Life Cycle Engineering, Inc

Navy Surface Ship Maintenance & Readiness SME

Life Cycle Engineering, Inc$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of operational and maintenance experience on Navy surface ships in specific technical specialties
  • Recent (within last 5 years) direct experience with Navy systems
  • Eligibility for CONUS and OCONUS travel for extended periods
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance or eligibility
  • U.S. citizenship required

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate pre-visit planning with ship leadership to tailor assessments
  • Conduct IPE assessments and document findings during ORCA visits
  • Draft actionable reports on material deficiencies for review
  • Gather feedback on workshop configurations and safety standards
  • Identify necessary Navy training for assigned IPE and contribute inputs to training matrices
  • Provide recommendations for discrepancies and assign corrective actions
  • Ensure contractual deliverables are accurate and sent on time

Benefits

  • Opportunity for extensive travel, both CONUS and OCONUS
  • Engage directly with Navy personnel on critical repair capability assessments
  • Participate in high-impact assessments that enhance fleet readiness
  • Develop and share technical knowledge across various Navy platforms
  • Contribute to important government contract deliverables and reports
Full Job Description
Position Title

Position Summary:
Life Cycle Engineering has contingent openings for multiple Ship Maintenance & Readiness Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the Organic Repair Capability Assessment (ORCA) Team, supporting services for the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) Readiness Assistance Training Team (RATT). The ORCA SMEs serve as experienced technical coaches and assessors who conduct 3- to 4-day shipboard assessments focused on a ship's organic repair capability for Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE). Performing approximately 42 CONUS and 11 OCONUS assessments per year on a 3-year visit cycle per hull. ORCA SMEs work alongside the ship's force personnel to identify IPE material deficiencies, assess maintenance program health, identify training gaps, and provide actionable recommendations that improve the crew's ability to conduct organic repairs. The coaching-based model - advisory, not inspectorial - requires SMEs to establish credibility rapidly with both junior enlisted and senior officers and to translate deep operational expertise into transferable knowledge at the deckplate level. This contract has a contingent start of September 2026.

Security Clearance Requirements: (STANDARD)
  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance required (Security clearance eligibility may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
  • Ability to maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: (Provide details of priority/key tasking.)
  • Support pre-visit coordination with ship leadership; contribute to tailored assessment planning for assigned hull type and CSMP data review.
  • Conduct assigned workshop and IPE assessments during ORCA visits; complete ORCA Workshop Functionality Score Sheets for assigned spaces.
  • Document material deficiencies with sufficient specificity to support AWR generation; prepare technically sound draft AWRs for Team Lead review.
  • Solicit fleet feedback on workshop configuration adequacy - safety, physical arrangement, material handling, and support services.
  • Identify prerequisite Navy training (JQR, PQS, A/C school) for assigned IPE; contribute inputs to the Training/IPE Matrix.
  • Provide actionable recommendations for identified discrepancies; identify the appropriate responsible party (ship, ISIC, or TYCOM) for each corrective action.
  • Contribute to ORCA contractual deliverables: Final Visit Report, Shipboard Training Summary, and Material Deficiency Report (due five working days post-trip).
  • Provide ORCA assessment data to the Team Lead and Analyst for monthly submission to NSWC Corona; ensure data is complete, accurate, and formatted to program standards prior to delivery.
  • Conduct CONUS and OCONUS travel in support of the ORCA visit schedule, including extended OCONUS engagements of 4-6 weeks.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience: (Provide LCAT requirements & must haves.)
  • Minimum fifteen (15) years of operational and maintenance experience in one of the below technical specialties aboard Navy surface ships:
    • Gas Turbine Main Propulsion and Control Systems
    • Diesel Main Propulsion and Control Systems
    • Damage Control
    • Electrical Systems
    • Auxiliaries Systems
    • Deck Operations and Systems
    • Maintenance, Material Management, and Logistics
  • Direct operational and maintenance experience within the last five (5) years with systems and equipment currently in use by the Navy in the assigned specialty area.
  • Available for CONUS and OCONUS travel, including extended engagements of 4-6 weeks.

Preferred Education, Skills and/or Experience: (Provide nice-to-haves.)
  • Twenty-five (25) or more years of experience in listed technical specialties.
  • Prior RATT or ORCA visit participation as team member or observer.
  • Maintenance and training staff experience at ISIC, TYCOM, or Afloat Training Group level.
  • Familiarity with NAVSEA AWR preparation standards and format requirements.
  • Experience supporting government contract deliverables in a Navy maintenance or training environment.

Physical Demands and Expectations: (STANDARD)
  • Ability to work in an industrial shipboard/shipyard environment, climb shipboard ladders and wear all required safety equipment.
  • Able 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.
  • Ability to speak, read, hear and write, with or without assistance
  • Ability to use phone and computer systems, copier, fax, and other office equipment.
This position description represents 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.

About Life Cycle Engineering, Inc

Life Cycle Engineering, Inc. (LCE) is a privately held engineering, consulting, and technical services firm headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1976, LCE provides engineering, programmatic, and technical support services to the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Army, United States Air Force, and other federal agencies, as well as commercial clients. LCE specializes in reliability engineering, maintenance engineering, information technology, program management, and business process engineering. The company has additional offices in Washington, D.C., San Diego, California, Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida.
Learn more about Life Cycle Engineering, Inc
Size
1,200 employees
Industry
Net Income
$5 million
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+10%
Revenue
$100 million

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