Engineering Technician (Electrical)

Continental Tide Defense Systems; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Continental Tide Defense Systems is seeking an Engineering Technician with a strong electrical background to join our San Diego team. The role focuses on ship modernization, electrical installations, and leading field teams aboard Navy ships and in shipyards.

The right candidate will serve as SME or Project Lead, coordinating with program managers, customers, and subcontractors to deliver on-site upgrades. Key requirements include ten years of direct HM&E or electronic systems experience, 5–7

Qualifications

• Ten years direct hands-on experience with shipboard Navy HM&E or electronic systems.
• 5–7 years leading projects or program-level initiatives.
• Ability to travel up to 75% and work aboard Navy ships.

Responsibilities

• Serve as electrical SME and project lead for hull and steel repair projects onboard ships or in shipyards.
• Lead electrical teams in cableway management, installation, terminations, copper/fiber testing.
• Interpret NAVSEA drawings, blueprints, and specifications to plan work packages.
• Supervise and mentor electricians and helpers to ensure quality and safety.
• Coordinate with Project Leads, PMs, engineers, QA/QC, and customers to resolve issues and align goals.
• Submit Daily Status Reports and track progress using MS Project in POA&M format.

Skills

Leadership

Shipboard electrical

Project management

Team supervision

NAVSEA knowledge

Education

High school diploma/GED

Tools

Copper connector certification

Fiber optic experience

NAVSEA Cableway Inspector certification

NAVSEA connectorization certifications

Job description

(Electrical Background)

Position

Engineering Technician (Electrical Background)

Location

San Diego, CA

Company Overview

Continental Tide Defense Systems, Inc. (Continental Tide) is an industry leader, providing engineering and industrial services to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other DoD organizations. At Continental Tide, we understand that a great company culture is one where employees know their voice is heard, no matter what their title is, and letting them grow in their role as the company does. We want to provide our employees with the opportunity to learn, be challenged and be in a position where they can succeed, develop new skills, and do things they wouldn't have the opportunity to do elsewhere. Our fast-paced and challenging environment, employees here at Continental Tide can catapult themselves to the top and we’re looking for “the best at what they do” to join our team and help us grow. Attention to detail and a willingness to learn is essential as you will be fully engaged from the first day. We offer competitive wages in salaried and hourly positions, educational opportunities, relocation reimbursement, competitive employee benefit options, and a 401(k)-retirement plan with company match. We are always looking for top-talent and we look forward to new-thinkers and team-players joining our company!

• Please note due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements. Only local candidates will be considered.

Job Overview

Continental Tide is seeking a motivated, energetic, and experienced Engineering Technician with a strong electrical background and AIT leadership experience to join our ship modernization and sustainment teams in San Diego, CA. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with expertise in U.S. Navy Hull, Mechanical & Electrical (HM&E) or Electronic Systems, capable of driving immediate results in shipboard upgrades, repairs, and system installations.

Based on the initiative, the successful candidate may operate as a Project Lead and/or Electrical Subject Matter Expert (SME), the candidate will oversee shipboard electrical installations, lead technical teams, and serve as a key interface with Continental Tide’s Program Managers, customers, and subcontractors. This position demands a blend of field experience, leadership capability, and deep technical understanding of Navy electrical systems.

Essential duties & responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following

• Serve as the electrical SME and project lead for hull and steel repair projects, managing day-to-day operations onboard ships and in shipyard environments.
• Lead electrical teams in cableway management (including lay out of cable paths and penetration requirements), cable installation, terminations, copper/ fiber connectorizations and testing requirements.
• Interpret NAVSEA drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications to plan and execute electrical work packages in compliance with 9090-310 REV H or latest version.
• Supervise and mentor junior, senior electricians, and helpers to ensure quality craftsmanship and safe work practices.
• Collaborate with Project Leads, Program Managers, Engineers, QA &QC, and customer representatives to resolve issues and align project goals.
• Assist in tracking and report daily progress, labor hours, and material usage; assist in scheduling and forecasting work.
• Ensure all electrical work adheres to NAVSEA Standard Items, ABS requirements, OSHA regulations, and company policies.
• Adhere to, maintain, and update all QA documentation OQE to include but not limited to preinstallation inspections, post installation inspections to include repair and testing.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, support change orders, and contribute to after-action reporting.
• As required perform duties and responsibilities as Site Foremen as a project lead for overall task assignment.
• Submit Daily Status Reports (DSR), develop Condition Found Reports, and update progress utilizing Microsoft Project in POA&M (plans of action & milestone) format.
• Perform additional duties outside of your standard responsibilities as needed to support production and project completion

Requirements

• Target experience of ten (10) years of direct hands-on experience working with shipboard Navy HM&E or electronic systems.
• Five (5) to Seven (7) years previous experience overseeing and directing 'Project-Level' initiatives within corporate or Program-level initiatives and directives.
• Experience in directing daily production to attain schedule milestones.
• Must be Copper Connector Certified & possess fiber optic experience
• Possess NAVSEA Cableway Inspector, Fiber and Copper Connectorization Certifications.
• Proven ability to supervise technical support teams of 5 to 10 tradespersons performing electrical repairs and installations aboard Navy ships.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Navy Alteration Installation Team (AIT) processes, shipboard safety procedures, and electrical system testing.
• Ability to interpret NAVSEA drawings, electrical schematics, and installation standards.
• Familiarity with QA practices and the generation of OQE (Objective Quality Evidence) & QAWB documentation.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Secret Security Clearance.
• Possess a high school diploma, GED or industrial school certificate.
• Ability to travel to shipyards or port locations as needed, traveling up to 75% of the time.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified in 'Multi-pin' Connectors IAW MIL-STD-2003-5B
• Certified in Fiber Optic IAW 2042C: CFOS/O, CFOS/C, CFOS/S, CFOS/T, CFOS/FC
• Target seven (7) plus years experience as a Marine Electrician with 3 or more years of previous supervisory responsibilities*
• Experience with maintaining budgets and material
• Certified to accomplish wire way inspections in accordance with NAVSEA Standard Items
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office
• Ability to foresee problems, write reports and give suggestions for solving those issues.
• Experience communicating directly with management, subcontractors, and customers regarding project cost, staffing, and scheduling.
• Background in preparing status reports and ensuring plans adhere to contract specifications.

Physical Requirements

• Exposure to open-air environments, including noisy, hot, and cold conditions.
• Required to visit project sites aboard ships and rigs, both onshore and offshore.
• Must wear various types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hearing, eye, head, and hand protection, as required.
• Site visits may involve standing on a variety of surfaces and angles, bending, crouching, and climbing over obstructions such as scaffolding, ladders, and internal barge or boat structural components.
• Exposure to sound levels exceeding 100 decibels.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and night vision to inspect marine components and systems, identify defects or irregularities, and safely operate tools and equipment.
• May work in confined spaces with limited ventilation.
• Requires prolonged periods of sedentary work, including sitting and/or standing.
• May be required to operate machinery, power tools, and/or heavy equipment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively to exchange and comprehend information.
• Frequent exposure to extreme weather conditions, including high heat and extreme cold.
• Must be able to lift and carry 30 lbs. or more, depending on the task requirements.
• Must be physically able to ride ships at sea for extended periods, including withstanding ship motion and working in various sea conditions

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform the essential job duties satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employee or others. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Continental Tide offers an empowering professional environment in a culture that emphasis teamwork, shared responsibility for company and client success, and personal growth. We offer competitive wages in salaried and hourly positions, educational opportunities, competitive employee benefit options, and 401K plan with company match.

Continental Tide is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify and U.S. citizenship is required for most positions. Continental Tide prohibits discrimination against any protected class from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs. Consistent with these obligations, Continental Tide also provides reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Continental Tides Defense Systems, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran”.

“This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.”