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Senior Nuclear Propulsion Engineer

We are seeking a Senior Nuclear Propulsion Engineer to support a ship design program.  The engineer will provide technical expertise in nuclear propulsion systems and support their integration into next-generation naval platforms.

This is a hands-on technical role that will work closely with engineering, program management, government, shipbuilder, and industry teams to evaluate requirements, identify technical considerations, and support sound design decisions throughout the ship development process.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience with U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion systems, along with a strong understanding of nuclear power plant operations and the engineering considerations associated with integrating a nuclear propulsion plant into a naval platform.

Experience with early-stage ship design, systems integration, or major naval acquisition programs is valuable, but candidates with strong nuclear propulsion or nuclear engineering backgrounds from other relevant Navy programs are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a senior engineer supporting nuclear propulsion integration.
  • Provide subject matter expertise on nuclear propulsion systems, plant operations, and related engineering requirements and constraints.
  • Work with cross-functional engineering teams to evaluate nuclear propulsion requirements and their impact on overall ship design and performance.
  • Support integration of nuclear propulsion systems with overall ship architecture, including:
    • Electrical power architecture
    • Structural integration
    • Space and arrangement considerations
    • Fluid system interfaces
    • Control systems
    • Secondary power system integration
  • Provide technical guidance regarding:
    • Nuclear plant operational capabilities and limitations
    • Crewing requirements
    • Plant loading profiles and their relationship to ship performance
    • Secondary power system operations and sustainment
  • Collaborate with Newport News Shipbuilding and other engineering and industry partners on ship integration and construction-planning considerations.
  • Participate in technical meetings and provide engineering analysis and recommendations to support program objectives.
  • Support the engineering team in evaluating technical issues, requirements, design tradeoffs, and integration challenges.
  • Communicate technical information related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion programs while ensuring compliance with applicable security and classification requirements.
  • Support interactions with Navy, Naval Reactors/NAVSEA 08, shipbuilder, and other government and industry stakeholders as needed.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
  • Approximately 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, with greater experience considered based on the candidate's background.
  • Significant experience with U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion systems, nuclear power systems, or closely related naval nuclear engineering.
  • Strong understanding of nuclear power plant operations, engineering requirements, and system interfaces.
  • Experience supporting engineering, systems integration, testing, operations, design, or major naval acquisition programs.
  • Strong technical communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with nuclear propulsion systems, particularly Ford-class (CVN 78).
  • Experience supporting early-stage ship design, ship integration, or concept development.
  • Experience with Naval Reactors/NAVSEA 08, NAVSEA, Newport News Shipbuilding, or other Navy nuclear propulsion organizations.
  • Graduate of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program.
  • Former Engineering Duty Officer (EDO), senior Navy nuclear propulsion leader, or other significant Navy nuclear engineering experience.
  • Prior service aboard a Ford-class aircraft carrier.
  • Experience with nuclear propulsion testing, testing and evaluation, plant operations, or nuclear systems engineering.
  • Experience supporting major U.S. Navy shipbuilding or acquisition programs.

About Tridentis

Tridentis is a privately held small business focused on providing naval architecture, marine engineering, program management and logistics services to the U.S. Navy, USCG and Military Sealift Command (MSC) in addition to other federal agencies. Tridentis is headquartered in Washington DC and has offices in Norfolk VA, Bremerton WA and Kona HI. In addition to providing engineering services to the federal government, Tridentis has a spin off company, Advanced Marine Vehicles that is entirely focused on designing, developing and building autonomous marine vehicles. Tridentis is committed to maintaining an agile company, with a flat organizational structure while achieving long term consistent growth.

Category: Engineering Design

Information
NOTE: The following description is a GENERAL Overview of this career and not a description of a particular job posting.

Engineering Design workers are typically responsible for the generation of panel layouts, sub assemblies, schematics, wiring diagrams, wire run lists, component selection, etc. for electrical systems of large scale industrial machinery. The main tool for design documentation is AutoCAD.

Job Functions:
•Assure drawings and layouts are accurate, complete, and finished in a timely manner.
•Generation and maintenance of bill of materials and parts lists.
•Applying Engineering design techniques and utilize calculations in support of design/experimental activities.
•Develop electrical wiring schematics, sub-assembly drawings, and bills of material for control system design.
•Identify and solve technical engineering problems.
•Provide or assist in the creation of technical descriptions of operation, equipment checkout procedures, technical reports, user manuals and other documentation as required.
•Release components and system designs for manufacture of orders.
•Estimate man-hours required for tasks and report progress on assigned tasks.
•Provide plans, schedules, and estimates for technical programs.
•Work in conjunction with other groups to organize and plan assigned projects.
Education
A BSEE / BSET or Two Year Electrical Technical Degree is typically required.
Qualifications
1-5 years experience in CAD electrical design related to ship repair/maintenance using recent versions of AutoCAD
Must be able to read, interpret and produce engineering schematics, wiring diagrams, point-to-point drawings, and engineering fabrication drawings
Must be able to work aboard vessels, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces
Must be a team player
Must be flexible in reference to project priorities
Must be willing to assemble technical manuals