Skip to main content
Austal USA logo

Structural Designer III

Austal USA

Mobile, ALJobSeen 2 days agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago

See where you stand before you apply. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the posting's application page, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Mobile, AL
Work Authorization
Citizenship required

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Job overview

The Structural Designer III develops 2D and 3D drawings and checks work created by CAD Drafters and Designer I-II. The role works with production management and internal and external design teams, including business partners, customers, and equipment manufacturers. It may lead and train junior design staff and review drawings for technical adequacy and customer requirements. Austal USA designs and constructs naval vessels.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

3D Modeling, requiredShipyard Design, requiredProduction and Construction, requiredWritten Communication, requiredOral Communication, requiredScheduling, requiredDeadline Adherence, requiredMicrosoft Office, requiredTeam Interaction, requiredAutoCAD, required2D and 3D Drawing, requiredBasic Draw and Modify Commands, requiredLayer Types, requiredLine Types, requiredDimensions, requiredUnits of Measure, requiredOrthographic Views, required3D Modeling Commands, requiredXREF, requiredInterference-Free Modeling, requiredShipConstructor, nice to haveVessel Design, requiredSystem Schematics, requiredStructural Key Plans, requiredCompartment Arrangements, requiredElectrical Diagrams, requiredNavisworks, required

Qualifications

High School Diploma or Equivalent, requiredAssociate's Degree or Higher in CAD, nice to have4 Years 3D Modeling Experience, required5+ Years Shipyard Design or Production/Construction Experience or Equivalent, requiredHigh-Speed Aluminum Vessel Construction, nice to haveModular Construction Methods, nice to haveUS Navy Vessel Design and Construction, nice to haveUS Person Status, requiredNo Recent Theft/Deception or Violent Felony Convictions, requiredNo Recent Drug Felony Convictions, requiredDrug Screen, requiredBackground Check, required

Full job description

Austal USA is recognized for its advancements in naval ship design and construction, presenting distinctive opportunities for team members to participate in influential initiatives shaping the maritime sector now and in the future. With a heritage rooted in innovation, Austal USA has been instrumental in propelling naval technology forward through sophisticated design, engineering, and delivery of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) to the recently awarded Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), and the T-AGOS ocean surveillance vessels. What sets Austal USA apart is our commitment to innovation and our dedication to building the best ships for the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. We actively cultivate a culture fueled by intellectual curiosity and diverse perspectives, where every team member is integral to delivering cutting-edge solutions.

REPORTS TO: Lead Designer

SUPERVISES: CAD Drafters, Designer I-II

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for 2D and 3D drawing development.

  • Checking drawings created by CAD Drafters and Designer I-II

  • Works with Production Management, cross-functional design teams internal and external to the company, including business partner representatives, customer representatives and equipment manufacturers.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent required.

  • Associates Degree or higher in CAD preferred.

  • 4 years minimum of 3D modeling experience

  • 5 to 10 years of shipyard design or production/construction experience or equivalent experience.

  • Experience in construction of high speed aluminum vessels preferred

  • Experience with modular construction methods preferred

  • Experience in design and construction of US Navy vessels preferred

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

  • Understanding of scheduling and an ability to adhere to strict deadlines.

  • Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office products.

  • Experienced in interacting with multiple design teams and members of production.

  • Experience using 2D and 3D AutoCAD

  • Basic draw and modify commands

  • Layer types

  • Line types

  • Dimensions

  • Unit of measure

  • Creating orthographic views from isometric drawings

  • 3D modeling commands

  • Creating 3D models from orthographic views or vendor furnished information

  • Able to interface with models from other disciplines using the XREF command

  • Able to model in 3D model space without interferences

  • Experience with ShipConstructor preferred.

  • Possess a thorough understanding of vessel design in two or more of following areas:

  • Equipment

  • Electrical

  • Fitout

  • Foundations

  • Hull

  • HVAC

  • Material

  • Pipe

  • Product Hierarchy

  • Structure

  • Able to interpret system schematics, structural key plans, compartment arrangements, and electrical diagrams to create 3D CAD models.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be eligible for employment with Austal USA:

  • Able to provide proof of US Person Status

  • No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date

  • No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date

  • Willing to submit to a drug screen

  • Willing to submit to a background check

TOOLS: Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, ShipConstructor, Navisworks

DIRECTION EXERCISED:

  • May lead the work of CAD Drafters and Designer I-II

  • May review technical adequacy of drawings and provide direction as to corrections or adjustments to meet customer requirements.

  • May train CAD Drafters and Designers I-III according to established standards and procedures.

DISCRETION EXERCISED:

  • May provide input to evaluations of CAD Drafters and Designer I-II

LIAISES WITH:

  • CAD Drafters, Designers, Engineers, Production Personnel, Program Management, and Equipment Suppliers

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.

How this job compares

Set against the 424 open CAD Designer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$80–125K/yr117 salary ranges
  • US median$35–45/hr104 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 27 open CAD Designer jobs in Alabama and 424 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Alabama
Experience
This posting asks for at least 4 years of experience; CAD Designer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (333 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a high school diploma; 181 of the 424 open CAD Designer jobs (43%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.