Opportunities at Haslar

Haslar is the home of hydrodynamics and it is in our workshops, Ocean Basin and Towing Tank that our teams offer a unique range of knowledge and expertise in the development of ships and submarines both for the Ministry of Defence and commercial organisations.
There are also laboratories for gas analysis, fire testing and work on atmosphere control, in addition to hyperbaric facilities for testing of life support respiratory equipment (e.g. diving sets), plus submarine escape systems. We also provide the Ministry of Defence with extensive support and advice on all issues relating to diving and submarine escape.

Our location by the side of Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent (one of the busiest stretches of water in the UK) provides endless opportunities for those interested in water sports or even taking a relaxing stroll by the sea after work.

We currently have the following opportunities:

Naval Architects and Mechanical Engineers
We're looking for people from graduate to experienced practitioner in the fields of naval architecture, marine/mechanical or aeronautical engineering. Your role will involve providing technical expertise in a customer-facing, delivery-focused environment as well as assisting with the preparation of bids on a regular basis.
You'll need a broad knowledge of the maritime industry, ranging from military vessels, through commercial shipping to the offshore industry with an appreciation of the design objectives, regulatory regimes and economic drivers that are applicable. Your technical skills should include a broad understanding of areas such as computational fluid dynamics, model testing, full scale trials and numerical performance prediction techniques. Experience of commercial and offshore vessels, sea load determination, finite element analysis of vessel structure would be an advantage.

Head of Experimental Hydrodynamics
As well as solid experience in the conduct of model experiments in support of hydrodynamic test programmes, your background should also include an in-depth knowledge of all of the following areas: resistance, propulsion, sea-keeping, manoeuvring, propeller design and cavitation preferably at both model and full scale.
A degree-educated scientist or engineer, you should have a broad knowledge of experimental techniques and how they can be applied/improved to increase accuracy, efficiency and value for money. We'll also be looking for an impressive track record in delivering high quality experimental and technical output.

Instrumentation Engineer for facilities and models
For this role, you'll need a strong electrical/electronic engineering background and, ideally, a relevant degree. These will be combined with proven experience in the instrumentation field, as well as a familiarity with GPS systems, dc control, microprocessor systems and NATO SINS.
Strong interpersonal skills, motivation and vision are a must as you?ll be working alongside a small team of electronic engineers providing instrumentation support to the hydrodynamic test capability. Configuring test models, producing supporting documentation and instrumentation calibration will also be a key part of your role, as will enhancing the test capability.

Mechanical Engineers - Maritime Life Support
The Life Support System engineering team works principally in the domains of submarine escape and diving. Familiarity with submarines would be a real advantage, as will any interest and experience in diving. Your work will include submarine trials, both alongside and at sea and diving trials of various forms and you'll have the opportunity to extend professional interest into life sciences and human factors.
We're recruiting for two roles, both of which call for a solid experience in the practical application of mechanical engineering and for the more senior post we would wish you to be on the way to attaining Chartered Mechanical Engineer status.
Both roles will require a good grasp of systems engineering and fluid dynamics and, ideally, some experience of pressurised systems. The ability to produce high quality written reports, familiarity with systems engineering processes and methodologies and general awareness of systems modelling applications are also essential.

Chemist - Maritime Life Support
You will have a good degree in chemistry and have substantial post-graduate experience working in a research environment, ideally in the field of absorption and catalysis. Some experience of analytical organic chemistry would be an advantage. You will demonstrate a passionate interest in the science, have a thoroughly conscientious approach to the work and be meticulous in attention to detail when carrying out experiments and reporting results. You will be flexible in your approach to the work and be willing to apply your skills to whatever task is required.
The small but highly expert Submarine Atmospheres Control team works principally on behalf of the UK MOD providing a safety-critical capability to safeguard the health and wellbeing of submarine crews and operational effectiveness of submarines.

Propulsor Engineer
We?re looking for mathematicians, engineers or physicists who are educated to degree level to work with our hydrodynamics teams on tasks relating to the design and assessment of ship and submarine propellers and propulsors. You'll be using and developing numerical tools supported by experimental facilities and will need in-depth knowledge of fluid dynamics when applied to ship and submarine propulsion. A thorough knowledge of propulsion systems and engineering is essential, along with a background in acoustic engineering and analytical mathematical modelling.

Senior Engineers
You should be a degree educated Chartered Marine or Electrical Engineer or hold a similar status through HNC/HND qualifications and relevant experience. Right now, you're probably operating in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy or in the marine industry ashore. Expertise in ships' systems will be essential, as will a sound grasp of ship support and the wider functions of MoD and commercial clients. We'll also be looking for a good understanding of the issues and technical challenges facing the maritime world now and in the future.

CNC Programmer/Operator
Based within our workshops and hydrodynamic facilities, you'll be responsible for Quality Assurance and facility rigging, as well as creating CNC programmes using proprietary software (Delcam Duct5 / Powermill). Maintaining workshop and facility equipment and rigging of equipment and models will also fall within your remit and you'll also have the opportunity to work at an overseas facility in Rouen, France.
A sound grasp of woodworking principles and practice and diving experience would be a big advantage but training can be provided if necessary.

Design Office Draughtsman
You'll be part of a small design team providing support to the hydrodynamic testing capability. We'll be looking for a background in constructive design and, ideally, some mechanical engineering knowledge and experience of using Autocad Mechanical, Mechanical Desktop or Inventor. You should also be well versed in composite manufacturing techniques, as you'll be required to progress clients' experimental requirements from concept to manufacturing drawings. This could involve the design and manufacture of both models and test rigs.
Able to work alone or as part of a team, you should be innovative and able to work under pressure to deliver projects to time quality and cost. Duties may require overseas travel and off site working in support of the UK MoD trials programmes.

GRP Craftsman/Boatbuilder
You'll be part of a small workshop team providing manufacturing support to a hydrodynamic testing capability involved in the manufacture of ship and submarine test models in wood, foam, GRP and other composites. Refurbishing existing models, hand crafting of small scale test items and repair work will also feature prominently in your role.
We're looking for a strong boat building or composites manufacturing background, as well as experience of using woodworking machinery and good interpersonal skills, motivation and vision.
Duties may require overseas travel and off site working in support of the UK MoD trials programmes.

Numerical Analyst
As well as a BSc Mathematics or similar qualification, we'll be looking for extensive knowledge of the theoretical and empirical techniques required for the prediction of the dynamics of marine vehicles, especially computational fluid dynamics. You should also be able to validate these techniques by comparison with experiment data and conduct research into developing multi-block methods for the prediction of turbulent flows around fully appended submerged bodies.
Considerable knowledge of the computer hardware and software associated with advanced supercomputing and graphical visualisation techniques required by CFD is essential. You will also need experience in FORTRAN and C programming, with additional expertise in graphics programming techniques and languages, as well as a sound grasp of systems including Unix, Unicos, Primos and VAX/VMS.

Production Manager
Reporting directly to the Head of Hydrodynamics, you'll be responsible for co-ordinating the small production/manufacturing team who support the hydrodynamic facility maintenance and experiment programmes - both at Haslar and at Rouen. This will include allocating work and co-ordinating the output from the design/drawing office, model and test rig manufacture (using GRP, woodwork and metalwork), instrumentation and photographic work.
Experience in working in a production environment is essential together with good people management skills. Ideally, you'll also have experience of wood and GRP manufacturing techniques and be familiar with relevant new processes.
This is an important role key to the delivery of experimental capability as part of the wider scientific remit of the team as a whole.

Scientist - Maritime Life Support
We are recruiting for two roles, both requiring graduates with good practical experience and, for the more senior post, we are seeking an Honours graduate who is working, or willing to work, towards Chartered status in his or her field.
Whichever role you join us in, you are likely to be a physicist with an interest in life sciences or biology, or a life scientist with an interest in modelling and a good grasp of scientific methods, analysis and problem solving. Experience in software, modelling, analysis and associated IT would also be useful.
The Life Support team works principally in the domains of submarine escape and diving, so familiarity with maritime operations would be an advantage. Your role will involve providing advice on submarine escape and rescue, safety and performance issues related to submarine escape and diving equipment. It may also include submarine trials, both alongside and at sea, and various forms of diving trials. You'll also have the opportunity to extend professional interest into the areas of life sciences and human factors.

Software Engineer
Working within the hydrodynamics and propulsion team, you'll design and write software programmes for use in connection with surface ship and submarine design and support.
You'll need a computer science degree or proven experience using software applications, along with an understanding of physics or mathematics. Experience of software that can interact with other software and the ability to write software programmes which will allow manipulation of data at each stage for another application or display for end user is also essential.

To apply for any of these positions follow the link below, search all permanent vacancies and post your details against vacancy reference 14553.