Careers | Cobra Ribs

Thriving for over 30 years, our truly British-built RIBs are designed and handcrafted on the beautiful Dorset coast in Christchurch by our extraordinary team.

We pride ourselves upon our unique craftmanship, with each member of our passionate team dedicated to ensuring that every Cobra RIBs product is produced to the finest standards.

With our fully-customisable RIBs, each one takes us on a new journey.

We’re always on the lookout for exceptional people to come on board.

Join the adventure.

Explore our current career opportunities below.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Over the years, the skilled and dedicated team at Cobra RIBs have welcomed aboard some fantastically gifted young adults – and now we’d love to welcome you on board, too. We’re offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities to young adults who are willing to learn and grow as part of a highly respected local company.

These positions will see you complete the Standards in Production and Marine Electrics or Marine Engineering or Boat Building courses. As an apprentice with Cobra RIBs, you will ‘earn as you learn’, with competitive rates of pay, as well as receiving “Standards” qualifications with one of the marine industry’s most highly respected boat builders.

We will be holding a fact-finding open day (by appointment only) to show interested candidates around our workshop and facilities. Over the course of 2-3 hours, we’ll assess your capabilities through some tasks and tests. We’ll then close your time with us with an informal interview to find out a bit more about you and your interest in the marine industry.

If you think you have the enthusiasm, drive and commitment to complete a 3-4 year apprenticeship, and would like the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in a top-quality environment here at Cobra RIBs, then please get in touch.

In the first instance, please provide your CV and covering letter here.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you onboard. Good Luck!

Production Project leader

We are looking to appoint a production project leader with positive attitudes and great communication skills to oversee and work as part of small production team.

The role is hands on and requires the successful candidate to build in a timely fashion, mentor and manage up to four staff on a daily basis and report to the production supervisor on the progress of each boat build on a step-by-step basis.

Joining our team as a Production Project Leader will require the skills and tasks listed, but not exclusively limited to:

Capable of leading a team, with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time
Able to manage the build process of one project at a time and ongoing supply to specified deadlines of our iconic range
Work closely with the Production Supervisor to ensure the parts are manufactured in accordance with the build schedule
To always work in accordance with company policies & H S to include correct use of PPE
Driven and enthusiastic about our product and willing to get heavily invested in the company
Understand build plans and work to strict deadlines
Diligent with an eye for quality and good attention to detail
Good understanding of marine production processes and use of core materials
Use of hand tools
Experience in marine wet lay-up process, with the ability to produce high standards. A thorough understanding of GRP laminating and associated processes including those mentioned above which may include trimming and grinding
Working towards a “right first time” approach
In this position you will be encouraged to engage with improvement opportunities, associated with the build process
Good team player and excellent communicator

We offer a friendly environment, and a chance to build a long-term rewarding career with us. If you have the skills and want to join a dynamic and growing business apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

GRP Finisher

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £20,000.00 – £36,000.00 per annum, dependant on experience.

Joining our team as a GRP Finisher will require the skills and tasks listed, but not exclusively limited to:

Work to specified deadlines working on our iconic range in accordance with the build schedule
Driven and enthusiastic about our product and willing to get heavily invested in the company
Preparing moulds ready for gel
Read and understand lay-up specifications
Use of hand tools. Identify laminating defects
Release moulds. Use and control of patterns and jigs
Always maintain and execute high standards of finishing / mouldings
Sign off final quality control of finish
To help maintain clean and tidy and well-organised, free from obstruction working areas
To always work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and to follow all company procedures and guidelines which assist this
Understand and correctly use required PPE
Ability to work quickly and to a high standard, often unsupervised
There may be a requirement to work overtime on the occasional weekends or evenings when deadlines dictate

Key skills and qualifications required:

2+ years' experience gained within the Marine, Aerospace, Automotive or other quality driven industry is preferable
Attention to detail and a methodical approach to tasks
Good team player
Ability to work quickly and to a high standard, often unsupervised

We offer a friendly environment, and a chance to build a long-term rewarding career with us. If you have the skills and want to join a dynamic and growing business apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

Production Engineer / Marine Electrician

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £20,000.00 – £36,000.00 per annum, dependant on experience.

The role is hands on and requires the successful candidate to build in a timely fashion, and report to the Production Project Leaders on the build progress of each boat build.

Joining our team as a Production Engineer will require the skills and tasks listed, but not exclusively limited to:

Work to specific deadlines of our iconic range
To always work in accordance with company policies & H S to include correct use of PPE
Driven and enthusiastic about our product and willing to get heavily invested in the company
Diligent with an eye for quality and good attention to detail
Good understanding of marine production processes and use of core materials
General use of hand tools
A thorough understanding of GRP laminating and associated processes including those mentioned above which may include trimming and grinding
Working towards a “right first time” approach
Good team player and excellent communicator

We offer a friendly environment, and a chance to build a long-term rewarding career with us. If you have the skills and want to join a dynamic and growing business apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

GRP Laminator

We are looking to appoint a further 3 – 4 GRP Laminators with positive attitudes and great communication skills to work as part of our GRP moulding production team.

The successful candidates will be working on the production of hull and decks, and components, using hand lay-up techniques.

Joining our team as a GRP Laminator will require the skills and tasks listed, but not exclusively limited to:

Work to specified deadlines working on our iconic range in accordance with the build schedule
Driven and enthusiastic about our product and willing to get heavily invested in the company
Must be adept at working from technical drawings with the ability to read and understand lay-up specifications, drawings, jigs and patterns
Diligent with an eye for quality and good attention to detail
Good understanding of GRP laminating processes and use of core materials
Use of hand tools
Has a strong background in wet lay laminating with general boat building experience – cutting, fitting & assembling mouldings together and the application of gel coat
Experience in marine wet lay-up process, with the ability to produce high standards. A thorough understanding of GRP laminating and associated processes including those mentioned above which may include trimming and grinding
To identify any issues during the laying up process which might compromise the quality with the ability to Identify laminating defects
To help maintain clean and tidy and well-organised, free from obstruction working areas
To always work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and to follow all company procedures and guidelines which assist this
There may be a requirement to work overtime on the occasional weekends or evenings when deadlines dictate

We offer a friendly environment, and a chance to build a long-term rewarding career with us. If you have the skills and want to join a dynamic and growing business apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

Tubing Technician

We’re looking to appoint Tubing Technicians to join our recently established in house tubing department.

No experience is required as all training can be provided. Please note, some training will be off site so own transport is required. Age 18+.

Joining our team as a tubing technician will require the skills and attributes listed, but not exclusively limited to:

Work to specified deadlines in accordance with the new build schedule & aftersales requirements
Be able to work as part of a team but also happy to work alone
Be eager to learn. You will learn how to build & fit tubes in line with ISO standards, as well as learning all there is to know about refurbishments & repairs
Have a good eye for detail and high standards of workmanship
Be adaptable and able to work under pressure
To help maintain a clean and tidy work environment
To always work in accordance with the Health & Safety at work act 1974 and to follow all company procedures and guidelines set
Be passionate about our industry leading product and willing to get heavily invested in the company
There may be a requirement to work overtime on the occasional weekend or evening when deadlines require

If you already have the necessary skills or would love to learn how to become a successful tubing technician, please apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

Design Engineer

We are seeking an individual with a comprehensive marine background and an ability to make an impact, with industry knowledge and an agile approach, to join our design team.

The successful candidate will be experienced in styling-based design, with acute attention to manufacturability. Understand the importance of internal and external communication, and be capable of documenting project progress.

Key Responsibilities:

3D modelling and styling.
Build drawings, Renders and Project booklets.
Turning conceptual designs into mould-ready models.
Producing original design content in the development of the craft from mechanical to interior & exterior styling.
Be involved with new development projects including new equipment, materials, systems & designs.
Work closely and support the shop floor to optimise production.
Create & maintain BOMs for each project.

Desirable but non-essential additional responsibilities; 3D Scanning, CNC Cutting, 3D Printing and Customer build sessions.

Key Requirements:

A minimum of 4 years' experience within design and engineering in the marine industry, ideally within the luxury small craft market.
Degree qualified.
Proficient in Rhino 7.
Strong business acumen and proficient in Microsoft and Adobe packages.
Good interpersonal skills to collaborate.

Desirable but non-essential skills; Naval Architecture, Solidworks, 3D Printing, CNC Cutting on VCarve and GRP Layup Schedules.

As an individual you will be an organised person, meticulous, whilst exhibiting a strong understanding of the market. In return you'll be offered an excellent role within a growing and successful business.

Salary for the role will be competitive and comes with a number of benefits, plus a chance to regularly engage with the shop floor and also the client base.

We offer a friendly environment, and a chance to build a long-term rewarding career with us. If you have the skills and want to join a dynamic and growing business apply without delay.

Please provide your CV and covering letter here.

JOIN OUR CREW