Structural Drafter Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Description

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

Background investigation, US Citizenship, CAC, and a confidential security clearance are requirements of this position. Travel is 20%.  

TMMG is seeking a Senior Structural Engineer to support the Engineering Design Team (EDT) in delivering high-impact engineering solutions across naval and commercial shipbuilding programs.

This role is not a traditional "desk-only" design position. The selected candidate will operate as a hands-on technical leader, bridging engineering, production, and waterfront execution. The engineer will be expected to solve real shipyard problems, validate designs against actual installed conditions, and ensure structural solutions support constructability, test readiness, and delivery schedules. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in ship structures, strong analysis and design capability, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, multi-discipline environments.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Structural Design & Analysis

Develop and review structural designs for:

o Hull structures, foundations, and reinforcements

o Equipment foundations (shock, vibration, and mission systems)

o Deck structures, bulkheads, and support systems

Perform structural calculations and analyses, including:

o Static and dynamic loading

o Fatigue and stress analysis

o Shock and vibration (DDAM / Navy shock requirements preferred)

Ensure compliance with:

o ABS, USCG, NAVSEA, and applicable classification rules

o Contract specifications and regulatory requirements

2. Shipyard & Waterfront Integration

Interface directly with:

o Production teams

o Planning and scheduling

o Test & Trials teams

Validate structural designs against:

o As-built and installed conditions

o Construction sequencing and access constraints

Identify and resolve:

o Design gaps impacting production

o Interferences and constructability issues

Support deckplate problem-solving to keep work moving

3. Engineering Change & Configuration Control

Review and develop:

o Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)

o Work Orders and field changes

Assess impacts to:

o Structure integrity

o Schedule and sequencing

o Material and installation

Ensure structural changes are:

o Technically sound

o Buildable in the shipyard environment

4. Shock, Load & Specialty Analysis

Perform or support:

o Equipment mounting and foundation design

o Load path verification and structural adequacy

Support customers with:

o Analytical assessments

o Data requirements definition

o Technical reporting and recommendations

5. Drawing Development & Review

Develop and review:

o 2D drawings and structural details (AutoCAD or equivalent)

o 3D model outputs (Navisworks, ShipConstructor, or similar)

Ensure drawings:

o Reflect real installation conditions

o Support production sequencing

Align with configuration control requirements

6. Client & Program Support

Interface with clients, including:

o Shipyards

o Government representatives (NAVSEA, USCG, MSC)

o OEMs and vendors

Provide:

o Technical recommendations

o Clear, actionable communication

Support proposal efforts and technical write-ups when needed

7. Mentorship & Leadership

Provide technical guidance to:

o Junior engineers

o Designers and drafters

Establish best practices for:

o Structural design and analysis

o Shipyard integration

Serve as a go-to technical authority within EDT 

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.

Must be able to access and inspect all areas of machinery.

Education/Certification Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in:

Naval Architecture, Structural Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering (with structural focus)

Master's Degree preferred

Experience

10+ years of experience in:

o Naval or commercial shipbuilding

o Structural design and analysis

Proven experience supporting:

o Shipyard construction or waterfront execution

Experience with:

o ABS, USCG, and/or NAVSEA standards

Technical Skills

Strong proficiency in:

o Structural analysis methods and calculations

o AutoCAD (required)

o 3D modeling tools (preferred)

Experience with:

o Shock analysis (DDAM preferred)

o Finite Element Analysis (FEA tools such as FEMAP, ANSYS, NX-NASTRAN, etc.)

Ability to:

o Interpret and develop technical drawings

o Translate engineering into buildable solutions

Preferred Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Experience on programs such as:

o Naval vessels (DDG, LCS, OPC, MSC vessels)

o Offshore or commercial vessels

o Familiarity with:

o Configuration management systems

o Test & Trials processes

o Experience working in:

o Multi-shipyard or multi-program environments

Key Competencies

Execution-Focused Mindset

Understands that good engineering must work in the yard

Problem Solver at the Deckplate Level

Integrator

Bridges engineering, production, and testing seamlessly.

Schedule-Aware Engineer

Understands how structural decisions impact cost and delivery timelines.

Clear Communicator

Can explain complex structural issues in plain language to all stakeholders.

Why TMMG

At TMMG, we don't just design-we integrate, execute, and deliver. Our engineers are embedded with clients, solving real problems that impact schedule, cost, and vessel delivery.