Principal Engineer

Basic Commerce & Industries, Inc.; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

Basic Commerce & Industries, Inc. is hiring Principal Engineers to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. These roles focus on systems engineering and analysis, specifically in combat systems integration.

Candidates should have 25-30 years of US Navy surface warfare experience or equivalent, excellent organizational skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Applicants must be US citizens and subject to security investigations.

Qualifications

• 25-30 years US Navy surface warfare experience required.
• Experience with Aegis Combat and Weapon Systems is essential.
• Two years’ experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications required.

Responsibilities

• Provide review and recommendations on combat systems integration.
• Support strategic planning for multiple customers within NSWCDD.
• Engage in conceptual studies and major analytical studies.

Skills

US Navy surface warfare experience

Excellent organizational skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Advanced writing and speaking abilities

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Formal degree in systems engineering or software engineering

Job description

Basic Commerce and Industries, Inc. (BCI) is seeking to fill Principal Engineer positions in support of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Integrated Combat Systems Department (V), Electromagnetic and Sensor Systems Department (B), and other customers within NSWCDD and their tenant organizations. Principal Engineers are oftentimes sought out by BCI to serve as Subject Matter Experts in their field on a part‑time or as needed basis. BCI's areas of expertise include Human Systems Integration/Human Factors Engineering, Interoperability, Training, Operational Systems Safety, and Weapon & Combat Systems Engineering. BCI's work force includes human factors engineers, operational engineers and former naval officers and enlisted subject matter experts.

Job Details

• Job Location: Dahlgren, VA
• Telework: Minimal with Task Leader Authorization; these are not remote positions
• Job Start Date: Summer 2026
• Shift: Days~ 0800-1600

Experience Required

Successful candidates must have a minimum of 25-30 years US Navy surface warfare experience gained while on active duty senior enlisted or officer serving on carriers, DDGs, CGs, LCS, large deck or smaller amphibious ships, or land‑based test sites, etc., OR 25-30 years combination of US Navy, civil service, or industry experience. Required specialized experience is required in such programs as Aegis Combat and Weapon Systems, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD), Ship Self Defense System (SSDS), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), NIFC-CA, DDG‑1000, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) or US Coast Guard. Advanced writing and speaking abilities a must. Two (2) years’ experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. Ability to interface at the flag/O‑6 level is a must. A formal degree supporting systems engineering, software engineering or significant analysis experience is a plus and could be a requirement for some positions.

Description Of Duties

These billets are anticipated to provide senior level systems engineering, analysis and program level support to multiple customers within NSWCDD, and potentially NAVSEA, NAVAIR, ONR, various Navy PEOs, etc. Duties for these positions may include:

1. Providing review and recommendations on combat systems integration technical issues including red teams and failure review boards.
2. Strategic planning.
3. Providing SME support to NSWCDD program managers in the area of product and task definition, review of products, and other task tracking and program support.
4. Providing engineering expertise in the conduct of conceptual studies, AoAs and other major analytical studies.

Must have excellent organizational skills and be able to perform efficiently and effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines. Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the BCI team and customers.

Minimal travel may be required.

Applicants must be US citizens. Applicants will be subjected to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled