Senior Composite Structural Engineer

Join to apply for the Senior Composite Structural Engineer role at Vessev.The roleVessev is creating a new era of how we move on water, and we need a (senior) composite engineer to join our Vessel Design team and support our Hydrofoiling Systems team.
The role will be fast-paced and demanding and exceptionally rewarding for the right person.Our Vessel Design team turns vision into reality or "dreams into hulls", while the Hydrofoiling Systems team provides the magic that lets our vessels fly above the waves.
You'll work right at this intersection.
Because we all share the same facility, you can watch your designs take shape day by day.
There's no disconnect between design and build, just a daily opportunity to see your ideas come to life.As for you, your experience might come from being a naval architect, or an aerospace or mechanical engineering background, but you'll have honed your skills in composite designs and structural analysis.
Our boats can handle some large seas and our foils need to take the loads that come with those conditions.
We don't need you to be an expert on marine or electric vehicles, but you do need to be intelligent, a fast learner, and curious - this will have a much more significant impact on how you come up to speed on the technical details.Internally, you will work with the COO and the wider Vessev team to make sure we're building to Vessev's high standard of performance.
We have the best talent on site - these are people who have built America's Cup boats and have extraordinary engineering experience - so the potential is there for you to harness.
This is a role that will have plenty of scope to have a lasting impact, not only at Vessev but the wider marine industry.What your day could look likeOwning structural performance modelingOur biggest commercial offering, the VS?18 will need ongoing refinement to meet our performance requirements and designed to international standards.
You will simulate the behavior of materials under load, analysing factors like stress distribution, deflection, and fatigue.
You may use FEA (Finite Element Analysis) tools to perform detailed simulations to predict how the components will perform under various operating conditions.
You'll also analyse the load paths to ensure that forces are efficiently transferred through the structure while ensuring the design can handle the intended load requirements.Material selection and composite designYou will select the best materials (composite, metallic, or a hybrid) for each component to optimise for strength, weight and cost and more.
When it comes to composites, you would be ready to specify the layup and fabrication method with a mind for producing cost effective and repeatable components to supply the Vessev fleet.
You will always be on the cutting edge, on top of the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and design innovations to stay ahead of the curve.
This might mean selecting off-the-shelf components when appropriate to streamline the design and reduce costs, but also knowing when a custom solution is necessary to meet specific project requirements.Coordinate multi-disciplinary solutionsWith our multi-discipline design and build teams under the same roof, you'll need to work with the wider team to make sure the composite solutions combine with the hardware and fitout to make the best product we can.
This includes a close working relationship with the build team to ensure solutions are designed for manufacture from the outset.
This can extend into tooling design and the specification of materials and processes.Showcase Your IngenuityWhile there is plenty of experience and talent, Vessev is always open to new ways of doing things, better.
You might come up with clever ways of improving existing solutions by reducing complexity or optimising load paths.
It's not just about buying a part and putting it on, it's about looking at a particular problem and asking yourself "can I make something groundbreaking here?"Continuously improve our processesWhile there is plenty of experience and talent, Vessev is always open to new ways of doing things, better.
You might generate scripts so our tools, such as FEA and CAD, are more efficient.
Alternatively, you could identify new composite technologies or processes to help unlock Vessev's drive for high performance.
The lever for impact here is large.While this list encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, it reflects the significant opportunities within Vessev's Vessel Design team.
As we continue to expand, you'll have the chance to specialise across these areas, contributing to personal growth and the company's success.
The dynamic nature of this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and evolve with a rapidly growing company.RequirementsYou do not need to hit every requirement to apply.Qualifications And ExperienceBachelor's degree in Naval Architecture or a technical engineering discipline (e.g.
aerospace, mechanical, industrial, chemical).8+ years experience with composite structural analysis, laminate specification and detailing.A strong background in mechanical design from prototyping through to production.Experience with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software.Ability to create and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and assembly instructions.Comfortable with first principle calculations.Familiar working in CAD 2D and 3D.Collaborative at heart - you love the give-and-take of working with diverse teams and sharing knowledge, but always learning something new yourself.Bonus ExperienceKnowledge of applied fluid dynamics, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and other simulation tools - these are how we generate the load cases to start your analysis.Experience with electric propulsion systems and actuators.Proficient in data analysis using Python.General experience in the marine industry.High degree of ownership and ability to thrive in a demanding and dynamic startup atmosphere.Direct interaction with build teams and material processing.Material testing experience.If you have read up to this point, think Vessev is the right fit for you, but you don't think this role is right for you, consider getting in touch with us.We are growing ****** companyOur purpose at Vessev is to propel a more liveable world - one with better commutes, fewer cars on the roads, additional routes to affordable housing, better connections with nature, clean air, and clean water.
We're doing that by designing and manufacturing electric hydrofoiling vessels - the most performant electric vessels ever.
Through extraordinary increases in efficiency and comfort - they unlock entirely new sustainable opportunities on our under-utilised waterways.We value trust, honesty, and a certain can-do spirit that only comes from the desire to blow expectations out of the water.
Above all else - we care about doing our best work.
Our team have built America's Cup-winning racing yachts, delivered orbital rockets into space, created iconic international technology products, earned multiple PhDs, and helped build existing internationally renowned companies.
We are backed by some of the best including Blackbird Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and K1W1.There are 33 million vessels in the world today, and nearly all of them are fossil fuel-powered.
Demand for practical, sustainable solutions is growing exponentially in every sector, and marine is no exception.
What we are creating at Vessev is the most performant way to move on the water and will have a large role to play in this once-in-a-generation transition.We're not just making electric boats.
We are making better boats that can make a genuine impact.Together, we can propel a more liveable world.Office first but not office onlyImportant events are nearly always held in person.
That sense of connection and spontaneity cannot be replaced, and the work that we do is no exception.
We believe in an office-first culture for the highly collaborative and world-class nature of what we do.
"Flying boats to help save the world" will need more than Zoom calls to take flight.Being in the office lets us build real relationships—not just through meetings but through the everyday interactions that create trust and a sense of teamwork.
These connections allow us to disagree, give feedback and do meaningful and aligned work.
Some of the best ideas come from quick conversations or impromptu brainstorming sessions.
Being in the same space makes it easier to share thoughts and solve problems together.
Working side by side helps us make decisions quickly, stay aligned, and keep pushing the ball forward.With that being said, we are office first, but not office only.
We place a huge amount of trust in our team to do what is best for Vessev.
Ultimately, we are a sum that is greater than its parts and being together is what helps us reach extraordinary outcomes.Why our people love VessevWe are developing a foundational technology for the future of marine sustainability.
There are fewer than 100 electric hydrofoiling vessels on the water today.
We are at the earliest innings of this great transition and joining Vessev is a chance to make some waves (metaphorically speaking).Genuine impact - the technology we are creating isn't just green.
It uses up to 90% less energy than conventional vessels and has used economic benefits to propel its adoption."First flights" are massive memorable events that we all share in and coming up we will have some huge events associated with our larger vessels.A hugely talented and collaborative team to work with.Our products are quite public - we're not just creating an iconic New Zealand company, we will be creating an iconic company on the global stage.We offer 20 weeks fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers and 4 weeks fully paid secondary caregiver leave (conditions apply).We offer attractive remuneration packages made up of salary, and generous employee stock ownership plans (role dependent).Usage of our 1500sqm facility and tools for personal projects (conditions apply).Being on the water is part of our job - our facility even borders the Tamaki River with outdoor seating available for daily use.If the water is where you want to be, you will find no shortage of boaters, beach goers, sailors, foilers, surfers, and kiteboarders in our community.Join our teamVessev is committed to creating the best possible work experiences that we can - a place where everyone can do their best work.
Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and under-represented groups of candidates tend to only apply when they meet every requirement.
If you think you have what it takes but don't necessarily tick every requirement on this job description, please still get in touch and apply to Vessev.We'd love to chat to see if you'll be an epic fitIf this opportunity sounds like you, please apply below by sending through your cover letter explaining why you're excited about this role and working at Vessev, along with your CV, and we'll be in touchIf you have questions please send them to ******
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