Mechanical Engineer

NDI Engineering•Philadelphia, PA

53d•$60,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

NDI Engineering is seeking a Mechanical Engineer—ranging from recent graduates to journeyman-level professionals—to provide critical systems engineering and machinery support for a major naval acquisition program. In this role, you will work in direct support of the Ship Design Manager at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), playing a key part in the review, development, and integration of ship specifications and production deliverables. This position bridges technical engineering analysis, cross-disciplinary coordination, and direct program support to ensure ship systems meet stringent performance, safety, and operational standards. This is an in-person position located in the Philadelphia area, supporting programs at NSWCPD and interfacing with shipyard facilities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
Open to entry-level candidates (recent engineering graduates) up to journeyman-level engineers (3–7+ years of relevant experience).
Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and rotating machinery (gas turbines, gearboxes/transmissions, propulsion).
Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate engineering drawings, schematics, technical specifications, and design reports.
Ability to review reliability data, identify trends, and conduct root-cause/risk analysis on underperforming components.
Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills; proficiency with standard engineering tools and data environments (IDE, MS Office, technical databases).
Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

Support the Ship Design Manager across the acquisition lifecycle for specialized craft and ship platforms, focusing heavily on ship machinery systems, contract deliverables, and risk assessment.
Deliver mechanical and systems engineering support, review production deliverables, and manage machinery design team efforts across critical mechanical and propulsion systems.
Perform technical reviews of construction and equipment drawings, draft contract specification redlines, coordinate technical feedback across subject matter experts, evaluate reliability data, and observe testing events.
Develop, review, and update ship specifications, program and technical requirements, and associated technical artifacts in direct support of the Ship Design Manager.
Review Ship Building / Ship Super Craft (SSC) production contract deliverables within an Integrated Data Environment (IDE), formulate technical responses, and coordinate comment workflows. Deliverables include construction drawings, equipment drawings, design reports, obsolescence reports, and Requests for Waiver or Deviation (RWDs).
Prepare production contract requirement redlines and technical rationales to support formal contract modifications.
Coordinate machinery design team efforts across core mechanical and electrical subsystems, including gas turbines, transmissions, lift fans, propellers, and electrical distribution systems.
Serve as a technical liaison between the shipyard, system engineering managers, and machinery design team members. Communicate Subject Matter Expert (SME) findings, concerns, and recommendations to design team and program leadership.
Witness test events on-site or at vendor/shipyard locations; document progress, technical observations, and operational concerns.
Identify technical risks, prepare comprehensive risk assessments, and analyze reliability data to pinpoint data flaws or underperforming systems and components.