Junior Structural Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

ENGINEER STRUCTURAL 4
Location:
Newport News, Virginia, United States
Date: Aug 21, 2026
Req ID: 47573
Team: E50 PROP AND REAC ENG PLNG YRD
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: Yes, 10%-25% of the time
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $124,000.00 to $153,000.00
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII's Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees - including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
This requisition is for a position within the one of the Propulsion and Reactor Engineering Planning Yard's (PREPY) structural engineering groups with opportunities to support the development of new aircraft carriers, modernization of the existing aircraft carrier fleet, design of a new battleship class, and standard valve designs used throughout the Navy. The PREPY is a single multidiscipline, cross-platform design agency, which is responsible for the design, development, and lifetime support of the propulsion plants (including reactor plant) of all Navy aircraft carriers (NIMITZ and FORD Class) and nuclear battleships (BBGN Class), as well as the standard valves used across all Navy ships.
This senior level engineer will be responsible for propulsion plant structural designs.
Analyzes, researches and develops structural engineering specifications involving metals, non-metallic or composite structural materials for product design, or operation of product to include structures, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronics, power plant, armament, heating and ventilating, equipment and maintenance designs. Analyzes damage tolerance, durability, design allowables and structural modeling. Specific structural engineering specialties may include dynamics and loads, stability and stress fatigue and thermal analysis. Tools utilized may include CATIA, IDEAS, ProEngineer and a variety of software applications.
Must Have
Bachelor's Degree and 9 years of relevant exempt experience;
Master's Degree and 7 years of relevant professional experience;
Ph.D. and 4 years of experience.
Newport News Shipbuilding requires a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program.
Nice to Have
Preferred qualifications include:

• Proficiency in utilizing finite element analysis (FEA) methods with pre-/post-processor FEMAP and ABAQUS computer applications
• Proficiency in performing hand calculations using textbook methods, developing engineering calculation reports, and checking structural analyses reports
• Ability to train and help manage the work of junior level engineers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - responsible for reporting on area of cognizance to all levels of NNS management as well as directly to our Navy customer
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervisor oversight
• Excellent collaboration skills to interface with construction, develop close working relationships with other engineering disciplines and value stream customers, and work with designers to communicate engineering resolutions and approve changes to the CAD model
• Tools utilized include Siemen's TEAMCENTER, FEAMAP, NASTRAN, ABAQUS, MATHCAD and a variety of other engineering and design software applications

Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII's diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.