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Yacht Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Ann Arbor, MI ยท On-site

$62K - $64K/yr

... yacht design; design, production, and management; marine renewable energy; and structural and hydro-acoustics. The Department has access to outstanding computational resources as well as the ...

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How much do yacht design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for yacht design in the United States is $26.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $30.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is yacht design?

A Yacht Design job involves creating the structure, aesthetics, and functionality of yachts, combining engineering, naval architecture, and interior design. Yacht designers work on hull shapes, materials, propulsion systems, and onboard layouts to ensure performance, safety, and luxury. They collaborate with clients, shipbuilders, and marine engineers to develop custom or production yacht designs. The role requires proficiency in CAD software, knowledge of hydrodynamics, and an understanding of industry regulations.

What does a yacht designer do?

Yacht Designers typically spend their days creating and refining yacht plans using advanced CAD software, working closely with clients to understand their preferences, and collaborating with engineers and shipyards to ensure technical feasibility. They often participate in design review meetings, prepare detailed drawings and specifications, and conduct research into new materials or technologies. Depending on the stage of the project, they may visit shipyards for inspections or problem-solving and adjust designs based on feedback. This role offers a dynamic mix of creative design work, technical problem-solving, and teamwork, making every day varied and engaging.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in yacht design?

To excel in Yacht Design, you need a solid background in naval architecture, engineering principles, and proficiency in CAD software, typically supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Expertise in tools like Rhino, AutoCAD, and 3D modeling systems is highly valuable, with professional accreditation from bodies such as the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) considered a plus. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective client communication are crucial soft skills for understanding client visions and collaborating with engineering and interior design teams. These abilities are essential for producing innovative, functional, and safe yacht designs that meet client expectations and industry standards.

How much money do yacht designers make?

Yacht designers typically earn between $50,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior designers or those working for high-end firms can earn higher salaries, especially with specialized skills in CAD software and naval architecture.

How to get into yacht design?

To pursue a career in yacht design, gaining a degree in naval architecture, marine engineering, or industrial design is essential. Developing skills in CAD software, understanding marine systems, and building a portfolio through internships or projects can improve job prospects in this specialized field.
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What cities are hiring for Yacht Design jobs?

Cities with the most Yacht Design job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Yacht Design jobs?

The most popular types of Yacht Design jobs are:

What states have the most Yacht Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Yacht Design jobs include:

Infographic showing various Yacht Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,595 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Senior Manager, Experience Design

The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Fort Lauderdale, FL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Join the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Where Every Voyage is a Symphony of Luxury
Embark on an extraordinary journey with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, an exquisite extension of the renowned Ritz-Carlton brand, dedicated to redefining ultra-luxury hospitality at sea. As a "Lady or Gentleman" of our esteemed team, you'll be entrusted with the art of delivering the impeccable "Gold Standards" that have made the Ritz-Carlton an epitome of excellence across the globe.
The Essence of Excellence: The Gold Standards
The Gold Standards are the bedrock of the Ritz-Carlton experience, setting us apart in the industry and establishing a legacy of unparalleled service. These standards embody the values and culture that define our brand, and serve as the compass guiding our every endeavor.
The Employee Promise
At The Ritz-Carlton, our Ladies & Gentlemen are the most important resource in our service commitment to each other and our guests.
By applying the principles of trust, honesty, respect, integrity, and commitment, we empower and nurture talent to the benefit of each individual and the company.
The Ritz-Carlton fosters a culture where all are valued, quality of life is enhanced, individual aspirations are fulfilled, and The Ritz-Carlton Mystique is strengthened.
Join us on a journey where every day is a testament to the highest standard of luxury and service. Apply now and be part of an unparalleled legacy in hospitality.
What You'll Do
Translate Product Vision into Experiences
  • Partner with Voyage Experience teams to transform voyage vision, experience intent, and product strategy into tangible guest experiences.
  • Define how guests should experience key moments across the journey.
  • Create experiences that are intuitive, differentiated, and aligned to desired guest outcomes.
  • Ensure individual experiences work together as part of a cohesive voyage.

Lead Experience Design & Concept Development
  • Develop guest experience concepts.
  • Create service models, interaction frameworks, experience requirements, and engagement strategies.
  • Design signature moments and differentiated experiences that strengthen the overall product.
  • Lead concept refinement, prototyping, and pilot development efforts.

Build Experience Architecture
  • Develop guest experience flows.
  • Identify opportunities to improve engagement and reduce friction.
  • Define how experiences connect across touchpoints and moments.
  • Establish experience frameworks and standards that support consistency and quality.

Influence Physical Product Development
  • Partner with newbuild on physical design initiatives.
  • Evaluate how physical environments influence guest behavior, engagement, and experience quality.
  • Identify opportunities where venue design, guest flow, activation opportunities, and environmental design can strengthen experience outcomes.
  • Ensure physical spaces, programming, and service models function as a cohesive experience ecosystem.

Drive Innovation & Continuous Improvement
  • Collaborate with Journey & Insights teams to identify opportunity areas.
  • Translate guest needs and behavioral insights into experience solutions.
  • Support pilot programs and concept testing initiatives.
  • Monitor emerging hospitality, travel, entertainment, and lifestyle trends to identify future opportunities.

Success Looks Like
  • Product vision is consistently translated into meaningful guest experiences.
  • Experiences feel intentionally designed rather than operationally assembled.
  • Service models, programming, and physical environments work together seamlessly.
  • New concepts strengthen differentiation and guest engagement.
  • Friction points are systematically identified and addressed.
  • Experience standards create consistency while preserving creativity and innovation.
  • Physical design decisions increasingly support intended guest behaviors and outcomes.

What We're Looking For
Experience
  • 8-12+ years of experience in experience design, service design, hospitality innovation, product development, customer experience, experience strategy, or related disciplines.
  • Proven success designing consumer-facing experiences, services, or hospitality products.
  • Experience developing concepts from strategy through implementation.
  • Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
  • Experience influencing complex projects without direct authority.

Skills & Capabilities
  • Exceptional experience design and service design capability.
  • Strong concept development and innovation skills.
  • Ability to translate strategy and insight into tangible guest experiences.
  • Strong systems-thinking mindset.
  • Deep understanding of how service, programming, and physical environments influence guest behavior.
  • Experience collaborating with architects, interior designers, or product development teams.
  • Strong facilitation, storytelling, and communication skills.
  • Ability to balance creativity with operational practicality.

Ideal Backgrounds
  • Service design and experience design consultancies
  • Luxury hospitality brands
  • Theme parks and immersive entertainment organizations
  • Travel and leisure experience development
  • Lifestyle and membership brands
  • Product innovation teams
  • Customer experience strategy organizations
  • Experiential retail and destination development organizations

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is an Equal opportunity, inclusive employer and will consider all applicants for employment with the Company on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.