Sales & Design Manager - Salt Ship Design

Salt Ship Design is an independent ship design company delivering innovative and robust vessel designs to clients worldwide. With our newly established office in Bergen, we are expanding our segment portfolio with ferries, passenger vessels, merchant vessels and further strengthening our competence within navy vessels and green shipping.

To strengthen our commercial and technical presence in the merchant segment, we are seeking a Design Manager with special consideration for merchant vessels.

About the role

As Sales & Design Manager, you will be responsible for developing and managing client relationships within the merchant market while leading concept and proposal-level design activities. The role combines market insight, technical credibility, and project ownership, acting as a key interface between clients, shipyards, and Salt’s internal design teams.

You will play a central role in shaping competitive vessel concepts and converting opportunities into projects and the role provides a unique opportunity to operate in the interface between sales and concept development.

Key responsibilities

• Business development and sales activities within the merchant segments

• Development of vessel concepts and technical proposals

• Technical and commercial dialogue with shipowners, shipyards, and partners

• Preparation of tenders, design descriptions, and performance documentation

• Market monitoring and identification of new opportunities, including regulatory and technology-driven trends

• Early-stage design decision-making related to efficiency, compliance, and buildability

• Support contract negotiations and project handover to design teams

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Naval Architecture, Marine Technology, or equivalent

• Solid experience with merchant design and operation

• Strong understanding of commercial ship design drivers (CAPEX, OPEX, fuel efficiency, regulations)

• Proven ability to combine technical expertise with sales and client-facing work

• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English

Preferred experience

• Background from a design office, shipyard, shipowner, or classification society

• Established network within the merchant segment

• Experience with concept design tools and performance evaluations

• Familiarity with IMO regulations (EEDI/EEXI, CII, fuel transition requirements)

• Willingness to travel as part of sales and project activities

What we offer

• Beautiful modern office location in the centre of Bergen

• A key role in developing Salt’s merchant vessel portfolio

• High level of influence on both commercial strategy and technical solutions

• Part of a highly competent and multidisciplinary design team

• Competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements

• Opportunity to work on future-oriented vessel concepts and technologies