NOV05-01: NAVSEA Leads SYSCOM Team at Auto Worker Recruiting Event
From NAVSEA Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON - Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) returned to Livonia, Mich., to continue recruiting efforts among displaced automotive professionals Oct. 28.

Following a successful Detroit Recruiting Event in April where NAVSEA hired 55 mid- to senior-level professionals, the command returned to the automotive industry hub to lead an expanded outreach effort which included three other systems commands: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command; Naval Air Systems Command and Marine Corps Systems Command.

More than 700 candidates attended two Navy introductory sessions led by NAVSEA Executive Director Brian Persons and visited recruiting booths for NAVSEA and the three other systems commands.

"The American auto industry has a wealth of engineering talent and innovation," said Persons. "Those engineers face many of the same design challenges the Navy does -- aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, use of composite materials, automation and robotics, and of course, computing technologies. And similar to the auto industry, we're pursuing energy efficiency and conservation. The Navy recently commissioned the first energy-efficient Amphibious Assault ship using combinations of new technologies expected to save over $250 million in fuel costs over the life of the ship."

Following the introductory sessions, NAVSEA recruiters collected resumes from applicants interested in transitioning from designing cars to developing and maintaining U.S. Navy ships and systems as members of NAVSEA's civilian workforce.

Lisa Burns, a former Ford Motor Company mechanical engineer with more than 14 years of experience, was hired by NAVSEA as a result of the April recruiting event and encouraged other displaced automotive industry professionals to follow her example in seeking out opportunities working for the Navy. Today Burns works for NAVSEA in the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems as a systems integrator for future combat systems.

"After obtaining technical maturity in automotive-product development, I was looking for an organization that not only had a strong heritage, but one that was evolving their business models to include architecture development using systems engineering principles," said Burns. "At NAVSEA, I have also found personal and technical development through a two-year rotation program for mid-career professionals; comprehensive acquisition training; and one-on-one mentoring with executives. I am building an exciting new career while acquiring and developing innovative products for the U.S. Navy, a global force for good."

NAVSEA hiring managers are currently reviewing collected resumes. Once reviews are complete, NAVSEA, along with the participating commands, will return to the Detroit area to conduct follow-up interviews with applicants qualified for various engineering positions as well as spots in Naval Acquisition Associates Program (NAAP), a two-year developmental program designed to prepare mid-level professionals to transition to careers in Navy acquisition.

With 38 activities and more than 58,000 civilian and military personnel, NAVSEA, acquires, builds, and maintains the U.S. Navy's ships, submarines and combat systems.

"As NAVSEA gradually expands its acquisition workforce, we continue to seek out mid- to senior-career professionals who understand logistics support, financial management, and contracting in addition to engineering. Skill sets also found in the auto industry," said Persons. "Targeted recruiting effort of this quality and magnitude are an opportunity for our organization - along with our partnering system commands - to embrace that talent and help our American economy at the same time."

- NAVSEA -