The Role

The Directorate of Navy Engineering Principal Naval Hull Inspector (PNHI) provides assurance of the structural and watertight integrity of RAN surface vessels across their life cycle, from construction, through operations, sustainment, and disposal.

The role contributes to certification, assurance, defect management, and technical advice to maintain an assured structural baseline in accordance with Navy engineering policy. The PNHI is required to have experience in ship construction and maintenance; such as welding or weld inspection, hull inspection or survey, boiler making etc.

This experience is utilised to determine the most appropriate hull repair plan for structural defects, considering the impact to structural and watertight integrity, and operational requirements.

About our Team

The Directorate of Navy Engineering (DNE) provides specialist technical and engineering knowledge, products and services to support the current and future operational needs of the Royal Australian Navy.

In DNE you will work alongside engineers, naval architects, technical specialists and uniformed RAN members to provide objective technical advice throughout all stages of the capability lifecycle.

The PNHI is a key role within the ship structures cell. The Ship Structures Cell is responsible for providing expert advice in areas of structural strength, boundary integrity and durability.

Key areas of work include:

• Hull design, construction, test and upkeep policy and plans development.
• Hull inspection.
• Surface ship structural analysis.
• Coatings and paints (including antifouling systems).
• Corrosion (including cathodic protection).
• Hazardous materials.
• Materials properties including fire properties.
• Welding and allied processes.

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced naval or maritime structural professional with deep technical expertise in steel or aluminium ship construction, sustainment, and repair. They bring hands-on experience in structural welding, weld inspection, hull inspection/surveying, and defect identification, supported by strong knowledge of degradation mechanisms and their causes such as corrosion, fracture, and deformation.

They are skilled in assessing structural and watertight integrity, interpreting welding procedures, NDT methods, and repair standards, and understanding docking and slipping activities. The role requires strong analytical capability to evaluate defect trends, assess structural baselines, and provide certification and assurance advice across vessel life cycles.

Key attributes include sound engineering judgement, attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to provide objective technical advice. Experience in technical reporting, and training or mentoring is highly valued.

Application Closing Date: Monday 25 May 2026

For further information please review the job information pack, reference NAVY/02097/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=DB6C8C68-9E66-A857-9D86-ECED92C7720B