Principal Engineer

BAE Systems•Norfolk, VA

3d•$107,359 - $182,510•Onsite

About The Position

BAE Systems is hiring a Principal Engineer to primarily support its Norfolk, Virginia site, with occasional support in San Diego, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. The role provides marine engineering and technical support for maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on U.S. Navy surface combatants and commercially classed ships. It includes technical oversight of production, planning, and maintenance activities, as well as designing technical solutions for shipyard work. The engineer interprets design specifications to define scopes of work, serves as a technical liaison with ship owners and government engineers, and guides production trades. The role applies marine, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering principles to challenging repair and modernization availabilities. The engineer collaborates with Ship Superintendents, Project Managers, Craft Supervisors, and Quality Management personnel; identifies applicable specifications, codes, and technical documentation; and prepares reports for customers, BAE management, and trade supervision. Work includes shipboard surveys, production issue assessment, auxiliary and mechanical systems support, structural analysis, equipment alignment, stability and weight calculations, rigging and lifting analysis, mooring and maneuvering plans, drydocking arrangements, and facilities engineering support. The engineer also provides technical guidance, ensures work conforms to plans and specifications and good marine practice, considers safety in engineering and design, supports weapons foundation installation, and monitors new-construction fabrication efforts. The role requires a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and/or Naval Architecture and typically six years of related experience, including shipboard work in design, system integration, and problem solving, or an overall equivalent. The position is full-time and offers a stated salary range of $107,359–$182,510. Regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are offered a range of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan, paid time off, paid holidays, and other leave and programs.

Requirements

Typically, a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and/or Naval Architecture from an accredited university and six years of related experience, including shipboard work in design, system integration, and problem solving, or the overall equivalent.
Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.
Self-motivation and a record of working in a team environment with strong attention to detail.
Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks.
Proficiency in developing and maintaining expertise in CAD software, including AutoDesk Suite products such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Inventor, or equivalents.
Ability to interface effectively with production trades, program management, and customer representatives, including government Project Support Engineers, Maintenance Activity Engineering, and ship’s force.
Familiarity with shipboard systems, equipment, and structure.
Physical ability to access ships, ship compartments, and decks via gangways and ladders, including all vessel spaces and BAE Systems facilities.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical, structural, and piping drawings and fabrication details.
Ability to create engineering documentation using Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, and Access.
Openness to infrequent travel, particularly to support other shipyards.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Nice To Haves

Mechanical engineer.

Responsibilities

Perform marine and project engineering with Ship Superintendents, Project Managers, Craft Supervisors, and Quality Management personnel.
Identify relevant specifications, codes, and technical documentation, and prepare concise technical reports for customers, BAE management, and trade supervision.
Survey assigned shipboard modernization or repair alterations, document processes and progress, and report production issues with recommendations for resolution.
Maintain familiarity with shipboard auxiliary and mechanical systems.
Perform structural analyses, including scantling analysis, section modulus calculations, temporary bracing design, equipment foundation design, and weldment analysis.
Perform equipment alignments and determine spatial relationships using traditional measurement devices and laser range-finding equipment.
Analyze ship trim, list, and stability using curves of form and hydrostatics; monitor stability during overhauls; analyze ballasting, de-ballasting, and defueling scenarios; prepare for docking and undocking; and perform weight and moment calculations.
Model rigging arrangements, calculate sling tensions, and design and analyze lifting lugs and appliances.
Develop heavy-weather mooring plans, ship maneuvering boards, and hydrographic overlays for ship entry to and departure from the plant.
Develop blocking arrangements for drydocking and prepare associated block and drydock loading calculations.
Provide facilities engineering support for the physical plant and shipyard.
Analyze technical issues and provide guidance and recommendations to shops, Superintendents, and Program Managers.
Ensure work complies with plans, specifications, and good marine practice, while considering safety in all aspects of work and design.
Assist with combat systems weapons foundation installation using appropriate alignment techniques.
Support development of and monitor progress on new-construction fabrication efforts.
Interpret design specifications to define scopes of work and serve as a technical liaison with ship owners and government engineers.
Provide technical oversight and support for production, planning, and maintenance activities, and design technical solutions for yard activities.