Submarine Shipbuilding Improvement Engineer

Serco; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Submarine Shipbuilding Improvement Engineer/Analyst to provide programmatic and technical support for Virginia-class submarine efforts. You will identify, plan, and implement improvement initiatives to accelerate operation efficiency, productivity, and safety within the shipyard and related offices in the DC area.

You will lead cross-functional teams, apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, analyze production processes, and drive data‑driven decisions across engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of submarine construction experience.
• Active U.S. DoW Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and some travel to the DC area.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and implement improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, productivity, and safety.
• Analyze submarine construction processes and identify bottlenecks and waste.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute process improvements on schedule and budget.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to reduce cycle times and improve quality.
• Manage improvement projects from conception to completion with stakeholders.
• Collect and interpret data to drive decisions and monitor performance metrics.
• Coordinate with engineering, production, QA, and other departments to align objectives.
• Implement digital tools for real-time production tracking and standardize maintenance processes.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Project management

Team collaboration

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

If you seek a rewarding, high profile and challenging position supporting projects for the US Navy- Serco has a wonderful opportunity for you! This position will be on a dynamic team, supporting Team Submarine. Bring your expertise and collaborative skills to make an impact on our military defense and safety of our sailors.

Must possess an active U.S. Department of War (DoW) Secret security clearance

As the Submarine Shipbuilding Improvement Engineer/Analyst you will be on a dynamic team providing technical and programmatic support to the VIRGINIA Class Submarine Program (PMS450 and the U.S. Navy’s Team Submarine Program Offices at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC! Bring your expertise and collaborative skills to make an impact on our military defense and safety of our sailors.

Serco supports the US Navy as a prime for their Team Submarine SHAPM contract supporting the acquisition of submarines. Submarine Program Offices are responsible for the acquisition of New Construction Submarines and for identifying, assembling, managing, directing, and coordinating the resources required for the R&D, design, construction, Test and Evaluation (T&E), Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E), and Fleet introduction of the U.S. Navy’s newest class of nuclear attack and ballast missile submarines. Additionally, successful improvement of the Class' capabilities is of significant political importance with Congress and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

PMS450 is the acquisition program office for the New Construction of Attack Submarines and Serco-NA is seeking a motivated individual to provide programmatic support to one of our NAVSEA customers. Serco-NA has an opening for and immediately hiring a supporting the Construction Branch at the Washington Navy Yard. This is an opportunity to join our growing team to contribute and influence the Navy's future, premier nuclear submarines.

As the Submarine Shipbuilding Improvement Engineer/Analyst you are responsible for identifying, planning, and implementing improvement initiatives to accelerate operational efficiency, productivity, and safety within the assigned shipyard. This role requires a dynamic individual with strong analytical skills, a passion for process improvement, and the ability to engage cross-functional teams to drive sustainable and immediate change.

This role will support the management and execution of technical and design requirements for new and ongoing submarine shipbuilding programs. Candidates should possess strong engineering or analytical abilities, and acquisition fundamentals, as well as expertise with undersea shipbuilding programs.

In this role, you will:

• Gain an understanding of why it takes so long for the shipbuilder to construct submarines.

• Analyze submarine construction processes.

• Identify inefficiencies, evaluate production barriers.

• Find, if possible, areas of inefficiencies in submarine construction.

• Make recommendations for process improvements in submarine construction.

• Process Analysis and Optimization: Analyze existing Shipbuilder processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Develop and implement strategies to streamline operations and enhance productivity.

• Lean Methodologies and Best Practices: Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies to identify waste, reduce cycle times, and improve overall quality in shipbuilding and maintenance processes.

• Project Management: Lead and manage improvement projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and budget. Coordinate with multiple departments and stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Collect, analyze, and interpret data to drive decision-making processes. Use performance metrics and data analysis to support continuous improvement initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, production, quality assurance, and other relevant departments to implement improvement initiatives and ensure alignment with overall business goals.

• Change Management: Manage changes effectively within the organization by communicating effectively with all levels of staff and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

• Improvement and acceleration tasks could include but are not limited to: Identifying barriers to efficient production and working with the shipbuilder to remove them.

• Implement digital tools for real-time tracking of production activities to increase transparency and efficiency.

• Introduce automated solutions in repetitive and labor-intensive tasks to improve accuracy and free up workforce for high-value activities.

• Enhance material handling processes to reduce waste and improve inventory management.

• Streamline communication channels between departments to reduce delays and improve coordination.

• Implement preventive maintenance schedules to improve equipment reliability and reduce unexpected breakdowns.

• Develop a standardized process for maintenance and repairs to reduce downtime and prolong equipment life.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Must possess an active U.S. Department of War (DoW) Secret security clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial engineering, business administration, or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years of submarine construction experience.

• Proficient in MS Suite products, to include Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

• Ability to be a team player, work well with others and contribute positively to work/team environment while continually seeking ways to enhance contribution to the team.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time and some travel to the DC area may be required.

Additional desired experience and skills:

• Desired active NNPI account and CAC.

• Desired: 10 or more years of experience with Navy acquisition and Submarine Programs.

• Technical knowledge of SUBSAFE program.

• Submarine Engineering experience is a plus.

• Active-Duty Experience in the submarine service as an Engineering Duty Master Chief preferred.

• U.S. Navy experience in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is highly desirable.

• Desired: Experience leading a project and interfacing with an end item customer.

• Desired: Knowledge of Program Management, including the acquisition process, the budgeting process and Navy program execution.

• Recent experience in Team Submarine would be ideal.

• Demonstrate the ability to interact with senior management on complex technical issues.

• Ability to work both in a team environment and independently, and often under short, multiple deadlines.

• Proven experience in a process improvement or operations role, preferably within the maritime or manufacturing industry.

• Understanding Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies Excellent project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively.

• Proficiency in data analysis and ability to interpret complex datasets.

• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to think strategically and execute tactically.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Ability to facilitate and coordinate efforts with key government and non-government stakeholders.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

• Demonstrates strong quantitative, analytical and conceptual thinking skills.

• Must work well within a time sensitive environment.

• Capacity to act as the technical owner for complex components and assemblies, including stakeholder engagement, requirements definition, roadmap management, team co-ordination, design, implementation, sustainment and evolution.

• Capacity to learn and grow individually, while mentoring junior team members effective, building team cohesion and capacity.

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team consisting of systems engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, acquisition professionals, and logistics and sustainment professionals to achieve program outcomes.

• Ability to analyze mechanical designs through review of design artifacts.

• Experience as a project manager.

• Ability to be flexible both in relation to job-specification and schedules.

• Ability to solve problems.

• Familiarity with fluids and thermodynamic analysis.

• Experience working in DoW or DoN environments is preferred.

• Experience supporting a submarine acquisition program.

• Applicants should be highly motivated and well organized with strong project management skills and should be capable of working independently and in a team environment.

• Support in providing engineering manager support for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Department preferred.

• Experience in leading and engaging in weekly meetings with the ship builder and supplier regarding actions and statuses desirable.

• Experience providing review of design specifications, technical issue resolution, and technical documentation.

• Previous NAVSEA and SUPSHIP audit support experience is preferred.

• General knowledge of submarine requirements in engineering.

• The ability to apply technical principles, theories, and concepts, in the field of structural design and