Naval Architect, Small Craft

Naval Architecture Opportunity at DLBA Naval Architects – A Division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox

DLBA Naval Architects, formerly Donald L. Blount and Associates, is a leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm, now a division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox. DLBA offers innovative consulting services for designing a diverse range of boats, from sleek, high-performance fiberglass recreational boats like Mastercraft’s Aviara series to rugged, aluminum workboats such as the Kayak Express. We pride ourselves on bringing advanced design and engineering to the waterfront, serving clients from high-speed record-setting race boats to reliable commercial tugs and barges.

DLBA specializes in pushing the boundaries of high-performance marine craft design, but our expertise extends across all types of vessels. Our team's involvement in research and development keeps us at the cutting edge of the industry, introducing new technologies to revolutionize the boating world.

What You'll Be Doing:

As a Naval Architect, you will be embedded in a client team with US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Code 83, Combatant Craft Division (CCD).  You’ll provide onsite support to CCD at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.  In this position, you will perform overarching multidisciplinary engineering design, analysis, research, and testing service for US Navy small craft (<300 ft).

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and detailed engineering calculations using first principles hand calculations and devise approaches to challenges encountered. 
• Assist client teams in the design of boats and craft.  Provide solutions by applying existing design skills, techniques, and procedures.
• Collaborate with teammates to develop small craft design solutions.
• Provide onsite naval architecture service to US Navy Combatant Craft Division (Code 83) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story.
• Overarching vessel design 3D modeling and drawings
• Hydrostatics/Hydrodynamics (stability both intact and damage, resistance, propulsion estimates, etc.)
• Structural/Scantling design with FEA analysis

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active DoD secret security clearance
• B.S. Degree or higher in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 2 years’ engineering experience (non-nuclear)
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering and an in-depth knowledge of principles, practices and related technologies
• Knowledge of specifications and regulatory requirements (BS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC)
• Strong time management and organization skills as an independent contributor
• Demonstrated experience solving technical problems using first principles hand calculations and devising new approaches to challenges encountered. 
• Proficiency in using industry-standard CAD software, including AutoCAD and Rhino
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Strong analytical skills, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent MS Office skills, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Shipyard or boatyard experience
• Professional certificates of competency in applicable CAD & engineering software

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

October 6, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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.