Engineering at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

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Engineering Careers

Advance your career by working on the most advanced systems in the world. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is the place for you whether you are an intern, entry level, mid level, or an experienced engineer.

Position Details

Requirements
- ♦ U.S. Citizen
- ♦ 18 years of age
- ♦ Registered for Selective Service (males born after December 31, 1959)
- ♦ Ability to pass a physical examination
- ♦ Ability to acquire and maintain security clearance
- ♦ Degree from accredited ABET institution
  - Note: The shipyard employs engineers from a variety of disciplines and fields. In many cases a particular engineering degree will qualify an individual for a number of positions at the shipyard. For example, a mechanical engineering degree may qualify an individual for jobs in the field of nuclear engineering, combat systems engineering or facilities engineering. A degree in civil engineering may qualify an individual for jobs in nuclear engineering, naval architecture or crane engineering.
How to Apply
- ♦ Complete a profile in Yello (our talent management system), uploading your resume, uploading your transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and selecting Kittery, ME as your location of interest.
  - Link to our Engineering Talent Community
- ♦ The shipyard employs engineers from a variety of disciplines and fields. In many cases a particular engineering degree will qualify an individual for a number of positions at the shipyard. For example, a mechanical engineering degree may qualify an individual for jobs in the field of nuclear engineering, combat systems engineering or facilities engineering. A degree in civil engineering may qualify an individual for jobs in nuclear engineering, naval architecture or crane engineering.
- ♦ We source all of our candidates through Yello. There is no specific job posting based on position. All of the hiring managers, that have vacancies, search through the eligible candidates in Yello and contact those candidates for interviews. From there a candidate will get more information about the department they are interviewing for a like position description, average workweek, and expectations. We hire all different types of engineers to accomplish our mission. If you have specific questions please do not hesitate to reach out to PNS-Eng-Recruiting.fct@navy.mil.
Tasks
- ♦ Develop plans and technical specifications to maintain, repair and upgrade nuclear powered naval ships.
- ♦ Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports
- ♦ Research, design, and evaluate, mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- ♦ Collaborate with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- ♦ Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- ♦ Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions
Salary
- ♦ Engineering salaries are comparable with those in the private industry.
- ♦ For more information see Office of Personnel Management Salaries and Wages
- ♦ Engineers can start anywhere between a GS-5 to GS-12 depending on experience

Internships Program

SMART Scholarship

Apply to be a SMART SCHOLAR

Radiological Controls Office - Code 105

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Chemical Engineering
- ♦ Civil Engineering
- ♦ Mechanical Engineering
- ♦ Nuclear Engineering
- ♦ Physical Science Technician

Function

Duties
- Provides extensive radiological engineering and technician duties in connection with radiological aspects of design, testing, installation and maintenance of equipment and systems which control and utilize nuclear energy; preparing radiological procedures; plan, coordinate, and review complex and highly technical work packages, instructions and manual.

Occupational, Safety, Health & Environmental Office - Code 106

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Chemical Engineering
- ♦ Civil Engineering
- ♦ Environmental Engineering

Function

Duties
- Reviewing federal, state and local environmental and OSHA regulations; devising and implementing strategies to comply with these regulations while supporting the Shipyard’s mission; obtaining and reviewing analytical data to assess the Shipyard’s compliance status; providing engineering support to construction and production projects from conceptual design through completion and operation; providing assistance to production shops by assessing occupational safety and industrial health aspects of facility work processes; writing procedures, letters, permit applications, articles and other communications in support of the program, representing the Shipyard in regulatory proceedings, interacting with all levels of the Shipyard organization, the Navy, state and federal regulators and the public; etc.

Laboratory - Code 134

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Chemical Engineering
- ♦ Material Engineering
Function
Employee performs engineering functions associated with accomplishing material testing.
Duties
- Reading and interpreting specifications; preparing testing procedures based on specification; working inside of quality system; determining the cause and appropriate corrective actions for identified problems; evaluating new testing equipment and materials; preparing recommendations for modifying specifications based on test data and analysis; etc.

Welding & Non-Destructive Testing Engineering - Code 138

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Welding Engineering
Function
Employee performs engineering functions associated with accomplishing work related to welding operations.
Duties
- Preparing welding procedures and repair instructions based on specifications and laboratory development work; determining the cause and appropriate corrective actions for welding fabrication problems; evaluating new welding equipment and materials; providing on site control and technical overview for critical welding; preparing recommendations for modifying specifications based on test data and analysis; etc.

Engineering and Planning Department - Code 200

Applicable Engineering Disciplines

Function

Duties
- Developing test programs, operating procedures, and technical procedures for restoration and repair of systems and components; performing complex calculations; preparing designs and specifications; providing engineering guidance and support; preparing and reviewing correspondence, memos, technical instructions/reports, estimates, etc.; reviewing and evaluating test results; troubleshooting; etc.

Lifting & Handling Department - Code 710

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Electrical Engineering
- ♦ Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Function

Electrical Duties
- Performing field troubleshooting on crane control and power supply systems and providing technical repair instructions; developing routine maintenance for crane control systems; designing new control systems or improving existing systems; troubleshooting, updating, verifying, reprogramming, and testing crane control software; designing ancillary systems (lighting, fans, air conditioning, etc.) used on cranes; providing technical assistance as necessary to shop electricians and inspectors.

Mechanical Function

Mechanical Duties
- ♦ Crane Engineer:
  - Perform field troubleshooting on crane mechanical and structural systems and components then provide technical repair instructions; develop routine maintenance for crane mechanical systems and diesel engine/generator sets; design new mechanical systems or improvements to existing systems; design new weldments, structural foundations and supports; provide technical assistance as necessary to shop mechanics and inspectors.
- ♦ Rigging Engineer:
  - Perform field troubleshooting on rigging equipment and provide technical repair instructions; develop rigging sketches for lifting of unusual components; design or specify specialized rigging equipment and fixtures; perform structural analysis on existing rigging fixtures and attachments; provide technical assistance as necessary to riggers and shop mechanics.

Production Engineering and Facilities - Code 980

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Civil Engineering
- ♦ Electrical Engineering
- ♦ Industrial Engineering
- ♦ Marine Engineering
- ♦ Material Engineering
- ♦ Mechanical Engineering

Function

Duties
- Provide industrial engineering, process improvement, and project management services to the Shipyard.
- This includes technical guidance to develop equipment and process requirements for current and future workload and capabilities.
- Identify improvement opportunities and apply problem-solving strategies, tools and methods to improve complex processes.
- Conduct Industrial Engineering studies to provide process improvement/Lean training, and facilitate process improvement events.

Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department - Code 2300

Applicable Engineering Disciplines
- ♦ Civil Engineering
- ♦ Computer Science,
- ♦ Electrical Engineering
- ♦ Industrial Engineering
- ♦ Marine Engineering,
- ♦ Mechanical Engineering
- ♦ Nuclear Engineering
Function
Responsible to the Shipyard Commander for all nuclear reactor plant technical matters.
Duties
- Providing technical support related to reactor plant components, instrumentation, and support systems; preparing engineering instructions; troubleshooting; interacting with other engineering disciplines, technicians, equipment vendors and various government organizations.
- Directing testing and operations of a nuclear power plant while on- board a nuclear powered submarine during overhaul; establishing proper conditions for a variety of maintenance conditions in fluid, pneumatic, electrical, electronic, and power systems; directing the testing of repaired or modernized components and systems; troubleshooting equipment problems as they arise; monitoring the performance of other personnel working on the reactor plant; overseeing reactor plant startup and testing procedures following completion of maintenance.