Our engineering recruitment firm tells you more about this important maritime profession.

What is a naval architect?

A naval architect designs and plans the construction of floating structures, including pleasure craft, barges, cargo ships and submarines.

Naval architects combine their knowledge of mechanics, aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, structural engineering and boat building materials to design vessels that are safe, efficient and economically viable.

They work closely with other marine professionals, including mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and shipbuilders, to ensure that ships are built to required standards and specifications. This maritime profession is lesser-known and in high demand, and the job placement rate for naval architects in Quebec is excellent.

Where are Quebec’s shipyards located?

Quebec’s shipyards are found in several different regions of the province:

• Davie (Lévis, near Quebec City) The largest shipyard in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Builds and repairs ships of all sizes, including warships, commercial vessels, rescue ships and oil rigs.
• SOS Marine (La Baie, near Saguenay) Specializes in the repair and renovation of fishing boats and pleasure craft.
• Chantier Naval Forillon (Gaspé)
• Meridien (Matane)

Many shipyards are no longer in operation, such as the famous Canadian Vickers in Montreal or Marine Industries Limited (MIL) in Sorel-Tracy. Successful shipyards that are still thriving are currently joined by dozens of other companies operating in the maritime and naval field.

Naval architect duties and responsibilities

A naval architect may be required to perform a variety of duties as part of their job, including:

• Ship Design: A naval architect is responsible for designing various types of ships, everything from small boats to cruise ships to commercial vessels. There are many factors to be taken into consideration in each case, including marine safety, economic feasibility and unique client needs.
• Cost analysis and budgeting: A naval architect may be responsible for preparing budgets for projects and analyzing the costs associated with design and construction.
• Preparation of technical documents: For each project, the architect will need to put together documents containing technical specifications, design plans and simulation programs.
• Communication with clients and shipbuilders: A naval architect may communicate with clients to discuss the project requirements and preferences. They may also work with shipbuilders to verify that design goals are met.
• Supervision of ship construction: Another responsibility is to oversee the construction of ships. Supervision is necessary to ensure that design plans are respected and safety standards are met.
• Problem solving: A naval architect needs to be ready to find creative solutions to any problems during the design or construction of a ship.

Typically, the naval architect is involved throughout the ship design and construction process, from initial planning to final delivery. They play a key role in ensuring that vessels are safe, economically viable and meet client requirements.

Naval architect skills

The most important skills that a naval architect will need in order to be successful are the following:

Mechanical and marine engineering

A naval architect needs a thorough knowledge of the basic principles of mechanical and naval engineering. These include design methods and materials and construction techniques specific to shipbuilding.

Marine safety

A naval architect needs detailed knowledge of marine safety standards and regulations to design vessels that are safe for passengers and crew.

Design skills

Naval architects need to design ships that are efficient and economically viable. Knowledge of CAD/CAM software is necessary to visualize and simulate different design options.

Communication and teamwork skills

A naval architect must be able to communicate effectively with other professionals within the maritime industry, including shipbuilders, customers and regulatory agencies.

It is important that a naval architect be a good team player, as they will be responsible for coordinating various aspects of ship design and construction.

Analysis and problem solving

Naval architects have to analyze any problems that arise during the design and construction of ships and find creative solutions.

How to become a naval architect in Quebec

Unfortunately, not a single Quebec university offers a degree in naval architecture. To get a degree, you will need to go abroad, or at least study elsewhere in Canada such as at Memorial University in Newfoundland.

If your goal is to obtain a college degree, it is possible to study at a CEGEP in Quebec and be awarded a DEC in naval architecture technology. The Maritime Institute of Quebec offers a three-year French-language training which will qualify you as a naval architecture technician.

After your training, you will need to acquire practical experience by working for a company in the naval sector. You could also pursue internships or co-op placements and learn more about working as a naval architect as a semi-professional.

Finally, to be certified as a naval architect in Quebec, you will have to pass a certification exam with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ). This exam evaluates your knowledge of naval and mechanical engineering and your ability to apply it in practice. You will need to maintain your certification by continuing to develop your professional skills and by respecting the ethical and professional standards of the OIQ

Naval architect salary in Canada

Across all provinces, the median salary for a naval architect is around $93 000.

A naval architect who is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec will often earn more than a naval architecture technician. The annual salary in Quebec is closer to $70 000.

Find a job as a naval architect at Fed Manutech

If you are looking for a job as an engineer or technician in the maritime sector, Fed Manutech recruiters can help you.

Contact us or submit a spontaneous application and we will be happy to offer recruitment advice and refer you to an appropriate employer. 😊