Surface Ship Damage Control SME midgrade and senior

Core Services Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Core Services Group is seeking an experienced Mid-Grade and Senior Damage Control Engineer/SME in San Diego, CA. The role focuses on training and improving Sailor proficiency in naval systems. Candidates ideally have extensive Navy damage control experience and must be able to coordinate ship training visits.

The anticipated pay range is $90,000 – $110,000/year based on experience. Security clearance is required, and candidates only eligible if U.S. citizens.

Qualifications

• Fifteen years of supervisory experience in naval damage control.
• Extensive experience in operational and damage control roles within the last five years.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and support fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct training visits to improve Sailor proficiency.
• Compile and provide training resources for ship systems.
• Conduct assessments for equipment and systems aboard ships.

Skills

Damage Control Experience

Supervisory Skills

Operational Management

Navy Standards Familiarity

Education

Undergraduate or associate's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Role Overview

Core Services Group is seeking an experienced Mid-Grade and Senior Damage Control Engineer/SME with experience on U.S. Navy surface platforms to support the Navy Readiness Assistance Training Team (RATT) for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) in San Diego, CA. RATT is a Type Commander (TYCOM) asset employed to provide timely direct support to ships, tailored to the ship's needs and requirements. RATT ship visits are intended to significantly enhance a ship's organic proficiency and capabilities for a discrete period of time as added capability to conduct training, and address material issues. RATT provides proficient subject matter experts to conduct Sailor centric deck-plate training, material review, program auditing, and naval readiness support to enhance overall proficiency and material readiness through recommendations to the ship and staff to enhance CNSP ship's readiness to conduct sustained operations at sea in support of the nation's strategic objectives.

Candidate Profile

An ideal candidate has extensive experience as a U.S. Navy shipboard Damage Control supervisor on multiple surface ships, including direct operational and damage control experience within the last five years.

This position is contingent upon contract award, anticipated for October 2026.

Typical Responsibilities

This position’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Coordinate, schedule, and conduct ship training visits to improve Sailor proficiency in the operation and maintenance of ships systems through targeted training and aiding ship's leadership in assessing material condition and readiness program efficacy.

Compile, curate, develop, and provide training resources (references and curriculum) for ship systems, required programs, technical watchstanding, installed equipment, and maintenance management for use in classroom and deckplate training for ship's force and RATT personnel.

Teach and reinforce sound shipboard operating principles and processes through leadership by example and deckplate training.

Conduct comprehensive material condition assessments for installed equipment, portable equipment, safety gear, ship systems, and ship structure.

Review and assess ship's preventive and corrective maintenance and operating processes and procedures for ship systems, installed equipment, and associated evolutions.

Advise ship's leadership regarding crew proficiency, material condition, maintenance practices, and required program efficacy.

Primary Work Location

Full‑time onsite in San Diego, CA. A candidate located in Everett, WA or Pearl Harbor, HI is less ideal but may be considered.

Anticipated Travel

This position involves up to 35% travel, including travel to overseas/OCONUS locations, in accordance with Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Common travel destinations include, but are not limited to: Everett, WA; Pearl Harbor, HI; Sasebo, Japan; Yokosuka, Japan; and Singapore.

Typical Physical Activity

The ability to work in a variety of shipboard environments (e.g., navigate tight or confined spaces, ladders, hatches, in crew spaces and engineering spaces).

Must be physically able to climb up/down a pilot’s ladder to board/embark and debark a naval vessel underway at sea and stay onboard on a U.S. Naval vessel for days at a time.

Desk/computer work in an office environment and hands‑on technical or instructor work in a waterfront/shipboard environment.

Typical Pay Range

The anticipated pay range for this position in the identified location(s) is $90,000 – 110,000/year. Actual compensation offered will be based upon individual factors, including education, qualifications, and experience.

Security Clearance

SECRET Security Clearance Required: This position requires an active or interim Secret security clearance prior to hire.

Only U.S. citizens will be considered for this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Senior/Team Leader)

At least fifteen (15) years of supervisory experience in analyses, information system operations, and implementation of technical projects relevant to surface ship damage control systems and processes.

Extensive Navy technical management experience on multiple ships.

Extensive experience as shipboard Damage Control supervisor on multiple ships.

Direct operational and damage control experience within the last five (5) years, with experience and knowledge of advanced damage control practices and procedures currently in use by the Navy.

Undergraduate or associate's degree. In lieu of an acceptable degree, seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in a management role may be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Mid‑Grade)

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience as part of the damage control organization aboard a warship or military auxiliary. Direct operational and maintenance experience within the last five years with damage control systems and equipment currently in use by the Navy. Versed in current Navy damage control doctrine and procedures.

Additional Requirements

Proficient with common productivity software including the Microsoft Office suite.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and support fast‑paced operational environments.

Excellent personnel management, working group and team leadership skills as well as working alongside sailors and officers of varying experience and seniority.

Excellent communication skills to include briefing Commanding Officers and other mid‑grade to senior leadership in person and in writing.

Additional Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

At least twenty‑five (25) years of relevant experience is highly desirable.