COLUMBIA Class Construction Support Engineer – Structural

Electric Boats$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil (Structural), Marine, Ocean, or Electrical Engineering, or Naval Architecture.
  • 5+ years of relevant engineering experience in ship building.
  • Previous experience with naval systems or structures.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense secret clearance.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Access.

Responsibilities

  • Assist trade personnel in resolving construction challenges and implement process improvements.
  • Adjudicate technical issues during construction phases.
  • Interpret design, drawing, and specification requirements for clarity.
  • Provide timely direction and evaluation through engineering dispositions of Change Notices.
  • Respond to Vendor Information Requests in support of vendor-built structures.
  • Conduct engineering calculations for 'as-built' configurations.
  • Interface with trade personnel, management, and Navy representatives on-site.

Benefits

  • Engagement in high-profile submarine construction projects.
  • Continuous opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
  • Collaborative work environment alongside Navy stakeholders and experienced engineers.
  • Involvement in resolving real-time engineering challenges in ship construction.
Full Job Description
Overview

This position is located on site at the Newport News Shipyard (NNS) in Virginia at the Engineering Liaison Office (ELO).

 

Department 460 ELO is seeking highly motivated candidates to support submarine construction activities for the COLUMBIA Class.  D460 ELO is responsible for the resolution of COLUMBIA design issues, trouble-shooting of construction problems, technical support for manufacturing operations, verification and certification of as-built dimensions and configurations, and implementation of process improvements.  The department’s main goal is to provide timely, high quality engineering support for all manufacturing, steel fabrication, and outfitting activities at NNS.  In addition, engineers in D460 ELO are exposed to various aspects of submarine design and construction, which provides opportunities for continuous growth, leadership, and advancement as an engineer.

 

Individuals selected for this position will be responsible for providing the structural and electrical technical support for submarine construction activities for COLUMBIA Class submarines at NNS.  This position requires continued progression of technical and project management skills.  The successful candidate is expected to help manage construction issues throughout steel fabrication, manufacturing, and outfitting organizations at NNS, and be able to communicate engineering assessment with operations, trade, planning, and ship’s management organizations.  They are also expected to relay shipyard priorities to appropriate Newport News Shipyard, Electric Boat, and Navy stakeholders.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Proactively assisting trade personnel overcome construction problems and facilitating implementation of design and process improvements
  • Adjudication of technical issues encountered during construction
  • Interpreting design/drawing/specification requirements
  • Providing clear and timely direction and/or evaluation to Newport News Shipyard trades via engineering disposition of Change Notices (CNs).
  • Answering Vendor Information Requests (VIRs) in support of vendor-built structures that were previously manufactured by NNS trades or that will be installed by NNS.
  • Performing engineering calculations for “as-built” configurations
  • Interfacing with trade personnel, management and on-site Customer (Navy) representatives
Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil (Structural), Marine, Ocean, or Electrical Engineering, or Naval Architecture. 
  • Previous experience with the design, development, and/or operation of naval systems, components, or structure is required.
  • 5+ years of post-graduate engineering experience relevant to ship building.
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense secret clearance is required.

Preferred:

  • Experience with troubleshooting, and technical problem solving.
  • Experience with structural design, evaluation, and/or construction.
  • Experience with electrical component design, cable diagrams, evaluation, and/or construction.
  • Experience with providing deck-plate engineering construction support.
  • Experience dispositioning Change Notices.
  • Experience with task or project management.
  • Experience using Teamcenter/NX software.
Skills
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word & Access is required.
  • Highly effective soft skills to facilitate mentorship, teamwork, and collaboration.
  • Candidate must be able to take initiative and work independently.
  • Candidate must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Candidate must be highly motivated and able to perform independently, as well as interact with other groups and organizations in a team environment.
  • Some travel may be necessary.
  • Knowledge of COLUMBIA Class ship design and arrangement preferred. 
  • Knowledge of construction drawings, system diagrams, and test forms preferred. 
Physical QualificationsClimbing, Crawling, Kneeling, Light Lifting, Stooping Environmental AttributesInside, Outside

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