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Director, Office of Shipyards and Marine Engineering (Supervisory Naval Architect)


Job Location:

Washington, DC - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 169279 - 169279
Posted: 6 October 2026 (3 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

You will serve as the Director of Shipyards and Marine Engineering within the Maritime Administration (MARAD) providing executive leadership and technical oversight for programs supporting U.S. shipbuilding shipyard modernization and marine engineering initiatives. Lead strategic planning engineering evaluations construction oversight and stakeholder engagement while advancing innovative solutions that strengthen the nations maritime industry and support agency priorities.


Duties

The Director of Shipyards and Marine Engineer:

  • Serves as MARADsprincipal technical advisor on shipbuilding shipyard modernization and marine engineering matters providing expert guidance on complex projects and initiatives affecting the U.S. maritime industry.
  • Evaluates ship designs shipyard modernization proposals and maritime infrastructure projects submitted in support of loan guarantees grants and other federal financial assistance programs.
  • Directs the review of ship construction schedules contract delivery milestones and shipbuilder performance to assess progress identify risks and support informed decision-making.
  • Provides executive oversight of vessel construction shipyard modernization and related engineering activities including cost evaluations progress verification and technical assessments.
  • Leads the evaluation of shipyard grant applications and recommends project funding priorities that advance national maritime capabilities and industry competitiveness.
  • Represents MARAD in engagements with industry leaders regulatory organizations and government partners while providing strategic leadership for programs that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and marine engineering operations.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished engineering executive with extensive experience in naval architecture marine engineering shipbuilding or shipyard operations. They possess a proven ability to lead complex technical programs advise senior leaders manage multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. The candidate excels at strategic planning problem solving and advancing Initiatives that enhance maritime capabilities and operational effectiveness.


Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • You must be a and eligible for consideration.
  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • TIME-IN-GRADE:Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower gradein the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300 Subpart F.
Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must meet the mandatory education and specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the Grade 15 you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14 it must include:

  • Experience applying advanced naval architecture marine engineering andshipyard operations principles to evaluate ship designs oversee vessel construction or modernization projects conduct engineering analysesand provide technical recommendations on maritime programs or initiatives.
  • Experience leading and managing engineering or maritimeprograms involving strategic planning project oversight resource management policy implementation and the supervision of technicalpersonnel to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Experience providing authoritative technical advice and recommendationsto senior executives government officials industry representatives or other stakeholders; including presenting findings negotiating solutionsto issues and preparing written reports analyses or policy recommendations.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):our qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge skills abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Architecture Knowledge of the concepts principles theories and practices used in the planning design construction and maintenance ofbuildings or other structures taking into consideration aesthetic and functional concerns.
  • General Engineering Knowledge of the concepts principles and theories of engineering and their practical applications.
  • Leadership Influences motivates and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
  • Oral Communication Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  • Written Communication Writes in a clear concise organized and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional philanthropic religious spiritual community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions please click on the following link: applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable the program must: (1) lead to a bachelors degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer soil mechanics or electronics. OR

B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) Engineer in Training (EIT)1 or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g. State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example an applicant who attains registration through a State Boards eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States the District of Columbia Guam and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in an appropriate scientific field e.g. engineering technology physics chemistry architecture computer science mathematics hydrology or geology may be accepted in lieu of a bachelors degree in engineering provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience e.g. in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official but must show that you meet the stated education requirements including specific major or class requirements.

ENGINEERS: If you are applying to an engineering position and are qualifying based on possessing a current Professional Engineer (PE) license or passing the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam please provide a copy of PE license or written documented proof of passing the EIT.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Actprohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicants criminal history recordbeforethat individual receives a conditional offer of employment.In accordance with5 U.S. Code 9202(c)and5 C.F.R 920.201certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act.Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at. To learn more please visit our page at:The Fair Chance to Compete Act US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


Required Experience:

Director