Lead Deck SME - RATT

Position Summary:
Life Cycle Engineering has a contingent opening for Lead Deck Subject Matter Expert (SME), supporting services for the Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) Readiness Assistance Training Team (RATT). The Lead Deck SME is the program's senior specialist for shipboard deck operations and systems across all supported hull types. This position covers anchor, windlass, mooring, boat handling, crane, stern gate, amphibious operations, and underway replenishment systems - with particular emphasis on the diverse deck system configurations across LPD-17, LSD-41/49, LHD-1, LHA-6, and LCC-19 class ships. The Lead Deck SME is embedded with visit teams whose primary focus is engineering, but provides an essential second line of assessment for the deck systems that generate significant Category I and II deficiencies in formal inspections. Direct and current experience with systems used by the fleet is a firm requirement for this position. This contract has a contingent start of September 2026.

Security Clearance Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required
• ctive U.S. DoD Secret security clearance required (Security clearance eligibility may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
• bility to maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead SME for all deck systems assessments across assigned visit teams, with particular focus on the Amphibious Diesel, Amphibious Steam, and ORCA teams.
• ssess anchor, windlass, mooring, boat handling (RHIB, motor whale boat), crane and davit systems, stern gate, vehicle elevator, and underway replenishment rig systems for material condition and operational compliance.
• Conduct and supervise deckplate training for Boatswain's Mates and deck supervision at CPO and Division Officer level.
• dminister Level 2 pre/post knowledge assessments for deck systems training evolutions and complete Level 3 behavioral observation forms post-training.
• Generate maintenance-ready Automated Work Requests for all Category I and II deck system deficiencies.
• Provide inputs to the Prioritized Material Deficiency Report and CO Visit Report for deck system findings.
• Submit class-level deck system deficiency patterns to the PM for the Class Issues Assessment Report.
• Participate in annual STANCO; lead deck systems curriculum review agenda items.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of supervisory experience
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of supervisory-level experience on warships or military auxiliaries as Ship's Boatswain responsible for overall deck operations; twenty-five (25) or more years highly desirable.
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of experience with the technical aspects of anchor, windlass, mooring, boat handling, crane, stern gate operations, amphibious operations, and underway replenishment systems on warships or military auxiliaries; twenty-five (25) or more years highly desirable.
• Direct experience with deck systems currently employed by the U.S. Navy, including both operations and maintenance.
• Undergraduate or associate's degree, or extensive demonstrated experience in a management role.

Preferred Education, Skills and/or Experience:

• Twenty-five (25) or more years of senior deck department leadership experience.
• Experience across multiple amphibious hull types (LPD-17, LSD-41/49, LHD-1, LHA-6).
• Experience with LCC-19 Blue Ridge class flag deck and boat systems.
• Prior formal deck inspection experience at INSURV, ISIC, or ATG level.

Physical Demands and Expectations:

• bility to work in an industrial shipboard/shipyard environment, climb shipboard ladders and wear all required safety equipment.
• ble to lift (up to 50lb), carry, and transport heavy equipment and materials required. Able to meet U.S. Navy shiprider requirements
• Must be willing to travel up to 40% of the year to CONUS/OCONUS locations.
• bility to speak, read, hear and write, with or without assistance
• bility to use phone and computer systems, copier, fax, and other office equipment.

This position description re present s a summary of the major components and requirements of the outlined job. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or required as business needs dictate. Questions regarding this description should immediately be addressed to the department manager or to Human Resources.