Lead Damage Control Subject Matter Expert (DC SME)

This position is contingent upon contract award

The Damage Control Subject Matter Expert (DC SME) assesses and trains ship's crew on DC organization, equipment condition, and readiness.

The DC SME further provides technical expertise, operational oversight, and maintenance support for Navy damage control systems, equipment, and electrical safety programs aboard surface warships and military auxiliary vessels. This position serves as a subject matter expert responsible for supporting shipboard survivability, personnel safety, operational readiness, and compliance with current Navy damage control and electrical safety requirements.

The DC SME supports maintenance and operational teams responsible for damage control readiness, casualty response capabilities, electrical safety compliance, and associated training initiatives. The position provides technical guidance to ship’s force personnel, maintenance activities, government representatives, and program stakeholders supporting fleet operations and readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for shipboard damage control operations, maintenance activities, readiness assessments, and safety compliance initiatives.
• Serve as subject matter expert for Navy damage control systems, equipment, procedures, and operational doctrine.
• Support planning, execution, and evaluation of maintenance activities involving damage control systems and associated equipment.
• Conduct assessments of damage control readiness, material condition, and operational capabilities aboard warships and military auxiliary vessels.
• Provide technical expertise regarding current Navy damage control doctrine, casualty response procedures, and emergency operations.
• Ensure compliance with Navy electrical safety procedural and material requirements.
• Support electrical safety program implementation, inspections, training efforts, and corrective action initiatives.
• Coordinate with ship’s force personnel, maintenance activities, safety representatives, and government stakeholders to resolve operational and maintenance issues.
• Analyze maintenance data, inspection findings, casualty reports, and readiness trends to identify improvement opportunities and support mission readiness.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineering, maintenance, and damage control personnel.
• Support development and implementation of maintenance procedures, safety documentation, readiness initiatives, and technical reports.
• Prepare readiness assessments, inspection findings, maintenance evaluations, and safety compliance reports for leadership review.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of supervisory experience in analyses, information system operations, and implementation of technical projects . Twenty-five (25) or more years of experience is considered highly desirable.
• Extensive Navy technical management experience on multiple ships
• Extensive experience as shipboard Damage Control supervisor on multiple ships
• Direct operational and damage control  experience, within the last five (5) years, with experience and knowledge of advanced damage control practices and procedures  currently in use by the Navy.
• Minimum of fifteen(15) years of experience serving as part of the damage control organization aboard warships or military auxiliary vessels.
• Direct operational and maintenance experience, within the last five (5) years, involving damage control systems and equipment currently utilized by the U.S. Navy.
• Extensive knowledge of shipboard safety practices, maintenance processes, and operational readiness requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively interface with senior military leadership, civilian personnel, maintenance organizations, and technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting Navy fleet readiness, maintenance assessments, safety programs, or lifecycle sustainment initiatives.
• Experience supporting shipyard maintenance, waterfront operations, or damage control readiness evaluations.
• Familiarity with Navy maintenance databases, safety reporting systems, and technical documentation requirements.
• Experience conducting inspections, training, or technical assessments related to damage control and electrical safety programs.
• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Fire Science, Occupational Safety, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, Naval Science, or a related technical discipline.

Work Environment

• Work may be performed in office environments, shipboard locations, waterfront operations areas, maintenance facilities, or shipyards.
• Position may require travel to fleet concentration areas, operational commands, maintenance facilities, and shipboard locations in support of inspections, maintenance activities, and operational readiness efforts.

Security Clearance

• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or higher) required.