Field Service Engineer

Actalent; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401k

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Field Service Engineer (Mechanical/Marine) to support mechanical systems on US Navy ships, including aircraft carriers and submarines. You will oversee shipboard installation, overhaul, and testing of equipment, with travel to shipyards for multi‑week assignments.

The role requires a Mechanical Engineering degree and hands‑on ship experience, including heavy rotating machinery, with weekend/overtime as needed. Chesapeake, VA based in a fully onsite environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on ship experience with progression into engineering responsibilities.
• Experience with heavy rotating oil-lubricated machinery.

Responsibilities

• Provide field service direction for mechanical and marine systems on naval vessels.
• Oversee shipboard installation and overhaul of equipment such as steam turbines and generators.
• Lead disassembly, inspection, and repair of rotating machinery.
• Perform maintenance and overhaul on complex rotating machinery with adherence to standards.
• Troubleshoot rotating machinery to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Read and interpret assembly and machining drawings to guide work.
• Use tooling and precision devices for accurate assembly and alignment.
• Prepare detailed reports documenting inspections and tests.
• Communicate with shipyard personnel and stakeholders on status and guidance.

Skills

Shipboard field service

Rotating machinery troubleshooting

Reading engineering drawings

Precision measurement tools

Technical reporting

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Machining equipment

Precision measurement devices

Job description

Job Title: Field Service Engineer (Mechanical/Marine)

This Field Service Engineer role focuses on providing technical direction and hands‑on support for complex mechanical systems on US Navy aircraft carriers, submarines, and other support vessels. You will oversee the shipboard installation, overhaul, maintenance, and testing of equipment such as steam turbines, pumps, trip throttle valves, and electrical generators. The position combines field-based engineering oversight with detailed inspection, troubleshooting, and comprehensive report writing, often in an industrial environment where odd hours and weekend work are common.

Responsibilities

• Provide field service technical direction for mechanical and marine systems on naval vessels, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and support ships.
• Oversee the shipboard installation and overhaul of equipment such as steam turbines, pumps, trip throttle valves, and electrical generators.
• Lead and support the disassembly, inspection, and repair of complex rotating, oil-lubricated machinery.
• Perform maintenance and overhaul activities on complex rotating machinery, ensuring adherence to engineering standards and procedures.
• Technically troubleshoot complex rotating machinery and associated systems to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Read and interpret assembly and machining drawings to guide maintenance, repair, and installation activities.
• Use tooling, machining equipment, and precision measurement devices to support accurate assembly, alignment, and quality control.
• Prepare, navigate, and generate detailed technical reports using word processing and spreadsheet software, documenting inspections, repairs, test results, and recommendations.
• Communicate professionally and clearly with internal and external customers, including shipyard personnel and other stakeholders, to provide technical guidance and status updates.
• Support overtime and weekend work as necessary to meet project schedules and operational requirements.
• Travel to shipyards and vessels to perform on‑site engineering support, typically for multi‑week assignments several times per year.
• Provide engineering oversight to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant execution of all maintenance, overhaul, and testing activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on ship experience in a technician‑type role with progression into engineering responsibilities.
• Experience working with heavy rotating oil‑lubricated machinery.
• Ability to perform maintenance and overhaul activities on complex rotating machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret assembly and machining drawings.
• Knowledge and experience using tooling, machining equipment, and precision measurement devices.
• Proven ability to technically troubleshoot complex rotating machinery and related systems.
• Meticulous attention to detail in all technical and documentation tasks.
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal and external customers.
• Basic computer skills with the ability to navigate and generate complex reports in word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Willingness and ability to support overtime and weekend work as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Mechanical engineering degree is preferred for this role.
• Prior experience in ship repair or naval environments is highly beneficial.
• Background in a technician role onboard ships transitioning into engineering work is ideal.
• Familiarity with US Navy vessels such as aircraft carriers, submarines, and support ships is advantageous.
• Strong written communication skills for complex technical report writing.
• Comfort working independently in the field while coordinating with diverse technical teams.

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily industrial and shipboard, involving work on naval vessels such as aircraft carriers, submarines, and support ships, as well as shipyards. You will work around heavy rotating machinery, steam turbines, pumps, valves, and generators in active marine and industrial settings. Odd hours and weekend work are not uncommon, particularly during critical maintenance and overhaul periods. Travel is required approximately 25% of the time, with typical trips lasting about 3–4 weeks, around four times per year. When not traveling, you will work either in a facility in the Chesapeake area or at local shipyards, providing on‑site support. The role involves regular use of tooling, machining equipment, and precision measurement devices, as well as computer‑based tools for documentation and reporting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chesapeake, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $110000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• PTO, 401k, health dental vision

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chesapeake, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.