Naval Architect
Panthalassa · Portland, OR · Posted Jul 7, 2026
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About the Company
We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.
The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.
About the Job
We are developing a core technology, the “Node”, that will operate in the worst conditions the world’s oceans have to offer for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention.
As a Naval Architect, you will be a critical contributor to the design and delivery of the Node’s hull - performing stability, weights, and seakeeping analyses; developing structural and mechanical designs; and driving drawing releases that keep fabrication on track. Your work will ensure our ocean-deployed systems are seaworthy, fabrication-ready, and high-performing in the harshest marine conditions. You will apply the lens of naval architecture across the Node program, driving requirements for stability, seakeeping, and marine operations. You will also contribute to hydrodynamic analyses and lead multidisciplinary investigations into hydrodynamic loads. We expect you to be especially strong in analysis and to gravitate toward first-principles, fundamental-physics approaches to problem-solving.
Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and be able to thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment. If you are an excellent engineer, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.
Responsibilities
Perform and maintain stability and weights balances analyses using GHS and other internal tools
Develop and release Node structure drawings, driving drawing releases to keep fabrication ungated
Perform detailed design of mechanical, structural, and support subsystems (e.g. human access, shoreside support)
Determine requirements for the Node program relating to stability, seakeeping, mooring, structures, and marine operations
Drive hydrodynamic loads investigations involving multidisciplinary teams
Contribute to Orcaflex analyses and hydrodynamic studies
Drive Node program strategies for corrosion mitigation and biofouling prevention
Work closely with the Marine Operations Engineering team to develop concepts of operations and ensure Nodes can be safely and reliably deployed and recovered at sea
Contribute and participate in external communications with regulators, insurance partners, and marine surveyors
Lead and participate in design reviews with the internal team and interface with external fabricators and vendors
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or similar field
2+ years of professional experience performing stability, seakeeping, and weights/balances analyses in a Naval Architecture role
Professional experience using GHS or equivalent vessel stability software (e.g. Maxsurf, Orca3D)
Professional experience using a parametric CAD package (e.g. NX, Solidworks) to model parts, assemblies, and generate fabrication drawings
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to provide guidance and technical material to engineers, designers, technicians, and suppliers, adeptly receiving and incorporating their guidance and technical information into your approach
Confidence working independently to drive a project forward
Desired Qualifications
Experience working with regulatory and class on novel projects
Experience with RANS theory and tools (Star-CCM+, OpenFoam)
Shipyard manufacturing or repair experience
Experience using high-end hydrodynamics analysis software to estimate vessel motions (e.g. Ansys AQWA, Maxsurf Motion, WAMIT)
Proficiency with Orcaflex
2+ years of 3D CAD modeling experience
Experience with NX/Teamcenter
Experience with Rhino3D CAD software
Experience with finite element analysis (NX NASTRAN, FEMAP) software packages
Experience using Python, Julia, MATLAB, or a similar programming language for data review and analysis
Experience using AI tools (e.g. Cursor, Claude, Copilot) for programming and analysis workflows
Experience working with regulatory and class on novel projects
Prior experience working in a marine environment and/or with marine vessels
Proficient and frequent user of hand calculations
Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-starting, and demanding atmosphere
A curiosity to learn and a passion for continuous improvement
Solid understanding of technical projects from the details to the big picture
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and prese…