Full-Time
Naval Architect
Novel Hull Form & Structures
Posted on 10/31/2025
Fleetzero
11-50 employees
Electric cargo ships with autonomous operation
Compensation Overview
$120k - $145k/yr
Houston, TX, USA
In Person
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance, UK Citizenship Required
 Mechanical Engineering (1) |
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- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Licensure: Professional Engineering (PE) license preferred; candidates eligible for licensure may be considered.
- Experience: At least 5 years in naval architecture or maritime design, with consulting experience preferred. Shipyard or operational shipboard experience is a plus.
- Technical Expertise: Mastery of hull design, hydrodynamics, stability, and propulsion systems, with a focus on energy efficiency and performance optimization. Proficiency in AutoCAD, Rhino3D, or equivalent CAD tools; GHS; Python; and engineering software. Skilled in Microsoft Office and project data management tools.
- Project Management: Proven ability to lead complex projects, managing budgets, schedules, and teams while handling multiple initiatives under pressure.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to independently apply cutting-edge standards and techniques to solve challenges in naval architecture and related fields (e.g., marine engineering, vessel systems).
- Leadership: Track record of mentoring engineers, building high-performing teams, and driving a culture of innovation and excellence. Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills, with proficiency in tools for coordinating with teams across locations (in-person and remote).
- Regulatory Knowledge: Expertise in maritime regulations, submittal processes, and vessel certification, balanced with a drive to innovate.
- Innovation: Passion for pushing the boundaries of naval architecture with groundbreaking design methods and technologies.
- Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (ITAR-regulated projects).
- Travel: Valid driver’s license required for certain assignments; willingness to perform fieldwork (e.g., ship checks).
- Location: Full-time on-site at our Houston, TX facility.
- Lead the design and optimization of vessel hulls, propulsion systems, and layouts for maximum energy efficiency, stability, and high-performance operation.
- Oversee high-stakes projects from concept to delivery, driving proposals, budgets, client engagement, and cross-functional teams to deliver groundbreaking results.
- Navigate complex maritime regulations, ensuring compliance through submittals, ship checks, and stability assessments while pushing innovative boundaries.
- Integrate advanced technologies (e.g., hybrid propulsion, energy storage, and automation) into vessel designs that set new industry standards.
- Spearhead advancements in naval architecture, embracing revolutionary design methods and emerging technologies.
- Manage multiple high-impact projects, overcoming technical hurdles to deliver vessels that lead the maritime frontier.
- Master’s degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or related field (preferred).
- Professional Engineering license (PE) preferred; candidates eligible for licensure may be considered.
- At least 5 years in naval architecture or maritime design, with consulting experience preferred.
- Shipyard or operational shipboard experience is a plus.
Fleetzero builds a fleet of electric cargo ships powered by a proprietary Marine Battery System to move goods in a cleaner way. They focus on smaller vessels built in domestic shipyards and designed to operate in regulated markets, enabling access to ports larger ships miss. The ships can operate autonomously, reducing crew and maintenance costs while allowing rapid battery upgrades as tech improves. The goal is to provide affordable, low-emission shipping without a green premium, transforming logistics toward sustainable, closer-to-market delivery.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
Series A
Total Funding
$59.6M
Headquarters
null
Founded
2021
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- $43M Series A from Obvious Ventures funds Houston facility to 3 GWh.
- Glosten partnership designs world's longest-range hybrid vessel.
- Tested on Pacific Joule, deployed globally on commercial ships.
What critics are saying
- Maersk Growth investment enables in-house propulsion in 12-24 months.
- LFP battery prices spike 30-50% erodes no-green-premium in 6-18 months.
- Wärtsilä undercuts pricing with superior supply chains in 12-24 months.
What makes Fleetzero unique
- Leviathan propulsion delivers 3.8 MWh in 25% container footprint.
- Battery swapping enables Pacific crossings with standard port gear.
- Modular hulls built economically in domestic US shipyards.
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Benefits
Company Equity
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 15%1 year growth
↓ -7%2 year growth
↓ -5%Fleetzero, a marine technology company building hybrid and electric propulsion systems for ships, has raised $43 million in Series A funding led by Obvious Ventures. Maersk Growth and 8090 Industries joined as new investors, alongside existing backers including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Y Combinator. The Houston-based startup will use the capital to expand manufacturing of its Leviathan propulsion system, which can be retrofitted onto existing vessels or installed in new ships. The company has opened a new manufacturing and R&D facility with initial capacity of 300 MWh per year, planning to scale to three GWh annually over five years. Fleetzero's system aims to reduce total ownership costs through maintenance and fuel savings whilst enabling marine autonomy. The company positions electrification as an opportunity to revitalise US shipbuilding.
Fleetzero, a developer and manufacturer of modular propulsion platforms for hybrid and electric ships, has selected Glosten, a Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm, to design what is expected to be the world's longest-range hybrid electric vessel.
Cost-effectively decarbonizing the shipping industry
Fleetzero is working to develop marine battery systems that offer higher density, low cost, and a high level of safety.
Birmingham, AL – According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Fleetzero is raising $16,463,983.00 in new funding. Sources indicate as part of senior management President and Chief Executive Officer, Steven Henderson played a key role in securing the recent investment and it will aid in aggressively expanding the company, as well as broaden and accelerate product development. About Fleetzero