Student Opportunities
Our Story
Robert Allan Ltd. is Canada’s oldest privately owned consulting Naval Architectural firm, where engineering meets the open sea and is proudly established in Vancouver, BC.
For nearly a century, we’ve been designing vessels of almost every kind – from small fishing boats to ocean-going ferries. We’re best known for our expertise in tug and barge transportation, ship assist, and escort tugs, fast patrol craft, fireboats, and shallow-draft vessels.
We provide professional marine consulting and design services to clients all over the world, turning bold ideas into a seaworthy reality. If you love tackling engineering challenges and want your work to make waves (literally!), come aboard and help shape the future of vessel design!
Investing In the Next Generation of Talent
Ahoy, future ship-shapers!
Here at Robert Allan, we’re passionate about bringing on Canada’s top students of Naval Architecture and Mechanical/Marine Engineering and creating meaningful learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Did we mention, the in-depth exposure of designing real ships?
We are committed to fostering student growth through our rotating work-term opportunities and, on occasion, extending opportunities to promising students from overseas.
Our high-performance culture emphasizes mentorship, accountability, and continuous learning, giving students the opportunity to build real-world skills while making waves. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside driven professionals, gain practical skills, and contribute to seaworthy projects.
What You’ll Do | What to Expect
- Work in Canada’s most active consulting ship design office environment, on a variety of real and diverse design projects for a worldwide client base.
- Students actively participate as members of a project design team and are expected to undertake design and engineering tasks commensurate with their skill levels.
- While deadlines are assigned and expected to be met, we recognize this is a learning experience and provide full guidance and mentoring.
- Typical design projects include harbour and coastal working craft of all types – tugboats, escort tugs, fireboats, offshore support vessels, research vessels, ferries, crew boats, barges and patrol craft.
- Students may also contribute to consulting studies we perform, such as evaluating the merits of different ship types for a new transportation route.
Who You Are
The successful candidate for a work-term position is:
- Highly motivated with a clear objective to pursue a career in the marine field.
- Demonstrates strong academic performance.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in 2D and 3D design tools (BricsCAD, AutoCAD, Rhino, etc.) with a solid working knowledge and practical skill level.
- Familiarity with lines fairing and stability software is an asset.
- Prior experience in ship design, shipbuilding, or vessel operations.
Application Process
Now that we have your interest – let’s walk you through the application process. It’s important you apply within the set dates established by your university.
- Send your application to apply@ral.ca with the following subject line:
- Interest in Co-op Opportunity | Your Full Name
- Attach the following to the email:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Latest Transcript
We prioritize students who are enrolled in a co-op education program in Canada and have completed at least two years of a four-year undergraduate degree program, and who aspire to a career in the marine industry.
Pursuing a Career in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering
Robert Allan Ltd. actively encourages interested students in the pursuit of a career in ship design or construction. It is however not a subject taught widely in Canada and we are frequently asked for advice with regard to the institutions and choices available for post-secondary education. Listed below are the universities and colleges with which we are most familiar. Please note that the information given here is by no means a complete list of the options available to Canadian students. There are also many fine undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is the students’ obligation to ensure that the program of study chosen meets the requirements for registration in the Professional Association in the area where the student would ultimately wish to practice. In British Columbia this would be the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC. For more information please visit www.egbc.ca.
Undergraduate Degree in Naval Architecture – Canada
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Naval Architecture Option
University of British Columbia
Undergraduate Diploma in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering
Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Marine Technology
Quebec Maritime Institute (Institut Maritime du Quebec) Rimouski, Quebec
Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering
As a prerequisite to Graduate Studies in Naval Architecture
University of British Columbia
Undergraduate Degree in Naval Architecture – USA & UK
The following are universities with acknowledged excellent courses in naval architecture and marine engineering. For a more comprehensive listing of US universities and colleges offering courses in these subjects, the reader is referred to the SNAME website.
USA:
UK:
University of Southampton (Ship Science)