Marine Electrical Engineer (Small Craft)

Join DLBA Naval Architects, a division of Gibbs & Cox, Inc., and now part of Leidos — a leading firm in naval architecture, marine engineering, and small-craft design. We are seeking a marine electrical engineer with hands-on design and construction experience to join our team in Chesapeake, VA. The ideal candidate will have boatyard and design experience and will deliver technical solutions on challenging, fast-paced projects.

Why DLBA?

• Work on a wide variety of projects — from high-performance sportfishing boats to unique programs for clients such as DARPA.
• Collaborate with a technically respected team in the small-craft industry while enjoying the close-knit culture of a smaller group supported by the resources and stability of a larger organization.
• Continuous professional growth through engaging, diverse projects.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide marine electrical engineering design expertise for high-speed and small craft throughout the design lifecycle — concept through detailed design for production.
• Independently develop technical specifications, analysis reports, and calculations, and create designs that meet client and regulatory requirements (ABS, RINA, IEEE, ABYC, NEMA, LR, ISO, USCG).  Primary focus is to develop low voltage AC/DC marine power distribution designs. 

• Define electrical system architecture to meet client and mission requirements
• Develop one-line power system diagrams
• Prepare Electric Plant Load Analyses (EPLA)
• Perform voltage drop and cable ampacity calculations
• Specify cable sizes
• Specify switchboard requirements
• Select commercially available motors, controllers, and distribution hardware

• Mentor junior staff.
• Perform quality-control reviews of calculations and drawings prepared by peers.
• Communicate technical attributes to marine designers for CAD 3D models and production drawings.
• Prepare status updates, technical reports, high-level briefings, proposals, specifications, and cost estimates in response to client requests.

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Eligible for Secret DoD security clearance
• B.S. Degree or higher in Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field and 8+ years relevant experience.
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering principles and practices, with deep expertise relevant to small craft and high-speed vessels
• Knowledge of marine electrical engineering, including ability to prepare electric plant load analysis (EPLA), cable schedule, one-line diagram, and electrical bill of material
• Strong familiarity with regulatory requirements (ABS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC)
• Experience developing calculations and drawings for Class and Flag review and approval
• Strong time management and organization skills as an independent contributor
• Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems using first principles hand calculations
• Proficiency in using industry-standard CAD software, including AutoCAD and Rhino
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

Preferred Qualifications:

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

5+ years of marine engineering design experience

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:

Pay Range:

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.