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Marine Structural Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Tridentis, LLC

Marine Designer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

We are looking for a Marine Designer with Arbortext experience and a background in mechanical, electrical or structural design to perform shipchecks, AutoCAD, and technical writing. Ultimately this ...

HII

Welder - Manufacturing

Newport News, VA · On-site

$59K - $62K/yr

We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two ... To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works, please ...

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All JobsMarine Structural Designer JobsMarine Structural Designer Jobs in Virginia

Marine Structural Designer information

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$20

$41

$65

How much do marine structural designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for marine structural designer in Virginia is $41.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.96 and $51.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a marine structural designer?

Marine Structural Designers are professionals who specialize in designing and developing the structural components of marine vessels and offshore structures, such as ships, oil rigs, and platforms. They use engineering principles and specialized software to ensure that these structures are safe, stable, and able to withstand harsh marine environments. Their work often involves collaborating with naval architects, engineers, and shipbuilders to create detailed plans and blueprints.

What are some common challenges faced by marine structural designers when working on large vessel projects?

Marine Structural Designers often encounter challenges such as balancing structural integrity with weight limitations, adhering to strict maritime regulations, and integrating new technologies into their designs. They must frequently coordinate with naval architects, engineers, and shipyard teams to ensure designs meet both functional and safety requirements. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as project timelines can be tight and unexpected design modifications may arise during construction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a marine structural designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Marine Structural Designer, you need a solid background in structural engineering principles, naval architecture, and proficiency with CAD software, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as AutoCAD, Rhino, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are essential for designing safe, efficient marine structures that meet regulatory standards and project specifications.

What is the difference between Marine Structural Designer vs Marine Civil Engineer?

AspectMarine Structural DesignerMarine Civil Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Marine Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field; certifications in structural designBachelor's in Civil Engineering, Marine Engineering; PE license often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, shipyards, offshore platformsConstruction sites, ports, offshore structures
Industry UsageFocuses on designing marine structures like ships, docks, offshore platformsInvolved in planning, designing, and managing civil infrastructure in marine settings

Marine Structural Designers specialize in creating detailed designs for marine structures, while Marine Civil Engineers oversee the broader planning and construction processes. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their focus areas differ within the marine industry.

What are popular job titles related to Marine Structural Designer jobs in Virginia?

For Marine Structural Designer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Marine Structural Designer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Marine Structural Designer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Marine Structural Designer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Marine Structural Designer job openings:

Marine Structural Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Marine Structural Designer job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,888 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Marine Designer

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Tridentis, LLC
Engineering Professional Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Tridentis, LLCexternal

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Medical, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

As a rapidly growing small business, we are looking for experienced designers and engineers who can provide quality deliverables and help grow our business. We are looking for a Marine Designer with Arbortext experience and a background in mechanical, electrical or structural design to perform shipchecks, AutoCAD, and technical writing. Ultimately this person will be responsible for engineering deliverables for the U.S. Navy, MSC and USCG. If you also have excellent people skills, marine HM&E experience, exemplary work ethic and an excellent understanding of U.S. Navy, USCG and MSC ship systems, we’d like to meet you.

Responsibilities

Working as a team to develop all engineering and technical deliverables.

Perform Design and Drawing development of marine systems.

Develop and modify technical manuals using Arbortext.

Quality Assurance of all engineering deliverables.

Client facing.

Develop drawings in AutoCAD

Assist the PM in business development and customer relations.

Expect 10% domestic and international travel.

Requirements

2-5 years of proven experience in design or engineering with US Navy, UCG or MSC vessels.

AutoCAD experience.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.

Current Passport.

Must have a current secret level security clearance or the ability to obtain a clearance.

Arbortext SGML experience is highly preferred.

Competitive Salary and the Following Benefits
  • 401(k) matching
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
Schedule & Location

Monday to Friday.

Located onsite in Norfolk, VA or Bremerton, WA.

About Tridentis

Tridentis is a privately held small business focused on providing naval architecture, marine engineering, program management and logistics services to the U.S. Navy, USCG and Military Sealift Command (MSC) in addition to other federal agencies. Tridentis is headquartered in Washington DC and has offices in Norfolk VA, Bremerton WA and Kona HI. In addition to providing engineering services to the federal government, Tridentis has a spin off company, Advanced Marine Vehicles that is entirely focused on designing, developing and building autonomous marine vehicles. Tridentis is committed to maintaining an agile company, with a flat organizational structure while achieving long term consistent growth.

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