On-Site Production Support Engineer

Clearance: Active Secret clearance required or ability to obtain

Sayres Defense is seeking an experienced On‑Site Production Support Engineer to support the PMS 325 T‑AO Program in San Diego, CA. This position provides direct waterfront engineering, production oversight, and technical integration support to the On‑Site Assistant Program Managers (APMs) and Technical Director in the execution of Navy fleet replenishment oiler shipbuilding efforts.

The ideal candidate will bring strong shipbuilding expertise, production engineering experience, and the ability to analyze and resolve complex technical and programmatic challenges in a fast‑paced shipyard environment.

• Provide on‑site engineering coordination supporting ECP creation, cost estimates, proposal review, and execution validation.
• Interface with cost engineering, SUPSHIP, MSC, shipyard personnel, and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues impacting design and production.
• Review shipbuilder work packages including Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Liaison Event Dispositions (LEDs), field fixes, drawings, condition reports, trial cards, and test procedures.
• Support production design oversight to ensure compliance with ship specifications and contractual requirements.
• Provide ship surveillance and waterfront engineering inspections as required.

• Identify and analyze engineering and production‑related issues across major ship systems including propulsion, powertrain, auxiliaries, automation, navigation, deck systems, accommodations, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).
• Develop technical courses of action and decision briefs for senior military and civilian leadership.
• Present technical findings and recommendations in both written and oral formats.

• Coordinate resolution of post‑delivery and warranty items.
• Interface with crew, OEMs, shipyard, and post‑delivery teams to support test and trial objectives during availabilities and post sail‑away.
• Assist with Post Delivery Test & Trial events including shakedown availabilities, degaussing events, and other waterfront evolutions.

• Analyze production progress and program risk; provide schedule forecasting and risk mitigation recommendations.
• Support SPPC planning and execution.
• Provide configuration management coordination between hulls, track class specification shortfalls, and support change development.
• Assist in engineering study scope development, execution, validation, and special study coordination.
• Support review and analysis of studies for future PMS 325 ship classes at NASSCO shipyard.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Marine, Mechanical, Systems, Naval Architecture, or related ABET‑accredited discipline).
• Minimum of 5 years of technical operations or shipbuilding experience.
• Experience identifying engineering problems, analyzing alternatives, and developing solutions that meet technical and contractual requirements.
• Experience in shipbuilding processes, schedule and cost analysis.
• Familiarity with Navy or commercial ship design principles and practices.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience presenting technical information to senior leaders.

• Experience supporting DoD/Navy ACAT I programs and NAVSEA acquisition processes.
• Shipyard engineering or shipbuilding program management experience.
• Experience supporting Military Sealift Command (MSC) T‑Ship programs, particularly T‑AO class ships.
• Experience in maritime systems integration.
• Experience working with regulatory, commercial, military standards, and classification society rules.
• Background in maritime education, vessel operations, or prior Navy service.
• Experience with new construction ship design and construction oversight.

Sayres Defense is a leader in defense support services to the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense. We provide engineering, acquisition,…