Program Manager III - Shipbuilding Subcontracts

Founded in 1995, Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative and integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. Evolving over decades from a collection of best-in-class companies, our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make us a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors. Today we offer advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more.

With four shipyards for maintenance and modernization and one for fabrication—including the largest floating dry dock in the western hemisphere—our more than 2,000 dedicated employees across four states personify the values of our company. Vigor Marine Group takes pride in being the employer of choice for our employees, who in turn take great pride in their contributions to the communities where they live and work, and to their nation.

About the Location

Vancouver, Washington is surrounded by forests, rivers, and mountains and is a top destination for outdoor lovers. It has a mild climate with four seasons, mild winters, and warm summers, making it an attractive city in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is more affordable than its neighbors, Portland and Seattle, and has no state income tax. It is a vibrant city full of restaurants, shops, and parks, known for its walkability, historic charm, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Vancouver has garnered awards including Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US” and Niche’s rankings for Best City for Outdoor Activities and Healthiest Place to Live in America. Healthcare is the city’s largest employer, followed by manufacturing and technology.

About the Role

The Shipbuilding Subcontractor Program Manager oversees planning, coordination, and execution of all subcontracted work supporting new-construction vessels—from initial fabrication through delivery, sea trials, post-delivery support, warranty, and sustainment. The role ensures subcontractor activities align with Vigor Marine Fabrication operations and overall production flow. Serving as the primary interface between shipyard program teams and subcontractors performing specialized work (structural, piping, electrical, propulsion, machinery, and systems integration), this position is accountable for subcontractor performance across cost, schedule, quality, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead subcontractor execution from award through vessel delivery, serving as the main liaison between subcontractors and shipyard teams to ensure clarity of scope, alignment with ship specifications, and performance against cost, schedule, and quality goals.
• Integrate subcontractor work into the ship construction plan, coordinating fabrication, module construction, outfitting, and shipboard installation, ensuring smooth multi-trade sequencing with structural, pipe, electrical, mechanical, and systems integration teams.
• Align subcontractor activities with the Integrated Master Schedule and key production milestones (block erection, launch, trials, delivery, sustainment), tracking schedule performance and supporting mitigation plans when risks arise.
• Draft, issue, and manage subcontracts and purchase orders; ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and flow-down requirements; handle modifications, invoices, funding, audit-ready documentation, and supplier compliance.
• Provide subcontractors with current drawings and specifications, coordinate engineering changes, and maintain configuration control and adherence to technical baselines.
• Ensure subcontractors receive required materials and equipment, monitor material availability, and identify risks that could impact construction milestones.
• Monitor subcontract cost performance, manage scope adjustments and modifications, review progress reports, validate milestones, and support financial oversight.
• Ensure subcontractor work meets shipyard quality standards, regulatory requirements, and contract specifications; coordinate inspections, testing, acceptance, and compliance with oversight authorities.

Requirements

• Either a bachelor’s degree in engineering, marine engineering, naval architecture, program management, or related field, or equivalent professional experience in Shipbuilding Program Management and an associate’s degree.
• 15+ years of experience in shipbuilding, marine construction, or large-scale industrial manufacturing programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing subcontractors or suppliers supporting complex construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of shipyard new-construction processes (fabrication, block assembly, outfitting, system installation).
• Understanding of ship construction sequencing and multi-trade production flow.
• Experience managing subcontractors performing specialized shipbuilding work.
• Knowledge of FAR/DFARS and subcontract flow-down requirements.
• Proven contract negotiation and subcontract administration experience.
• Ability to manage SCARs and support audit/compliance activities.
• Effective coordination across engineering, planning, production, procurement, and quality.
• Familiarity with shipyard milestones (launch, trials, delivery).
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with U.S. Navy or commercial vessel new-construction programs.
• Familiarity with EVMS or ship construction performance tracking.
• Experience with Primavera P6, shipyard scheduling tools, or production planning systems.
• Knowledge of module construction, advanced outfitting, and IPTs used in modern shipbuilding.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires US citizenship. Vigor Industrial LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are drug, smoke, and vape-free workplaces. Prospective employees must pass a drug and alcohol test and background check as pre-employment screening.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage
• Life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discretionary bonus
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical, Childcare, Transportation)
• 10 paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401(k) retirement plan

Pay

$160,000 – $196,000