Field Service Engineer

About the Role

The Ship's Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Program is the Navy's flagship Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) system, installed on U.S. Navy ships, Coast Guard platforms, foreign navies, and shore sites. NIWC Atlantic serves as the In-Service Engineering Agency (ISEA) responsible for lifecycle support, including engineering, requirements analysis, testing, technical writing, fleet technical support, training, procurement, configuration management, production, warehousing, drafting, and repair. This role ensures deployed SSEE systems and Navy operators are positioned for success against national adversaries.

• Apply critical thinking and organizational expertise to plan and execute installation and modification of systems on U.S. Navy surface combatants, special mission platforms, Military Sealift Command ships, and shore installations.
• Communicate and coordinate with ISEA leadership, PMW-120 representatives, NAVSEA representatives (e.g., Dahlgren, shipyards, type commands), and fleet customers electronically and in person.
• Represent the U.S. Government in high-visibility, high-priority tasks.
• Manage and document technical actions and support requests using tools like JIRA, CMPro, and Navy-wide enclaves such as the Navy Data Environment (NDE).
• Shepherd engineering changes through complex oversight and approval processes while refining interpersonal skills to keep plans on track.
• Track and manage long-lead-time material and government-furnished material to meet deadlines for new ship builds or alterations.

Responsibilities

• Apply critical thinking and organizational skills to plan and execute system installations and modifications.
• Coordinate with leadership, representatives, and fleet customers professionally.
• Manage technical actions and support requests in databases like JIRA and CMPro.
• Update and alter ship drawings and design documents in Navy-wide enclaves.
• Shepherd engineering changes through approval processes.
• Track and manage long-lead-time material and government-furnished material.

Requirements

• Secret clearance required to start; must be eligible to obtain TS/SCI.
• 6–8 years of experience with shipboard (or submarine) systems installation and alterations.
• Field experience managing installation, integration, and alteration efforts for DOD and NIWC.
• Proficiency with MS Office and tools like Adobe Pro for reviewing and redlining drawings.
• Familiarity with Verification and Validation (V&V) of drawings to prepare Ship Installation Drawings (SIDs).
• Understanding of MIL-STD requirements, Information Assurance (IA), and industry-standard formats for sharing drawings and data.
• Ability to quickly familiarize yourself with complex systems and associated processes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Logistic experience.

Candidates with a strong technical and fleet installations background, familiarity with SSEE, RTSO, and CCOP systems, processes, and capabilities will be given preference.

Desired Skills

• In-depth familiarity with USN ship classes, SSES spaces, and related installation processes.
• Hands-on experience with RF systems, cabling, processing, and networks.
• Experience with SIDs and the Liaison Action Report (LAR) process.
• Existing experience with Navy NDE, NIWC, CMPro, and Naval Lift JIRA/Confluence.
• Experience tracking material needs (e.g., GFM) in JIRA and Excel.
• Experience with purchasing and receiving long-lead-time materials.
• Experience working in shipyards for installations, backfit, or maintenance oversight, including shipboard and shipyard security and safety requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of RF spectrum, signals, Electronic Warfare (EW), and related installation considerations.
• Navy Afloat SIGINT experience.
• Experience with Signal Intelligence and IO/ISR programs of record, including SSEE Increment E/F, Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP), or Real-Time Spectrum Operations (RTSO).

Clearance

U.S. citizenship and a Top Secret/SCI security clearance are required.

Travel

5% travel required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Life insurance.
• Vacation and sick paid time off (accruals increase with role and years of service).
• 11 paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.