Senior Mechanical Engineer, Marine Small Craft

Leidos; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

DLBA Naval Architects, a division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to be embedded with the US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Combatant Craft Division. You will provide onsite support at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, performing mechanical design, analysis, and testing for small craft (<300 ft).

Responsibilities include carrying out first-principles calculations, collaborating on boat design, and developing propulsion,

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active DoD secret security clearance.
• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years’ mechanical engineering experience (non-nuclear).
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering and related technologies.
• Knowledge of specifications/regulatory requirements (BS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC).
• Strong time management and organization skills as an independent contributor.
• Proficiency in CAD software, including AutoCAD and Rhino.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills.
• MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical design, analysis, research, and testing for mechanical systems on US Navy small craft (<300 ft).
• Perform engineering calculations from first principles and devise approaches to challenges.
• Collaborate with teams to design boats and craft and develop small craft design solutions.
• Complete engineering assignments accurately and on time using standard programs.
• Provide onsite mechanical engineering service to NSWCCD Code 83 at Little Creek-Fort Story.
• Design propulsion, fuel, ventilation, and hydraulic systems.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

First principles problem solving

Time management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Marine Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

Job description

Mechanical Engineering Opportunity at DLBA Naval Architects - A Division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox

DLBA Naval Architects, formerly Donald L. Blount and Associates, is a leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm, now a division of Leidos Gibbs & Cox. DLBA offers innovative consulting services for designing a diverse range of boats, from sleek, high-performance fiberglass recreational boats like Mastercraft’s Aviara series to rugged, aluminum workboats such as the Kayak Express. We pride ourselves on bringing advanced design and engineering to the waterfront, serving clients from high-speed record-setting race boats to reliable commercial tugs and barges. DLBA specializes in pushing the boundaries of high-performance marine craft design, but our expertise extends across all types of vessels. Our team's involvement in research and development keeps us at the cutting edge of the industry, introducing new technologies to revolutionize the boating world.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be embedded in a client team with US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Code 83, Combatant Craft Division (CCD). You’ll provide onsite support to CCD at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. In this position, you will perform mechanical engineering design, analysis, research, and testing service for mechanical systems on US Navy small craft (<300 ft). Range of service includes full life-cycle support for the US Navy’s small craft inventory.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and detailed engineering calculations using first principles hand calculations and devise approaches to challenges encountered.
• Assist client teams in the design of boats and craft. Provide solutions by applying existing design skills, techniques, and procedures.
• Collaborate with teammates to develop small craft design solutions.
• Complete engineering assignments accurately and on a timely basis utilizing standard engineering programs.
• Provide onsite mechanical engineering service to US Navy Combatant Craft Division (Code 83) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story.
• Propulsion, fuel, ventilation, and hydraulic systems design.

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active DoD secret security clearance
• B.S. Degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 8 years’ mechanical engineering experience (non-nuclear)
• Broad knowledge of marine engineering and an in-depth knowledge of principles, practices and related technologies
• Knowledge of specifications and regulatory requirements (BS/RINA/LR/ISO/USCG/ABYC)
• Strong time management and organization skills as an independent contributor
• Demonstrated experience solving technical problems using first principles hand calculations and devising new approaches to challenges encountered.
• Proficiency in using industry-standard CAD software, including AutoCAD and Rhino
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Strong analytical skills, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent MS Office skills, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Shipyard or boatyard experience
• Professional certificates of competency in applicable CAD & engineering software

Original Posting

October 6, 2026. For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.