ENGINEER

Naval Sea Systems Command (DON); Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentives

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Ad‑hoc telework

Job summary

Naval Sea Systems Command is seeking engineers to serve as mechanical design authorities for coastal and littoral platforms at the Panama City Division. The role involves designing, modeling, and integrating mechanical subsystems, authoring specs, and validating prototypes against stringent naval standards.

Telework is allowed ad‑hoc; relocation incentives may apply; occasional travel is expected. ND‑04/ND‑03 level responsibilities include interfacing with cross‑functional teams, conducting

Qualifications

• Requires ND‑04/ND‑03 level experience as a professional engineer in design and modeling of mechanical/electromechanical systems for naval applications.
• Experience translating digital designs into functional hardware with manufacturing processes and tooling including CNC, 3D printing, and assembly.
• Demonstrated ability to develop test plans, collaborate across disciplines, and ensure system‑level performance for prototypes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an ENGINEER within NSWCPCD’s coastal and littoral missions.
• Act as primary technical authority for mechanical system design and configuration management.
• Evaluate complex mechanical, thermal, and fluidic systems for safety and MIL‑SPEC compliance.
• Translate fleet needs into detailed mechanical/structural design criteria.
• Prepare technical requirement documents, interface control agreements, and manufacturing specs for unmanned assets.
• Identify design vulnerabilities and implement proactive redesigns to mitigate risks.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical failures in active military hardware and propose long‑term fixes.
• Lead mechanical design, analysis, and integration of hardware subsystems within host platforms.
• Develop and execute high‑fidelity physics‑based models to predict structural/thermal/dynamic response.

Skills

CAD software

Mechanical design

Systems integration

Prototype hardware

Education

ABET‑accredited engineering program

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

CNC machines

3D printing

Job description

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the “How to Apply” section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer. Learn more about this agency

Overview

Location; Few vacancies in the following location: Panama City Naval Surface Warfare Center, FL No matching locations found; Work site options.

Telework eligible: Yes—This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework at the discretion of management.

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes—Relocation incentives as described in 5 USC 5753 may be authorized in accordance with applicable regulations. PCS is not authorized.

Salary

$40,736 – $138,370 per year ND-2 salary range: $40,736 – $72,644; ND-3 salary range: $61,722 – $97,087; ND-4 salary range: $89,508 – 138,370.

Pay scale & grade

ND 2 – 4

Promotion potential

4

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type

Permanent

• 0830 Mechanical Engineering

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

No

Drug test

No

Security clearance

Secret

Position sensitivity and risk

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type

• Suitability/Fitness
• National security

Financial disclosure required

No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

DE-13105003-27-BWH

Control number

890829200

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency: U.S. Citizens

Duties

• You will serve as an ENGINEER within NSWCPCD’s specialized coastal and littoral missions, including Littoral Warfare, Mine Warfare, Naval Special Warfare, Diving and Life Support and Amphibious Warfare
• You will serve as the primary technical authority for mechanical system design, integration, and configuration management on major prototype platforms.
• You will evaluate highly complex mechanical, thermal, and fluidic systems to ensure full compliance with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) safety criteria, MIL-SPECs, and system certifiability standards.
• You will translate broad fleet capabilities and mission requirements into detailed mechanical and structural design criteria.
• You will independently author technical requirement documents, interface control agreements, and manufacturing specifications for next‑generation unmanned maritime vehicles or diving and life‑support assets.
• You will analyze potential design vulnerabilities, material limitations, or operational failures and implement proactive engineering redesigns to mitigate mission risks.
• You will diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex systemic mechanical failures in active military hardware and engineer long‑term design corrections.
• You will lead the mechanical design, analysis, and integration of hardware subsystems into existing host platforms, resolving complex space, weight and environmental survivability constraints to ensure design compliance.
• You will lead the development, validation, and execution of high‑fidelity mechanical physics‑based models and simulations to predict the structural, thermal, or dynamic response of a system.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e‑verify.gov
• Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
• Males born after 12‑31‑59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Functional Area and Tier assigned to the position, along with Continuous Learning (CL) points, are required within established timeframes.
• This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.

Qualifications

ND-04: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the ND-03 pay band (GS‑9 through GS‑11 equivalent) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer: 1) design and model complex mechanical and electromechanical systems for robotics, uncrewed platforms (UxS), and other naval applications using CAD software, rapidly iterating on designs based on simulation results and feedback from cross‑functional teams; 2) translate digital designs into functional hardware by personally operating, or closely supervising the use of, advanced manufacturing equipment, including CNC mills, lathes, and 3D printers (both polymer and metal), to fabricate and assemble prototypes; 3) integrate mechanical components with electrical, control, and software systems, collaborating closely with electrical and software engineers to troubleshoot and resolve interface challenges and ensure seamless system‑level performance; 4) develop and execute test plans to validate prototype performance against naval operational requirements, conducting hands‑on testing for structural integrity, environmental resistance (shock, vibration, corrosion), and functional reliability; 5) collaborate directly with military operators and technicians to gather design input, understand operational constraints, and incorporate user feedback, ensuring that prototypes are not only technically sound but also practical for use in the field; and 6) create and maintain detailed design documentation, assembly procedures, and bills of materials, applying principles of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) to ensure that successful prototypes can be transitioned to production partners for scaled manufacturing.

ND-03: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the ND-02 pay band (GS‑5 through GS‑8 equivalent) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer: 1) design, develop, fabricate, integrate, and test mechanical and electromechanical systems supporting robotics, uncrewed systems (UxS), and other naval applications; 2) use CAD, simulation, and rapid prototyping tools to develop and refine designs; operate or oversee advanced manufacturing equipment, including CNC and additive‑manufacturing systems, to produce prototype hardware; 3) collaborate with electrical, software, and operational users to resolve integration issues and incorporate field requirements; (4) develop and execute test plans to assess prototype performance, durability, and reliability; 5) maintain engineering drawings, assembly instructions, test documentation, and bills of materials, applying Design for Manufacturability principles to support transition to production. ND-02: You must have successfully completed a full 4‑year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included a major field of study as described in the Education section of this flyer.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Education

Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:

0830: Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first‑year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress‑strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR, Combination of education and experience. College‑level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1) Professional registration or licensure; 2) Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination; 3) Specified academic courses – Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program; or 4) Related Curriculum – Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. OPM stipulates there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering‑type experience.

++TO QUALIFY FOR ND-3:++ Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

• A master’s or equivalent graduate degree; OR
• Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s or equivalent graduate degree; OR
• A combination of experience and graduate education as described above that equates to one year of experience.

Additional information

This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project. The full performance level of ND-4 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to the GS-12 and GS-13. The ND-3 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to the GS-9 through GS-11. The ND-2 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to the GS-5 through GS-8.

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Several vacancies may be filled.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre‑employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.

Veteran’s preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran’s preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.

If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.

A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Open in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.

Next steps

Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews.

Our evaluation will be based on the information you provide. You should expect that we will verify performance, suitability, and security information and take that information into account in making employment offers.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request

Agency contact information

Pamela Fuhrman

[phone]

[e-mail]

NAVSURFWARFCTR PANAMA CITY DIVISION

110 Vernon Avenue

Panama City, FL 32407-7001

US