With a career in shipbuilding, you could play your part in the design, build, and support of some of the world’s most complex surface ships and submarines. Intrigued by the construction of highly capable and versatile ships and boats? See yourself becoming a master craftsperson? This could be just the career for you.
At BAE Systems, our maritime and submarines divisions make up the largest shipbuilding company in the UK. We’re also one of the biggest employers of shipbuilders in Europe, building some of the most advanced ever constructed.
In this article, we’ll explore the skills needed to take up a shipbuilder job and reveal why BAE Systems could be your ticket into this inspiring and rewarding career.
What is a shipbuilder?
Shipbuilders, also referred to as shipwrights, construct and assemble ships. From giant cruise liners to cutting edge naval submarines, the vessels they create travel the world’s oceans and seas.
It’s a profession that combines excellent technical skills, state of the art technology and a true understanding of what ocean-going crews need to survive and thrive in the water.
Does the UK have a shipbuilding industry?
The UK has a rich shipbuilding heritage. Historic shipyards such as the one at BAE Systems’ Glasgow site, have overseen ship construction for centuries.
Many of these traditional shipyards, which dot our island’s coastline, have adapted to the changing needs of customers like the Royal Navy.
Modern facilities have sprung up to produce larger, more powerful and technologically advanced vessels.
As a shipbuilder, you can contribute to the UK’s rich legacy and help shape the future of this noble and age-old profession.
What skills are needed to build a ship?
Shipbuilding is complex work. Constructing large ships requires the combined efforts and expertise of a number of different craftspeople. These include:
These trades must work closely with many other professions such as naval architects, marine engineers and safety advisors. Together they ensure that the completed vessel meets the requirements of the initial design.
Generally speaking, shipbuilders need to have strong technical skills, a great attention to detail and ability to work well in a large team.
Adaptability is also important. Just like in other industries, shipbuilding is a profession that is constantly evolving.
Shipbuilders therefore need to be willing to embrace new techniques and technology, as well as adapting to ever-changing safety regulations.
How do I become a shipbuilder?
For those with little or no experience, apprenticeships are often the best way to get started in a shipbuilding career.
At BAE Systems we offer apprenticeship programmes in many of the key specialisms, which are vital to ship and boat construction.
Not only do our apprentices get real world experience, a competitive salary and expert training from seasoned professionals; you also have the chance to contribute to world-first projects such as the construction of our next generation Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines.
Already have some experience and looking to turn your hand to shipbuilding? A great place to start is browsing our current shipbuilder jobs.
Is shipbuilding a good career?
Shipbuilding is a great career choice because it provides:
Job security – At BAE Systems our shipbuilders are in great demand and vital to many mission-critical projects for the Royal Navy. In 2023, we were awarded a £3.95 billion contract from the Ministry of Defence, to fund the next phase of our SSN-AUKUS submarine programme.
Impact and satisfaction – Shipbuilders make a huge contribution to global defence, trade and exploration. You’ll draw immense pride from seeing projects grow from a design into a real-life sea going vessel.
Global opportunities – Your specialist skills will be in high demand and will likely be transferable to a wide range of industries both here in the UK, or overseas. This could open the door, quite literally, to a world of opportunities.
Exposure to other professionals – A job in shipbuilding gives you the opportunity to work with a huge range of other trades and specialists. Working alongside experts also means you’ll be picking up skills and knowledge in many other related fields along the way.
How much do shipbuilders earn?
Salaries for shipbuilders can vary greatly, depending on the location, your experience and the nature of the role. A starting salary is likely to be in the region of £16,000 to £20,000 per year.
On average shipbuilders in the UK earn between £25,000 and £40,000 per year. This can increase, as you gain more experience and knowledge in your role and develop additional skills.
Why join BAE Systems as a shipbuilder?
At BAE Systems, our apprenticeships and shipbuilder jobs will allow you endless opportunities for personal growth. Plus the chance to contribute to ground-breaking innovations.
When you join us, you’ll work with highly-skilled shipbuilding experts on incredible world-first projects.
You could find yourself working on cutting-edge naval vessels, such as the Type 26 Royal Navy warships in Glasgow and Dreadnought-class nuclear submarines in Barrow-in-Furness. Or perhaps you’ll join our team in Portsmouth, assembling mission-critical components for our ships.
Together we’re pushing the limits of what is possible at sea and delivering projects that make a life-saving difference.
If you're a hands-on person and looking for a fulfilling career, then working as a valued member of our shipbuilding team could be the perfect role for you.
You’ll work on meaningful projects in an inclusive, supportive and collaborative environment where your contributions truly make a difference.
Learn more about BAE Systems
If you’re interested in our apprenticeship programmes, you may wish to read our 5 reasons to join article or take a look at our early careers page. We also have some inspiring stories for you to browse, from both apprentices and experienced professionals.