Also called: Lead Ship Designer
Leads design of entire ships, from ferries to warships, and signs off on how they float, move, and survive.
The chief naval architect sets the big design decisions, such as hull shape, size, and power, then reviews the work of dozens of engineers. They meet with shipowners and the Navy, defend designs to regulators, and solve the hardest stability and safety questions.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 10 years after high school. Bachelor's in naval architecture (Webb Institute, Michigan, MIT, Virginia Tech, USNA, or a maritime academy), often a master's, plus 10-15+ years of experience and a PE license.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI generative design spits out hull options fast; picking the concept and signing for safety stays with senior engineers.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Drafting or CAD class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2121.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.