Mechanical Engineer - Shipboard Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

TDI is seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer to support preliminary design activities for the Navy’s future surface combatant ship. This position targets an early-career engineer with approximately 3-5 years of professional experience who is interested in developing expertise in shipboard mechanical systems, engineering analysis, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and naval ship design.

The Mechanical Engineer will contribute to the development, analysis, documentation, and integration of shipboard hull, machinery, and mechanical systems. The successful candidate will receive increasing levels of technical responsibility as experience and proficiency are demonstrated.

The position provides an opportunity to work on technically challenging engineering problems involving complex shipboard systems and to collaborate with naval architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, mathematicians, systems engineers, cybersecurity personnel, government stakeholders, and industry partners.

The position is based at the Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (NSWCPD) and will require periodic travel to government, shipyard, laboratory, and vendor facilities in support of engineering meetings, testing, demonstrations, and technical investigations.

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, 401K, Tuition Assistance, Paid Vacation, Paid Holiday, and Paid Sick Leave.  

Key Responsibilities

The Mechanical Engineer will support the Lead Engineer in the following areas:

• Engineering Analysis and Design
• Perform engineering analyses and calculations supporting shipboard mechanical and machinery systems.
• Assist with the development and evaluation of preliminary designs, system concepts, and engineering alternatives.
• Analyze mechanical and fluid systems and assist in identifying system requirements, interfaces, constraints, and performance characteristics.
• Support development of equipment and system-level technical documentation.
• Review engineering drawings, diagrams, specifications, technical reports, and vendor documentation for technical accuracy and consistency.
• Assist in evaluating existing shipboard systems to identify key components, functions, interfaces, operating characteristics, and system dynamics.
• Apply engineering fundamentals to investigate technical issues and develop practical engineering recommendations.
• Support reliability engineering activities and engineering assessments as directed by the Lead Engineer.

Fluid Systems and Modeling

• Support development and analysis of shipboard fluid and machinery systems.
• Develop or review fluid-system models and engineering calculations used to evaluate system performance.
• Assist with modeling of pumps, valves, piping systems, heat exchangers, tanks, controls, and other mechanical system components.
• Support the development of system models for engineering studies and concept evaluations.
• Use engineering software and computational tools to perform calculations, evaluate alternatives, and communicate technical results.
• Develop proficiency with fluid-system modeling tools such as PIPE-FLO or comparable software as required by project assignments.
• Assist with the documentation and validation of engineering models and assumptions.

Systems Engineering and Digital Engineering

• Support the Lead Engineer in documenting system requirements, functional relationships, interfaces, and system architecture.
• Assist in developing system models and model components for complex HM&E systems.
• Research and organize technical information required to represent existing shipboard systems within modeling and simulation environments.
• Support use of digital engineering and systems modeling tools, potentially including Cameo Systems Modeler, PhoenixModelCenter, BOXARR, Innoslate, or comparable platforms.
• Assist in maintaining engineering data, assumptions, calculations, model documentation, and configuration-controlled technical products.

Technical Documentation

• Prepare engineering memoranda, technical reports, calculations, presentations, diagrams, spreadsheets, and other technical products.
• Support preparation and review of system development plans, specifications, requirements documents, and engineering studies.
• Translate technical information from government, industry, and vendor sources into clear engineering documentation.
• Research technical standards, specifications, regulations, and other engineering references applicable to shipboard systems.
• Assist in documenting engineering processes, methodologies, assumptions, and analytical results.
• Prepare meeting materials and technical briefings under the direction of the Lead Engineer.

Testing, Demonstrations, and Technical Investigations

• Provide engineering support during machinery research, development, testing, and evaluation activities.
• Participate in technical meetings, equipment demonstrations, testing activities, and site visits.
• Assist with development of test plans, data collection approaches, engineering assessments, and test documentation.
• Review test data and assist in identifying trends, anomalies, and potential engineering issues.
• Support technical investigations conducted at Philadelphia-area government, shipyard, laboratory, and vendor facilities.

Program and Team Support

• Participate in multidisciplinary engineering meetings and technical reviews.
• Track assigned technical action items and assist with preparation of meeting minutes and status updates.
• Develop task-level schedules, work plans, and technical approaches for assigned engineering activities.
• Communicate technical findings and project status clearly to the Lead Engineer and other team members.
• Coordinate with other engineers to identify technical interfaces, dependencies, and potential conflicts.
• Support preparation of engineering and acquisition documentation associated with DoD programs.
• Perform other engineering duties as assigned by the Lead Engineer or Project Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3-5 years of relevant engineering experience. Strong candidates with less than two years of experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering principles, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics, and/or machine design.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, technical reports, and equipment documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize technical information and communicate engineering findings clearly in written and verbal form.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently on assigned technical tasks while operating effectively as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Ability and willingness to work in the Philadelphia-area engineering and shipbuilding environment and travel periodically to government, shipyard, laboratory, and vendor facilities.

Clearance & Certifications    

Special Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required; must possess or be able to obtain a Secret clearance within 90 days of hire.  
• Must have a valid US passport or the ability to obtain one upon position acceptance.  
• Due to the nature of our work with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. citizenship is required. Some positions may require the renunciation of any non-U.S. citizenship to obtain and maintain a security clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with shipboard mechanical, machinery, HVAC, piping, propulsion, auxiliary, or other HM&E systems.
• Experience with fluid-system analysis or modeling software such as PIPE-FLO, AFT Fathom, AFT Arrow, or comparable tools.
• Experience with CAD or engineering drawing tools.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other engineering computational tools.
• Familiarity with systems engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), or digital engineering concepts.
• Experience with Cameo Systems Modeler, PhoenixModelCenter, BOXARR, Innoslate, or comparable modeling platforms.
• Experience supporting engineering testing, demonstrations, laboratory activities, or equipment evaluations.
• Familiarity with Navy, DoD, commercial marine, or other applicable engineering standards and specifications.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or progress toward professional engineering licensure.
• Previous experience supporting government or defense programs.

Desired Professional Characteristics

The successful candidate will be a technically curious engineer who is interested in learning how complex shipboard systems operate as integrated systems rather than focusing exclusively on individual components.

The candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong attention to technical detail.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn unfamiliar systems.
• A methodical approach to engineering analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to ask appropriate questions and seek assistance when necessary.
• Ability to work effectively with senior engineers and subject-matter experts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Professional judgment regarding technical assumptions, data quality, and engineering uncertainty.
• Interest in developing expertise in naval ship design, machinery systems, systems engineering, and engineering modeling.

Education and Experience Progression

This position is intentionally structured to accommodate engineers at different stages of early professional development.

An engineer entering the position with limited experience will initially focus on engineering calculations, technical research, documentation, model development, drawing review, and other defined technical assignments under the direction of the Lead Engineer.

As proficiency develops, the engineer will assume increasing responsibility for individual systems, engineering analyses, technical documents, and modeling activities. A successful engineer should ultimately be capable of independently performing defined engineering studies, developing technical products, coordinating with other technical disciplines, and presenting engineering findings to the Lead Engineer and project team.

The position may involve occasional travel in support of technical meetings, testing, demonstrations, engineering investigations, and program activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

TDI Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.