Front Line Supervisor, Outside Machinist

General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works; Bath (ME); On-site; USD 72,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) plan

Flexible spending accounts

Life and disability insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Health coaching

Athletic trainers

Employee assistance programs

Onsite health services

Job summary

General Dynamics – Bath Iron Works is seeking a Front-Line Supervisor, Outside Machinist. The role leads Outside Machinists across shifts, overseeing safety, quality, and efficiency during ship operations and sea trials.

You will direct Department 09 mechanics, coordinate with multiple trades, and ensure adherence to BOS standards while advancing productivity and skills development. Strong leadership in a unionized environment is essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum 1 year of machinery experience.
• Solid understanding of shipbuilding.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict.

Responsibilities

• Safety leadership across operations and enforce safety standards and procedures.
• Oversee safe ship operations during sea trials and supervise mechanics.
• Direct activities of Department 09 mechanics and coordinate with pipe, machinery, electrical, and vent trades.
• Ensure first-time quality through oversight and training.
• Monitor POW execution and align resources with operational needs.
• Track PM workloads and complete work orders to minimize downtime.
• Familiar with activation and operation of Ships HM&E systems (propulsion, cooling, air, engines, fuel/oil).
• Provide technical guidance and support to mechanics; mentor staff.

Skills

Machinery experience

Shipbuilding knowledge

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Conflict management

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

We offer a competitive salary for this role, with an expected range of $71,600 – $90,700/yr. The final offer will depend on your experience, skills, and overall qualifications. General Dynamics – Bath Iron Works also provides a variety of benefits including

• medical & dental insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• flexible spending accounts/HSAs
• life and disability insurance
• company paid holidays
• paid time off (PTO)
• health coaching
• athletic trainers
• employee assistance programs
• onsite health services

The Front-Line Supervisor, Outside Machinist is a leadership role responsible for supporting the Outside Machinist on all shifts. The Responsibilities also include supervising safe ship operations during sea trials. The Outside Machinist Supervisor will direct the activities of Department 09 mechanics and coordinate activities with multiple trades including pipe, machinery, electrical, and vent. All tasks are planned and executed with safety as the highest priority. The Outside Machinist Supervisor reports to the Trade Superintendent. Operating under the BIW Business Operating System (BOS), the Front Line Supervisor, Outside Machinist ensures compliance with safety, quality, and performance standards while coordinating with other key stakeholders to meet overall milestones.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership:

• Champion BIW safety culture and enforce all safety standards and procedures across operations.
• Ensure proper PPE use, hazard awareness, and adherence to safe work practices.
• Support safety training and continuous improvement in workplace safety performance.

Project Execution:

• Monitor the quality of work performed; ensure first-time quality through proper oversight and training.
• Support Plan of the Week (POW) execution and coordinate with area management to align resources with operational needs.
• Track the status of assigned Preventative Maintenance (PM) workloads and work order’s completion status to enable intervention for planned downtime (and reduce unplanned outages).

Operational Management:

• Familiar with activation and operation of Ships HM&E systems to include but not limited to: Propulsion systems, Distributed Sea water cooling systems, High and Low Air systems, Gas Turbine and Diesel engines, and fuel and oil storage, service, and purification systems.
• Participate in efforts to improve efficiency and optimization.
• Provide technical guidance and support to mechanics.
• Ensure accountability of task and goal completion.
• Support Outside Machinist metric(s) and established goals.
• Understand, support, and administer the union labor contract.
• Use electronic time accounting system (WFM) to maintain employees’ time, overtime, and work order charges daily.
• Mentor mechanics by developing their technical knowledge and ability to execute daily objectives.
• Ensure procedures and process controls are well-documented and communicated to the personnel charged with executing the tasks.
• Promote continuous learning and skills development for mechanics.
• Participate in Business Operating System (BOS) principles and productivity enhancements.
• Focus on the quality of trade’s workmanship to ensure quality standards.
• Incorporate the Plan-Do-Check-Act model to ensure sustainment of the improvements established.

Required/Preferred Education/Training

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

Required/Preferred Experience

Required:

• Minimum of 1 year experience in machinery related field
• Solid understanding of shipbuilding
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities

Preferred:

• Previous supervisory experience
• Previous experience in main propulsion and shafting installation, auxiliary installation, and/or weapon installation