Senior Engineer - In-Service Support

About us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. They depend on the lifeboats and equipment we provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our lifeboats are amongst the best in the world but we're constantly looking at ways in which we can improve their performance, safety and reliability.

Your role

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Engineer with a background in naval architecture to join our dynamic In-Service Support team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing the performance, safety, and reliability of our marine platforms throughout their operational lifecycle.

As a Senior Engineer, you will be tasked with focus on the following areas:

• Provide expert engineering support for in-service marine platforms, ensuring performance and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Apply naval architecture principles to assess structural integrity, stability, materials / coatings, and hydrodynamic performance.
• Lead and support investigations into technical issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, production, and project management to deliver engineering solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and modification proposals.
• Liaise with coastal teams, surveyors, suppliers, and classification societies / certifying authorities to ensure alignment with project requirements and standards.
• Manage & mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential skills and experience

• Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in a marine engineering role with a strong understanding of naval architecture principles.
• Experience in supporting in-service vessels, including maintenance, upgrades, and defect investigation.
• Proficiency in engineering software tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Rhino, Maxsurf, or similar).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership.
• Proficiency in using PDM/PLM systems, with a solid understanding of configuration control principles and asset management processes.
• Background in the defence or commercial maritime industries.
• Familiarity with the MCA Workboat Code, MGN 280, or the Brown Code.
• Experience working with classification societies and managing approval processes.
• Previous experience as a Search and Rescue (SAR) operator with the RNLI or an independent lifeboat organisation.