Senior Composite Structural Engineer

At Vessev, we’re defining a new category of marine transport: hydrofoiling electric vessels that are genuinely better for people and the planet. Our boats fly above the water using advanced hydrofoils, control systems, and electric propulsion, all designed and built here in Aotearoa.

We’re now scaling our team and are looking for a Senior Composite Structural Engineer to take a lead role in delivering high-performance composite structures that bring our designs to life.

If you love solving hard engineering problems, care deeply about build quality, and want to see your work take shape in real time, this is a rare opportunity to do exactly that.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll sit within the Vessel Design team and work side by side with naval architects, engineers, and build teams to design and deliver composite structures that meet performance, manufacturability, and durability goals. Our design and production teams operate under one roof, which means you can literally see your work take shape every day.

This is a technically demanding, hands-on role with real scope to shape how we design and build our vessels. You’ll need to think strategically about how composite decisions impact performance, layout, systems, and manufacturability, working closely with others to bring the right solution to life.

Composite design and analysis

• Lead structural composite design across our vessel range (currently 9–20m).
• Perform first-principles and FEA-based analysis to validate composite structures against load cases and safety factors.
• Create laminate plans and integrate composite structures with broader vessel design constraints.
• Work within applicable composite and marine rules and design codes.
• Optimise for strength, weight, stiffness, durability, and cost.

Tooling, fabrication, and integration

• Collaborate with the in-house build team to ensure designs are practical and efficient to manufacture.
• Oversee tooling, process specs, and part integration across mechanical, electrical, and outfitting needs.
• Contribute to materials selection and fabrication process development for both prototype and production-scale vessels.

Continuous improvement and innovation

• Identify and implement new methods, technologies, or tools to improve design and production efficiency.
• Develop scripts or automations to speed up workflows in CAD, FEA, or analysis.
• Help shape how Vessev scales composite production and quality over time.

About you

You don’t need to be a marine expert, but you do need to be experienced in composite structural design and analysis. Your background might be in aerospace, motorsport, defence, or high-performance marine, but what matters most is your ability to apply that experience in a practical, collaborative environment.

You bring clarity, ownership, and deep technical skill, and also curious, adaptable, and open to better ways of doing things.

We’re looking for someone with

• 5+ years of experience in composite design and structural analysis.
• Skilled in FEA (ideally Altair Hyperworks) and first-principles analysis.
• Proficient in 2D & 3D CAD (Rhino, SolidWorks, or Onshape preferred).
• Strong understanding of laminate design, materials, and failure modes.
• Experience working closely with build teams and understanding manufacturing constraints.

Bonus skills and experience

• Background in high-performance marine, aerospace, motorsport or defence.
• Experience with tooling and part integration across systems.
• Exposure to material testing or qualification processes.

About us

We’re here to set a better world in motion – cleaner air, better commutes, and deeper connections with nature and each other. Our hydrofoiling electric vessels use up to 90% less energy than traditional boats, unlocking entirely new opportunities.

We’re backed by top-tier investors including Blackbird Ventures, and our team includes talent from the America’s Cup, Rocketlab, Halter, Apple, and leading climate startups. But titles don’t matter. What matters is how we show up: with purpose, humility, and a restless optimism for what’s possible.

We’re office-first but not office-only. We believe in building together, in person, where the real magic happens. That said, we trust our team to do what’s right and we know life isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Why our people love Vessev

• We’re building something different – from how we move on the water to the kind of team and workplace we’re creating.
• The chance to work on technology that can drive real, lasting impact in the world.
• A team of exceptional and collaborative humans.
• 20 weeks fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers, and 4 weeks for secondary (conditions apply).
• Competitive salaries that reflect the value of the work.
• Being on the water is part of our job – from trips on our vessels to our offices that border the Tamaki River.
• And if the water’s where you want to be, you’ll be in good company. You’ll find no shortage of boaters, beach goers, sailors, foilers, surfers, and kiteboarders here.

Apply now

To apply, please send us your CV and a short cover letter that gives us a sense of who you are and why this role feels like the right fit.

Research shows that women and other under-represented groups often only apply when they meet every requirement, even though they could be an excellent fit. If you see yourself doing great work here but don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re building a team where everyone has the chance to do their best work.