Engineering Supervisor - Structural Systems & Naval Architecture

BURGER BURGEES

Engineering Supervisor - Structural Systems & Naval Architecture

Department: Metals & Structures

Job Status: Accepting Applications

Location: Burger Boat Company - Manitowoc, WI

Job Details

POSITION SUMMARY

The Engineering Supervisor for Structural Systems & Naval Architecture will lead a team of Project and Process Engineers, as well as CAD Designers in the Metals & Structures Value Stream. This individual will coordinate all Engineering activities within the Metals & Structures Value Stream and ensure cohesion and consistency across other Value Streams. This involves evaluating all engineering work secured from outside firms (and its leadership) and the work product of Burger Engineers to be sure it meets the needs of all stakeholders, especially the Burger production team, within established budget and schedule parameters and with minimal re-work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leads, coaches, mentors, and motivates the Metals & Structures engineering team through all phases of vessel construction and re-fit projects, focusing on structural design, engineering, fabrication, welding, structural framing, and integration of structural systems essential to vessel integrity, certification, and performance.

Supervises and coordinates the deliverables of outside Naval Architecture, Structural Design, and Engineering partners that assist Burger in client development and project delivery. Ensuring performance accountability to established scope, timing, resource utilization, and budget for the client projects.

Collaborates extensively with the Engineering Systems, Standards, and Quality/CI teams to ensure appropriate standards are followed to minimize client project duration, while sustaining and evolving the high level of vessel quality and performance the company is known for.

Ensures engineering deliverables meet marine structural standards as well as applicable classification society and flag state requirements (e.g., ABS, Lloyd's, Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, USA), and Burger's craftsmanship expectations for custom yacht, commercial vessel, military vessel, and refit/repair builds.

Develops and manages detailed engineering schedules for naval architecture and structural engineering deliverables, coordinating key milestones such as hull shell plating, keel installation, bulkhead fit-up, and deck framing, to align with overall build timelines. Manages capacity planning for the engineering team of this Value Stream as well.

Oversees compliance with the Yacht Construction Specifications (YCS) and Yacht Construction Agreement (YCA), ensuring structural engineering and naval architecture align with owner specifications.

Tracks engineering completion status for all naval architecture and structural engineering packages, including 3D CAD modeling, nesting files for CNC cutting, and shop drawings for structural components used throughout the vessel.

Ensures effective cross functional engineering change management communication, coordination, and implementation when client, supplier, or internal change orders occur.

Maintains proactive collaboration with Supply Chain to ensure timely procurement of marine-grade metals, with Quality Assurance for weld inspections, NDT, and corrosion control, and with Manufacturing to coordinate hull fit-up, alignment, and structural outfitting.

Facilitates early engagement with cross-functional departments to identify and resolve potential bottlenecks in hull construction, deck framing, and structural outfitting workflows.

Acts as the primary liaison between Metals & Structures engineering and production teams, translating design intent into manufacturable components and supporting real-time problem-solving during hull assembly and structural integration.

Supports production teams during critical boat-building phases such as hull turnover, superstructure mating, and structural outfitting, ensuring engineering solutions are practical and production-ready.

Establishes procedures for vetting and managing subcontractors involved in naval architecture, structural analysis, CNC cutting, and specialized marine metal forming, ensuring compliance with marine standards and Burger's quality benchmarks.

Reviews technical proposals, initiates purchase order documentation for naval architecture and structural services and materials, and monitors subcontractor performance to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables for hull and deck structures.

Leads research into advanced marine structural materials such as hybrid composites, high-strength aluminum alloys, and corrosion-resistant steels, as well as fabrication techniques like robotic welding and modular hull construction.

Archives lessons learned from past yacht builds and structural re-fits, updating Burger's Knowledge Base with best practices, failure analyses, and design improvements specific to Metals & Structures in boat manufacturing.

Oversee the evaluation, selection, and implementation of equipment upgrades and automation technologiesincluding CNC machinery, robotic welding systems, and digital fabrication toolsto improve efficiency, precision, and throughput in structural metalwork and hull construction.

Oversees sea trial data collection, inclining experiments, creation of Stability Booklets, Instructions to the Master, etc. as required by the YCA.

LEADERSHIP

Lead and mentor engineering functions and affected departments while encouraging continuous improvement for staff, departments, and organizations. Serve as a cultural leader by building trust, modeling Burger's values, and fostering an environment where people feel respected, supported, and inspired to contribute.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION

This position reports directly to the Value Stream Manager for Metals & Structures.

DECISION MAKING

Must continuously demonstrate excellent administrative judgment and assume responsibility for decisions and their consequences and results impacting the department's associates and quality of service within the department.

Trusted leader who fosters transparency, demonstrates integrity, and earns the confidence of their team through consistent, ethical decision-making utilizing data and input from team and/or subject-matter experts.

COMMUNICATION

Demonstrate ability to effectively lead meetings and write professional correspondence. Great verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen, talk, and teach. Demonstrate an all-pervasive positive attitude.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering and/or Naval Architecture.

Approximately 10 years of relevant process or project experience AND approximately 5 of those years in a leadership role.

Must demonstrate proficiency with the MS Office platform, CAD/AutoDesk and project management software, and be comfortable with ShipConstructor, GHS, Inventor and Rhino software.

Must demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, budgeting, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Training in Lean Manufacturing, prior experience in the Yacht sector of the marine industry, familiarity with Class/Flag rules, and project management experience are all preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering and/or Naval Architecture.

Approximately 10 years of relevant process or project experience AND approximately 5 of those years in a leadership role.

Must demonstrate proficiency with the MS Office platform, CAD/AutoDesk and project management software, and be comfortable with ShipConstructor, GHS, Inventor and Rhino software.

Must demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, budgeting, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Training in Lean Manufacturing, prior experience in the Yacht sector of the marine industry, familiarity with Class/Flag rules, and project management experience are all preferred.

GENERAL STATEMENT

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.