with configuration control and engineering change processes.
- Experience mentoring and developing engineers.
How you'll work
You'll work within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, collaborating closely with Naval Architects, Designers, Systems Engineers, and Production teams to deliver practical, high-performance structural solutions.
You'll use a combination of FEA, first-principles engineering, hand calculations, and rule-based design methods to develop and validate structures. You'll take ownership of technical challenges, provide guidance to junior engineers, and contribute to the continuous development of engineering standards and best practice across the business.
Why join us?
At Kraken, you'll be part of a team delivering next-generation maritime technology through innovative engineering, rapid development, and a commitment to excellence.
You'll have the opportunity to work on challenging programmes, collaborate with talented multidisciplinary teams, and make a direct contribution to the future of maritime capability while continuing to develop your technical expertise and leadership skills.
What we provide
- 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
- After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annual leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
- Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
- Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
- Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
- Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
- Life assurance 3x salary
- Group Income Protection
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
- Professional membership reimbursement
Important to know
Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.
Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.