Director of Project Engineering

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.•Panama City, FL

About The Position

The Director of Project Engineering for Commercial Programs is responsible for managing and directing the tasks of the Project Engineers. Project Engineers coordinate “matrixed” support among various Engineering disciplines, with Program Management, Production, subcontractors, and other assigned personnel. The Director of Project Engineering develops project schedules, reviews proposed changes, formulates technical solutions, and accurately estimates the resources, time, and effort (labor and materials) required for new projects and changes. Once projects are authorized for execution, the Director ensures that tasks within the Engineering Department’s integrated schedule are executed as planned, prepares regular status reports, and drives projects to successful completion.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in an engineering capacity.
Strong ability to read and interpret technical documents, regulations, and professional publications.
Proven communication skills with senior management and cross-departmental leaders.
Proficient in interpreting written, verbal, and diagrammatic instructions.
Strong understanding and working knowledge of FORAN or similar ship design software (e.g., AVEVA, CADMATIC, or Shipconstructor).
Intermediate to advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6).
Ability to solve practical problems and work effectively in situations lacking standardization.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrate attention to detail, and work collaboratively in a team setting.
Experience working with regulatory body requirements in the shipbuilding industry (e.g., ABS, 46-CFR, IEEE, USCG).
Ability to effectively present information to senior management, regulatory bodies, and clients.
Extensive experience planning and executing projects with teams of 20 or more.
Deep understanding of marine vessel engineering and design processes.
Strong knowledge of engineering drawings, specifications, and design documentation.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture from an ABET-accredited institution is required (advanced degree preferred).
At least 6 years of directly applicable Project Engineering or Project Management experience is also required.
Integrity, flexibility/adaptability, initiative, strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Maintain strict confidentiality of all information related to Eastern Shipbuilding Group operations.

Responsibilities

Communicate regularly with the Director of Engineering to coordinate the availability and release of construction drawings and other technical deliverables, in alignment with the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and program requirements.
Develop task-based execution plans for major projects (>1,000 hours), with clearly established Estimated Completion Dates (ECDs) for each task. Ensure these plans are incorporated into the Engineering Department’s integrated schedule.
Provide the VP of Engineering or Director of Engineering with: A schedule of all assigned tasks, including budgeted hours and required completion dates. Active tracking and daily reporting of any deviations, risks, or required schedule changes.
Develop engineering estimates for task durations, labor hours, and material budgets.
Notify supervisors and relevant managers of any delays or complications, proposing corrective actions to recover schedule and budget.
Lead meetings, as required, to resolve obstacles affecting assigned or related projects. Participants may include personnel from Program Management, Production, Project Engineering, and other engineering functions, as well as internal or external stakeholders.
Lead meetings with internal engineering teams and external customers (e.g., ESG clients) to provide project status updates and support as needed until completion.
As the primary point of contact (PC) between Program Teams and Production, the Director of Project Engineering must remain informed and maintain all information necessary to meet contract requirements, which may include: Managing compliance, preparation, and scheduling of deliverables. Preparing and providing engineering support for project reviews. Attending program and production meetings to ensure proper prioritization of engineering activities across disciplines. Coordinating engineering support for any contract-related issues during project execution. Developing and implementing procedures and methods to ensure contract compliance and quality standards.
Establishing and maintaining processes, training, and procedures for assigned Project Engineers.
Managing and interpreting engineering hours used versus budget for each project.
Acting as the main engineering point of contact for Program Management and/or client, representing Project Engineering in meetings with the USCG or Classification Societies (CLASS), and coordinating with the VP of Engineering regarding resource needs for such meetings.
Working with the VP of Engineering and Director of Engineering to manage subcontractors and outsourced engineering firms used for the program—overseeing schedule, deliverables, reporting, and issue resolution.
Collaborating with Engineering leadership to identify program issues affecting detailed engineering development and implementing mitigation plans as required. Areas of focus include: Weight Control Program VFI Status and Issues Vendor Integration with Detailed Engineering Configuration Change Management (status and implementation) Material Validation Technical Specification priorities and development
Analyze resource availability, plan staffing additions, and participate in interviews and selection as required.
Work with Group Managers to collect and process program information and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; providing feedback to homeroom supervisors for annual assessments; and supporting hiring and personnel development.
The Director will carry out supervisory duties in accordance with company policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, training, and scheduling personnel.