Johnson Joins Birdon as Ship Design Director

Spencer Johnson has joined Birdon as the ship design director building on his extensive career in shipbuilding, naval architecture and engineering. Johnson will lead Birdon’s engineering and integrated product teams to deliver 27 vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program.

“Spencer’s background leading large ship design and construction projects make him a great fit for Birdon’s team,” said Birdon president, Rob Scott. “Spencer’s extensive leadership and engineering experience will help Birdon grow its ship design team of structural engineers, naval architects, and designers charged with building some of the nation’s most important ships.”

Spencer has over 30 years of experience as a naval architect; 10 of which he spent as Austal USA’s chief naval architect. He has extensive engineering management experience on both Navy and commercial shipbuilding projects and has successfully managed several design and build projects from concept through post-delivery support. During Johnson’s time at Austal USA, he led the design of several Navy ships including T-AGOS, LAW, and LUSV. As chief naval architect, Johnson managed a department of over 100 engineers and designers executing engineering, design, and production support on two major Navy shipbuilding programs (LCS and EPF). He is a graduate of Webb Institute and was recognized by Mobile Area Council of Engineers (MACE) as the 2022 Marine Engineer/Naval Architect of the Year.