Mechanical Engineer 3

Mechanical Engineer - Aircraft Carrier Modernization & RCOH

Location: Newport News, VA

Job Type: Contract

Industry: Shipbuilding / Defense / Engineering

Job Summary


We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support the research, planning, design, development, and testing of mechanical and electromechanical systems for complex naval shipbuilding and maintenance programs.


The ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical engineering background and experience supporting U.S. Navy aircraft carrier modernization and maintenance , particularly Refueling Complex Overhauls (RCOHs) involving aircraft carrier propulsion plants. Candidates with expertise in steam turbines, reduction gears, complex machinery, fluid mechanics, strength of materials, GD&T, or related mechanical engineering disciplines are highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, plan, design, develop, and test mechanical and electromechanical systems.
• Support the design and development of mechanical equipment, instruments, controls, machinery, and thermal/hydraulic systems.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles to the planning, development, production, and testing of complex systems.
• Support aircraft carrier modernization, maintenance, and overhaul activities.
• Assist with planning and execution of Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) activities.
• Analyze and resolve mechanical engineering problems involving complex machinery and propulsion systems.
• Develop, review, and interpret engineering documentation, drawings, specifications, and technical data.
• Apply engineering principles related to fluid mechanics, strength of materials, fasteners, shock analysis, and GD&T.
• Coordinate engineering activities with cross-functional teams, production organizations, and project stakeholders.
• Manage engineering tasks, schedules, deliverables, and project requirements.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, calculations, and engineering documentation.
• Utilize Microsoft Office applications for engineering analysis, documentation, reporting, and project coordination.
• Support continuous improvement and maintain compliance with applicable engineering, quality, and program requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related engineering discipline.
• Degree must be from an ABET-accredited engineering program .
• Minimum 5 years of relevant engineering experience with a bachelor's degree .
• Strong mechanical engineering and mechanical systems design background.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• Proficiency with:
  
  
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting U.S. Navy aircraft carrier modernization and maintenance programs .
• Experience with Refueling Complex Overhauls (RCOH) .
• Experience supporting aircraft carrier propulsion plants .
• Technical experience with steam turbines .
• Experience with reduction gears .
• Knowledge of fluid mechanics .
• Knowledge of strength of materials .
• Experience with fasteners and mechanical hardware .
• Knowledge of shock analysis .
• Experience with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) .
• Experience with repair of complex machinery .
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems .
• Experience in naval shipbuilding, ship repair, defense, aerospace, or heavy industrial engineering environments.

Education & Experience Equivalency

• Bachelor's Degree: 5 years of relevant experience
• Master's Degree: 3 years of relevant experience
• PhD: 0 years of relevant experience

Critical Skills

• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechanical Systems Design
• Mechanical/Electromechanical Systems
• Naval Shipbuilding
• Aircraft Carrier Modernization
• Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH)
• Aircraft Carrier Propulsion Systems
• Steam Turbines
• Reduction Gears
• Fluid Mechanics
• Strength of Materials
• Fasteners
• Shock Analysis
• GD&T
• Complex Machinery Repair
• Engineering Analysis
• Project Management
• Technical Documentation
• Microsoft Office
• SAP / ERP

Ideal Candidate


The ideal candidate is a Mechanical Engineer with 5+ years of professional engineering experience and an ABET-accredited engineering degree. Candidates with direct experience supporting U.S. Navy aircraft carrier RCOH, propulsion plant modernization, steam turbines, reduction gears, or complex machinery repair are strongly preferred.


The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and project management skills, strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with engineering, production, maintenance, and program teams.