(C) Senior Propulsion Alignment Engineer (Shafting & Reduction Gears)
About The Position
The Senior Propulsion Alignment Engineer serves as the shipyard’s technical authority for propulsion shafting and reduction gear alignment across new construction, repair, and modernization programs. This role owns the mechanical integrity of the propulsion train—from the reduction gear output flange through the shaft line, bearings, seals, and propeller. This is a hands-on, deckplate-driven role, responsible for identifying and resolving alignment risks before they become propulsion failures during dock trials, sea trials, or in service. The position carries the authority to stop work when alignment conditions or installation practices place the propulsion system at risk. What This Role Is (and Is Not) Is: A propulsion risk owner and technical authority Is: A deckplate-focused problem solver Is Not: A junior or support engineering role Is Not: A purely analytical or desk-based position Why This Role Matters When propulsion alignment is done correctly, nothing dramatic happens. When it is not, failures are expensive, schedule-impacting, and highly visible. This role exists to ensure those failures never occur.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
- 15+ years of hands-on shipyard or marine propulsion experience
- Demonstrated expertise in: Propulsion shaft alignment and bearing load analysis Reduction gear installation and integration Large rotating marine machinery
- Strong knowledge of NAVSEA, ABS, and OEM propulsion requirements
- Proven ability to work onsite in active shipyard environments
- Willingness and authority to stop work when propulsion risk is identified
Nice To Haves
- Navy, MSC, or large commercial vessel programs
- New construction and major repair shipyard environments
- Experience serving as the primary or sole propulsion alignment authority
- Familiarity with laser alignment systems and traditional alignment methods
Responsibilities
- Propulsion Shafting & Alignment Authority Act as the final technical authority for propulsion shaft alignment, including: Cold and hot alignment Bearing offsets, slopes, and reaction loads Sag & gap and laser alignment measurements Jacking load evaluation Review, approve, or reject alignment results prior to final coupling and bolt-up Ensure alignment conditions meet OEM, NAVSEA, and classification society requirements
- Reduction Gear Integration Lead technical integration of propulsion reduction gears with shafting systems Review and validate OEM installation and alignment procedures Verify: Gear foundation flatness and chocking Gear seating and mounting tolerances Gear-to-shaft interface geometry Serve as the technical interface with gear OEMs, class, and government stakeholders
- Engineering ? Production Interface Translate design assumptions into executable shipyard practices Identify and resolve conflicts related to: Hull deflection and distortion Foundation tolerances Bearing placement and geometry Shaft straightness and fit-up Provide real-time deckplate support during installation and alignment activities
- Alignment Analysis & Validation Perform or review shaft alignment models and calculations Evaluate thermal growth, hull girder effects, and bearing load distributions Validate alignment assumptions against actual ship conditions Identify design or installation risks early to avoid rework and schedule impacts
- Dock & Sea Trial Support Support propulsion system testing during dock and sea trials Monitor bearing temperatures, vibration trends, and propulsion behavior Diagnose abnormal conditions and recommend corrective actions Support root-cause analysis for propulsion discrepancies and failures
- Risk, Schedule & Warranty Protection Prevent propulsion-related failures, rework, and trial delays Protect the shipyard from warranty exposure and post-delivery claims Maintain technical documentation supporting alignment decisions and approvals Serve as a single point of accountability for propulsion alignment integrity
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
