Infrastructure Architect jobs in Bristol

ASC is Australia’s submarine company. We built the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines, sustain them, and are now delivering their Life of Type Extension to increase the boats’ service lives. We have also been selected by the Australian Government to sustain and jointly build the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines – the largest and most complex industrial undertaking in Australia’s history.

Imagine building the next chapter of your career somewhere extraordinary. This is more than a job opportunity; it's the chance to make a genuine sea change. Relocate to Australia and enjoy a lifestyle defined by sunshine, coastline, space, and balance, while continuing to work on some of the world's most complex submarine engineering challenges. At ASC, you'll join a team at the heart of the nation's defence capability. Here, you'll do career-defining work, contribute to something bigger than yourself, and build a future for both your profession and your family

About the Opportunity

This isn’t a standard Naval Architecture role. As Principal Naval Architect, you will provide technical leadership for the sustainment of the Collins Class submarine fleet, supporting maintenance activities, in-service operations, and technically complex engineering decisions across the life of platform.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior technical role with real breadth, one that combines whole-of-submarine thinking, multidisciplinary engineering leadership, and direct contribution to one of the world’s most distinctive submarine sustainment environments. For experienced professionals in the UK defence or maritime sector, it offers the chance to apply deep Naval Architecture expertise in a setting where your judgement, leadership and technical standards will genuinely shape outcomes.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, this role also offers the opportunity to make a long-term international move while continuing to work on highly complex, high-consequence submarine engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the sustainment of the Collins Class submarines during maintenance activities and in-service periods.
• Oversee multidisciplinary design projects and feasibility studies, with a focus on whole-of-submarine functional requirements.
• Lead the development and mentoring of engineers and technical specialists within the team.
• Review, approve and continuously improve engineering documentation, including docking calculations, stability calculations, range and energy calculations, structural calculations, trim polygon analyses and engineering reports.
• Develop work scope and technical risk assessments for in-service defects, trials and reliability issues, drawing on sound engineering fundamentals and an understanding of the Defence Seaworthiness Management System.
• Provide subject matter expertise across areas such as submarine design, trim and stability, shock and vibration, hydrostatics, dockings, shipyard infrastructure and structural engineering.
• Support technically sound, risk-informed engineering decisions in a highly regulated, operationally critical environment.

About you

To be successful, you will bring a combination of technical credibility, leadership capability, and experience working in complex maritime or defence engineering environments.

You will ideally have:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture or a related discipline.
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technical personnel.
• Experience with naval design, maintenance and/or operation of maritime systems.
• Experience conducting Naval Architecture analysis within submarine, shipbuilding, heavy engineering, or defence industry environments.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Defence Seaworthiness Management System (DSWMS), including its application to Engineering Delegations and Risk Levels.
• Knowledge of submarine operations and/or the shipbuilding engineering environment.
• Experience providing technical repair instructions and/or overseeing engineering work in execution.
• Strong judgement, technical rigour and the ability to balance engineering integrity, operational needs and risk.

Experience gained in complex naval, shipyard, or submarine support environments will be highly valued. We are particularly interested in professionals who enjoy applying first-principles engineering in real-world sustainment settings and who can lead confidently across both detail and system-level considerations.

Eligibility

This role requires a current International Police Clearance and a Defence Security Clearance. Your ongoing eligibility for the role is dependent on obtaining and maintaining the required clearance. To support work on these programs, successful candidates will also need to be willing to work toward Australian citizenship over time.

ASC recognises that international relocation is a significant decision. Clear guidance and support will be provided around relocation, visa pathways, citizenship requirements, and security processes. Support for partners and families is also available where applicable.

Whilst ASC will accept all applications for this role, as this role requires an ability to access protected US defence technology, applicants holding nationality of certain foreign countries will not be eligible.

Benefits

• Unique and challenging work with a deeper purpose.
• Flexibility over how, when and where you work for the best work/life balance.
• Up to 10 days additional leave every year so you can rest and recharge.
• Generous parental leave so you can give your family the focus it deserves.
• Subsidised childcare to ease the financial pressure on your family.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives so you can perform at your best at work.
• Professional development opportunities to advance your career.
• A diverse and supportive environment where you can thrive.
• Discounts and exclusive offers from leading Australian brands to help you save.

Adelaide, South Australia (SA), combines cosmopolitan living with natural beauty, featuring picturesque hills, renowned wineries, and stunning coastlines. As a centre for innovation, SA offers careers in defence, space and advanced manufacturing. Celebrated for its Mediterranean climate and cultural richness, Adelaide provides excellent work-life balance. Explore world-class wineries, enjoy the vibrant food scene, and experience affordable, family-friendly living in a welcoming, community-oriented city.

About ASC

Established in 1985, ASC’s 2500-plus staff offer a depth of submarine design, project management, supply chain, construction and engineering experience and expertise that is unparalleled in Australia’s defence industry. The company’s work on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine build and the Collins Class Life of Type Extension takes place in Osborne, South Australia, with sustainment shared across Osborne and Henderson, Western Australia. ASC also plays a leading role in training Royal Australian Navy submariners.

Apply today for a career with a deeper purpose.

Pay: £85,000.00-£110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Childcare
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Relocation assistance
• Sick pay
• UK visa sponsorship

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Work Location: In person