Hutt Valley High School
Naval Architect Kaihoahoa Tāruru
Naval architects plan, design and supervise the construction and repair of ships, yachts and boats.
Naval architects may do some or all of the following:
- create or adapt designs, drawings, written plans and technical calculations for ships, yachts or boats
- check designs align with safety regulations
- consult with clients, professionals and government officials on designs
- write reports on whether a design is possible
- conduct computer and water pressure tests on designs
- manage the design and building process of boats and ships
- oversee repairs, changes and upgrades
- manage shipyards.
Naval architects may also help develop laws for the marine industry and provide expert advice for court cases.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for naval architects includes:
- boating experience
- boat building or general construction work
- draughting or use of design and CAD software
- architectural or engineering work
- shipyard work.
Personal Qualities
Naval architects need to be:
- creative
- practical
- mechanically minded
- accurate, with an eye for detail
- able to work well under pressure
- good at maths and physics
- able to write reports
- good communicators.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for naval architects includes:
- boating experience
- boat building or general construction work
- draughting or use of design and CAD software
- architectural or engineering work
- shipyard work.
Subject Recommendations
NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include construction and mechanical technologies, design and visual communication, digital technologies, mathematics and physics.
Naval Architects can earn around $50K-$60K per year per year.
Naval architects may progress to set up their own design business, or move into management roles.
