Mr. Nigel C. Thijs - Technical Director, Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia
Mr. Nigel C. Thijs serves as the Division Technical Director (TD) for Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD). As the senior civilian, he provides executive leadership for and stewardship of over 2,800 Navy civilians who deliver solutions to the Fleet with technical and business excellence. Mr. Thijs leads research, development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, system integration, in-service engineering, and fleet support for surface and undersea vehicle machinery, ship systems, equipment, and material. He oversees over 100 labs and test facilities at the NSWCPD laboratory, maintains business and technical capabilities, and ensures competency alignment between the Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) headquarters, and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) elements. He assumed his current duties upon selection in October 2022 before his appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in December 2022.
Before his current position, Mr. Thijs served in various senior leadership positions at NSWCPD. He served as Comptroller, responsible for fiscal oversight of an annual budget of $1.4B, and led strategic budget, accounting, audit, and employee services functions at the Division. His culture and business process improvements resulted in the first ‘Satisfactory – Low-Risk’ financial rating of NSWCPD by the NAVSEA Inspector General. Mr. Thijs contributed to the Columbia Class Compatibility Test Facility as Director – Business Financial Division, where he led significant change in procurement execution. He also served as Head – Machinery Research, Logistics, & Ship Integrity Department, providing technical leadership to over 500 government personnel in logistics and technical authority execution across the engineering spectrum.
Before senior leadership, Mr. Thijs served as Director Fleet Modernization Division at NSWCPD, overseeing the execution of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) system and component modernization and improved alteration integration with public and private shipyards.
Mr. Thijs began Federal service in 2006 as an engineer with NSWCPD supporting in-service engineering, design, and alterations, following four years supporting DON as a contractor.
Mr. Thijs holds an M.S. in Program Management from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), a B.E. in Marine Engineering from the State University of New York Maritime College, and has formal education in both Strategic Leadership and Advanced Acquisition. He is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and is DAWIA Level III Certified in Engineering.
Mr. Thijs is a DON Bridging the Gap Leadership Development Program alumnus. His award highlights include the NAVSEA Warfare Center Transformation Award, NSWC Program Manager of the Year Award, and a joint Flag/SES Letter of Appreciation by the Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Command, and Executive Director for Surface Warfare for his contributions to Surface Team One and positive impact on Surface Navy Readiness.