Please meet and get to know one of our outstanding members - Jeremie Ndala.
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Name: Jeremie Ndala
Title: Marine Designer
Company: Concept Naval
I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At an early age, I was interested in transportation means especially, aircraft. I had a deep desire to become one day an aircraft Designer. I went to technical high school, where I graduated in General Mechanics. I passed the national exams with “high distinction” and was ranked 1st in the country for General Mechanics.
The Hellenic government granted me a scholarship to pursue electrical engineering studies in Greece. While my primary interest was Mechanical Engineering, course spaces were limited and I was therefore offered a transfer to either Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering or Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). It was the first time in my life I’d heard about the field of Naval Architecture. I was curious to learn more and discovered it to be similar in some aspects to Aerospace Engineering. I therefore chose Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering and after five (5) years of studies, I graduated in 2012 from the NTUA with honors. In January 2013, I emigrated to Canada for studies at Ecole de Technologie Supérieure (ETS), where I attended a graduate certificate in Mechanical Engineering. In June 2015, I graduated from ETS.
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In May 2014, I worked as a research assistant at the LARCASE (Laboratory of Research in Aero-Servoelasticity). My mandate was the structural optimization and validation of the UAV-S4 morphing wing.
In January 2017, I started a Naval Architect position at Hikemetal Products in Wheatly, Ontario. My responsibilities were to supervise the construction of the SAR Bay Class vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). I conducted trials to ensure that ships met all the operational requirements and performance standards as stated in the construction specification in addition to tests required by the classification society, Transport CanadaMarine Safety, or by regulation, including the international code of safety for High-speed Craft.
In July 2019, I moved to my current job as a Naval Architect for Concept Naval. My responsibilities are to participate in the design and modification of vessels. I perform structural design and analyses as per regulations and class rules and with FEA programs. Also, I conduct inclining experiments and surveys as well as producing stability booklets and reports.
My career goal is to enhance knowledge and innovate in the maritime discipline. I hope to participate in new technology development in areas such as renewable energies and their application in the marine field. Examples include enhancement of the efficiency of batteries, floating wind turbines and structural optimization methods.
Q: How long have you been a member of SNAME?
A: I have been a member of SNAME since 2011 when I was a student at the NTUA.
Q: How has SNAME membership been of value to you in your career?
A: During the last year of my studies at the NTUA, I used materials and papers from SNAME to write my thesis. It was easy for me to find these materials as a member of SNAME.
Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue a job in the maritime field?
A: It was in 2007 July. I applied for a transfer from electrical engineering to mechanical engineering but could not find a spot. The person in charge of the scholarship programs proposed a choice between civil engineering and naval architecture, where places were available. It was the first time for me to hear about naval architecture and marine engineering. I did some digging and found it very interesting. Finally, I decided to pursue studies to work in the maritime field.
Q: What advice would you give to those entering the maritime field?
A: The maritime field is broad. There are tremendous opportunities and challenges such as climate change and sustainability. You'd have the occasion to participate in the design of environment-friendly Ships from civil to military ships. You'd also have the opportunity to enhance knowledge and innovate by developing new technologies that make the maritime field more sustainable and the world safer.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I read novels and books. I lead songs in church and also, I practice sports such as Karate.
Q: What is your favorite book, movie, or TV series?
A: My favorite book is the Bible. I like watching documentaries such as Top secrets UFO projects, black holes, etc.
Q: What would you like to see from SNAME now that you are employed in the Canadian Marine Industry? Is there something we could do differently that would help those in the SNAME communities?
A: Firstly, SNAME Canada should often organize conferences and seminars to gather all people working in the maritime industry in Canada. People would have the occasion to share their experience and researches related to the Canadian Marine Industry.
Secondly, we have few people with expertise in the maritime field in Canada. They couldn't cover the demand of the labor market. Most immigrants who have expertise and experience in the maritime field face many obstacles. Their degrees aren't recognized in Canada. They have to go through many processes to obtain the right to work as professionals in Canada. SNAME could also play a role to ease the integration of those people into the regulatory bodies.
Lastly, SNAME should encourage young people through information sessions to pursue studies in the maritime field, and this could be achieved through grants et scholarships.