Director of Naval Architecture

Impossible Metals is looking for an experienced, entrepreneurial Director, Naval Architecture to lead the development, retrofit, integration, and commissioning of the offshore vessels that will support our autonomous subsea operations at scale. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll build Impossible Metals’ naval architecture capability, develop a small team, and manage external engineering firms, shipyards, equipment vendors, and marine partners through complex vessel conversion and new-system integration projects.

You’ll work at the intersection of naval architecture, robotics, offshore operations, and marine systems, helping define how our vessels operate, how autonomous underwater vehicles are deployed and recovered, and how complex offshore missions are executed safely and efficiently. We’re looking for someone who is energized by first-of-kind technical challenges, comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup environment, and capable of taking vessel concepts from early design through detailed engineering, retrofit, commissioning, and offshore operation.

What you’ll own

• Build and lead Impossible Metals’ naval architecture capability, including developing a small internal team and determining where external engineering expertise is required.
• Evaluate, select, and manage naval architecture firms, shipyards, marine engineering partners, and other technical vendors.
• Lead the development of concept, preliminary, and detailed vessel designs for offshore operations involving autonomous subsea systems.
• Develop and refine vessel arrangements supporting AUV deployment, recovery, storage, handling, maintenance, and offshore operations.
• Lead vessel acquisition, retrofit planning, integration, commissioning, and shipyard execution.
• Own the integration of major marine systems, including launch and recovery systems (LARS), cranes, handling equipment, dynamic positioning systems, and supporting vessel infrastructure.
• Coordinate stability, hydrodynamics, seakeeping, operability, and other naval architecture analyses required to support vessel design and offshore operations.
• Own the vessel classification and regulatory strategy, working with classification societies such as DNV, ABS, or Lloyd’s Register as appropriate.
• Act as the primary interface between naval architecture activities and Impossible Metals’ robotics, mechanical, electrical, software, marine operations, and leadership teams.
• Ensure vessel engineering decisions are compatible with the requirements of the subsea systems being developed by the broader technical team.
• Lead marine-system vendor selection, technical evaluations, RFP processes, and major equipment decisions.
• Identify and manage technical, schedule, cost, integration, and execution risks throughout vessel development and retrofit programs.
• Support offshore trials, commissioning activities, and operational readiness.
• Travel to shipyards, vessels, offshore trials, engineering partners, and vendor locations in the US and internationally.

What does success look like?

By the end of your first six months, we’ll know we made the right hire because:

1. The naval architecture program has a clear execution path — vessel requirements, design priorities, external engineering partners, classification requirements, major technical risks, and the path from concept through retrofit and commissioning are clearly defined.
2. The right technical capability is in place — you have established the internal and external team required to execute the work, selected appropriate engineering partners and vendors, and created clear ownership across Impossible Metals, external designers, shipyards, and equipment suppliers.
3. The vessel concept has materially advanced — key vessel arrangements and integration requirements for AUV deployment, recovery, handling, DP, cranes, LARS, stability, seakeeping, and offshore operations have been evaluated and are progressing through a disciplined design process.
4. Cross-functional integration is working — naval architecture decisions are being made in close coordination with robotics, mechanical, electrical, software, and marine operations teams, with dependencies and technical decisions clearly documented.
5. Major program risks are visible and being managed — technical, regulatory, classification, shipyard, vendor, cost, and schedule risks are identified early and actively driven toward resolution.

What we’re looking for

• Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Approximately 10–15+ years of relevant experience in naval architecture, offshore vessel engineering, marine engineering, or vessel conversion programs.
• Significant experience with industrial vessel retrofit, conversion, or major modification projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing vessel design or retrofit programs involving external naval architecture firms, shipyards, equipment vendors, and other engineering partners.
• Strong technical understanding of vessel stability, hydrodynamics, seakeeping, operability, and marine systems integration.
• Strong understanding of offshore crane systems, lifting and handling systems, and launch and recovery equipment.
• Experience working with classification societies such as DNV, ABS, or Lloyd’s Register.
• Familiarity with dynamic positioning systems and DP retrofit or integration projects.
• Experience interfacing directly with shipyards through design, planning, construction, retrofit, commissioning, or trials.
• Strong technical judgment and the ability to make practical engineering decisions in an environment where requirements are still evolving.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead small, high-performing technical teams.
• Strong vendor and project management skills, including the ability to manage outsourced technical work without outsourcing technical ownership.
• Ability to work effectively across naval architecture, mechanical, electrical, robotics, software, and marine operations teams.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity, incomplete information, and first-of-kind engineering challenges.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within the US and internationally.

Nice to have

• Experience with autonomous vessels, AUVs, ROVs, subsea robotics, or other complex subsea systems.
• Experience with offshore construction, heavy-lift, subsea installation, cable-lay, or other specialized offshore vessels.
• Experience designing or integrating LARS, moonpools, A-frames, cranes, winches, or other subsea handling systems.
• Experience with first-of-kind marine architectures or major vessel conversions involving novel operating concepts.
• Experience with vessel acquisition, technical due diligence, or evaluation of candidate vessels for conversion.
• Offshore commissioning or sea-trial experience.
• Experience working in a small, high-growth technology company.
• Experience developing systems for harsh, remote, deep-water, or offshore environments.

Why join us

You’ll have real ownership over the vessels and marine architecture that make Impossible Metals’ offshore operations possible. This is not a conventional ship-design role. You’ll help define new offshore operating models that integrate large vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, robotics, launch and recovery systems, and complex marine operations into a system that does not currently exist in the industry.

You’ll have significant influence over major technical and commercial decisions, work directly with teams across robotics and offshore operations, and take vessel programs from concept through real-world deployment. Impossible Metals is developing technology intended to change how critical battery metals are collected from the ocean floor, with the goal of doing so in an environmentally responsible and economically competitive way.

Top perks and benefits

• Stock options in this early-stage company
• Four weeks paid vacation
• Flexible hours
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• RRSP matching
• Onshore and offshore deployment bonuses
  
• Domestic and international travel associated with vessel development, shipyards, commissioning, and offshore operations