Designer 4

Ingalls Shipbuilding•Newport News, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Designer Level 4 role is a senior-level technical and leadership position responsible for the coordination, development, and execution of highly complex ship system and component designs. Level 4 Designers serve as technical experts within their discipline, providing advanced design support, mentoring, and oversight to junior designers and cross-functional teams. This position requires a deep understanding of ship design integration, system interfaces, regulatory compliance, and production processes. Level 4 Designers often serve as discipline leads or key contributors on large-scale projects, ensuring that all design products meet stringent performance, safety, and manufacturability standards.

Requirements

Associate's Degree and 6 years of relevant experience
NNS Apprentice School graduate
Navy Nuclear Power School (NNPS) graduate
High School/GED and 2 years of related Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience
High School/GED and 4 years of non-related Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience
Strong computer skills/experience using computer based software
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Extensive experience in reading and interpreting written instructions, drawings, tech manuals or other technical documents, and following processes and procedures
The candidate should have the ability to manage and track the products in their AOR, represent the team in meetings, and be prepared to brief management with status updates if needed.
This person may also serve as an advisor to management, other leads, and other various customers when needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in naval or marine ship design, particularly with Navy or DoD programs.
Expertise in one or more design disciplines: structural, piping, electrical, arrangements, HVAC, or mechanical systems.
Working knowledge of NAVSEA, MIL-SPEC, ANSI, and ASME standards.
Experience with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems and configuration control tools.
Previous experience as a lead designer or design team coordinator.
Demonstrated experience in research, design, and complex problem-solving

Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of complex 2D and 3D models for ship systems, structures, or components using AutoCAD, Inventor, NX, or similar 2D/3D design software.
Solve complex design issues while meeting system and ship-level requirements.
Serve as a technical subject matter expert and resource for designers and engineers within assigned design discipline.
Oversee and coordinate multi-discipline design integration, ensuring proper system interfaces and alignment across ship compartments and modules.
Review and approve detailed arrangement, fabrication, and installation drawings for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with engineering requirements.
Manage and implement design changes, redlines, and engineering revisions through configuration control systems.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to Level 1–3 Designers, supporting training and development within the design organization.
Collaborate with engineering, planning, production, and supply chain to resolve complex technical issues.
Ensure design intent is maintained through construction.
Participate in and often lead design reviews, readiness meetings, and production support discussions.
Support standardization and continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process enhancements and developing design best practices.
Apply advanced knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods, welding, and shipyard practices to optimize designs for performance, safety, and cost.
Capable of managing and tracking products within assigned areas of responsibility (AOR), representing the team in meetings, and providing management updates as required.
Designs components or portions of systems and modifies existing designs to develop or improve products and facilitate manufacturing operations.
Utilizes computer-aided design equipment and/or graphic tools such as, CAD, CAM, NX, or CATIA.
Gathers information, makes studies, computes calculations, and prepares original rough layouts, sketches to present design proposal.
Coordinates design criteria with engineering, manufacturing, tooling, material, and planning group such as ease of manufacture, availability of materials, and contractual specifications.
Exclude classifications in which incumbents predominantly perform drafting assignments.