DESIGNER 4
Location:
Newport News, Virginia, United States
Date: Oct 24, 2025
Req ID: 43770
Team: E01 ENGRG & DESIGN
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: No relocation assistance available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirement: Yes, 10%-25% of the time
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Meet HII's Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees - including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. Anchored in our rich, 135-year history, we collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
The role:
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.
Key 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
Physical/Work Environment:
Primarily office or design lab environment with occasional visits to shipyard and production areas.
Must be able to wear required PPE and comply with shipyard safety procedures when in industrial areas.
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.
Must Have
Associate's Degree and 6 years of relevant experience
One of the following may be used as equivalent to Associate's Degree to meet minimum qualifications:
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
Nice to Have
Nice to have:
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
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.
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII's diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.
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