Ship Design Manager

Ship Design Manager (SDM)

Leidos Gibbs & Cox – Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering

Leidos Gibbs & Cox is the largest independent naval architecture and marine engineering firm in the United States. Since 1929, we have designed 24 classes of combatants and nearly 7,000 vessels for military and commercial clients worldwide. Our mission is to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that address the 21st century’s maritime challenges with quality, integrity, and technical excellence.

We are seeking an experienced Ship Design Manager (SDM) to provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary ship design projects. The SDM plays a pivotal role in ensuring a fully integrated, cost-effective, and technically sound ship system design that meets contracted performance requirements.

Location: This position allows for remote work. However, the candidate must be local to a Leidos Gibbs & Cox office to attend meetings as needed. Office locations are : Arlington VA, Philadelphia PA, New York NY, New Orleans LA, Newport News VA, Houston TX.

Key Responsibilities

The Ship Design Manager will:

• Provide technical leadership across all ship design disciplines.

• Own and guide the overall technical solution for assigned projects.

• Serve as an independent decision-maker for cross-disciplinary design trade-offs.

• Evaluate design solutions for compliance, balance, and performance requirements.

• Disseminate and coordinate technical requirements with Systems Engineering.

• Direct the development of technically acceptable solutions for incorporation into the design.

• Monitor changes in key technical products and facilitate timely resolution of issues.

• Identify and report technical risks to the Program Manager.

• Ensure sound systems engineering practices are followed throughout the project.

• Execute design strategies in alignment with Program Management, Chief Engineer, and senior leadership.

• Maintain awareness of product development and delivery, engaging to ensure on-time, high-quality deliverables.

• Communicate technical impacts of design changes to the team and stakeholders.

• Provide regular technical status updates to leadership, teammates, and clients.

• Represent Leidos Gibbs & Cox with industry organizations (SNAME, ASNE), ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry standards.

• Support marketing and business development efforts for new ship design programs, including concept design and technical proposal leadership.

• Mentor and develop future Ship Design Managers.

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in ship design and engineering (Naval, Coast Guard, or government vessels preferred).

• Ship Design experience must include : a working understanding of all aspects of Naval Architecture, Structures, Propulsion and Auxiliaries, Electrical, and Mission Systems

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) or higher.

• Professional Engineering (PE) License.

Desired Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex ship design projects or engineering organizations (5+ years).

• Expertise in design and engineering of U.S. naval, coast guard, or other government vessels.

Why Join Leidos Gibbs & Cox?

• Work with the nation’s leading independent naval architecture and marine engineering firm.

• Influence the design of advanced naval and government vessels.

• Engage in high-visibility programs supporting the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and international clients.

• Collaborate with a team committed to innovation, excellence, and mentorship.

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.