Sustainment/ Modernization SME

TMB has an exciting opportunity for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) S ustainment & Modernization to support the Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive (DPAE) for Modernization & Sustainment within the PAE Maritime Organization. Although officially based in Washington, DC , the SME will be embedded with SURFLANT in Norfolk, VA, supporting fleet-facing sustainment, modernization, readiness, and lifecycle management efforts for surface combatants. The position requires deep familiarity with Navy sustainment strategy, modernization planning, depot and intermediate maintenance, fleet liaising and the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.

• The Modernization & Sustainment SME provides senior-level technical and programmatic support to Modernization & Sustainment, serving as the principal liaison in Norfolk, VA.
• Serve as a primary technical and operational advisor to the DPAE on surface ship sustainment, maintenance effectiveness, and modernization execution.
• Assess fleet sustainment and modernization plans for technical feasibility, affordability, schedule realism, and operational impact.
• Evaluate integration of modernization with maintenance availabilities, including CNO availabilities, depot maintenance, and continuous maintenance strategies.
• Identify risks, gaps, and opportunities related to sustainment performance, modernization backlog, industrial base constraints, and workforce capacity.
• Act as the DPAE representative on-site at SURFLANT, ensuring alignment between policy intent and fleet execution.
• Coordinate with SURFLANT, TYCOM staff, Regional Maintenance Centers (RMCs), and other PAEs and DPAEs.
• Translate fleet readiness and execution challenges into actionable inputs for DPAE decision-making.
• Support surge, contingency, and readiness recovery efforts as required.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on sustainment and modernization inputs to PPBE, POM development, and budget execution.
• Develop or review briefs, white papers, issue papers, and decision memoranda for senior DoD and Navy leadership.
• Support oversight of sustainment and modernization performance metrics, including maintenance completion rates, cost growth, and readiness outcomes.
• Assist in developing courses of action to align modernization priorities with sustainment imperatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders via working groups, understand direct and implied objectives of the DPAE Modernization & Sustainment Leadership including addressing any barriers to success.
• Support short and long-term tasking from the DPAE Modernization & Sustainment Leadership, coordinating as necessary with stakeholders.
• Be attentive to and identify challenges. Participate in meetings and identify areas for improvement.

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must have an active DOD Secret security clearance.
• Master's degree and minimum of 20 years of experience is required.
• Prior Surface Warfare Officer/Engineering Duty Officer with Navy afloat or ashore Command or Major Program Manager experience is required, preferably with significant surface ship experience, particularly in the areas of maintenance, modernization, and sustainment. Knowledge of NAVSEA, its customers, organization, and business objectives is required.

• The contractor should possess strong analytic and strategic thinking skills, and excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively with senior military and civilian leadership (i.e.: Flag level and SES Level).
• MS Suite skill - Specifically Outlook, Power Point, Word, and Excel. High proficiency in the administration of Microsoft SharePoint application, MS Teams and related information technology, collaboration, and data sharing tools.
• Proactive and excellent customer service with significant management and leadership experience.

• Ability to be able to travel reasonable distances (up to ½ mile one way) to meet with customers or other company personnel in the execution of job functions.
• Ability to be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds in a backpack or messenger bag in order to carry a laptop, notebooks, papers, binders and other tools and equipment required in the execution of job functions.

• Proven ability to prioritize rapidly changing tasks and assignments.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical, Dependent Care, Qualified Transportation Expense, and Non-Employer Sponsored Plans
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Several defined retirement plans including 401(K) and Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) Plan