SAN DIEGO, Calif. –
Xander Harmon is a nuclear engineer with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s San Diego Detachment Nuclear Fluid Systems and Mechanical Engineering Division. Harmon was hired directly out of college and has been with the command since June 2009.
Briefly describe your job.
I issue technical work instructions to troubleshoot, repair and replace system components onboard aircraft carriers homeported in San Diego. As the only (Nuclear Fluid Systems and Mechanical Engineering Division) engineer in San Diego, I am the first set of eyes and ears to see or hear about an issue on a ship. I have to efficiently and effectively communicate the issue to the appropriate technical branches.
What do you like about your job; what gives you pride about the job you do?
I like that I am cognizant for the technical requirements of nuclear ships systems and am responsible to hold the technical line. I am proud that we deliver ships back to the Navy in a better condition than they arrived.
How does what you are doing benefit the command and beyond?
With San Diego being a small detachment with two homeported carriers, I think we have the opportunity to be very efficient with our communication, technical assistance and repair work. That efficiency results in timely and cost-effective service to the Navy.
What has been a memorable moment or an encouragement to you about your job at PSNS & IMF?
When a challenge or problem arises, I like being part of a team that pulls together to get the ships underway. At the San Diego Detachment, we don’t have the same resources immediately available that PSNS & IMF Bremerton does, so we often have to wear multiple hats to help get the job done.