Change Order Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Who We Are
Founded in 1995, Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative and integrated partner with a national footprint in the marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication and marine services. Evolving over decades from a collection of the best-in-class companies with unique and complementary capabilities on the East and West coasts, our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors. Today we offer advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry and more.
With four shipyards for maintenance and modernization and one for fabrication, including the largest floating dry dock in the western hemisphere, our more than 2,500 dedicated employees across four states - from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego to Norfolk - personify the values of our company. Vigor Marine Group takes pride in being the employer of choice for our employees, who in turn take great pride in their contributions to the communities where they live and work, and to their nation - through their living wage jobs supporting their local economies, and through the word-class maritime and industrial services they provide to further our defense readiness and national security.
PAY RANGE: $97,000 - 110,000
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Change Order Estimator II supports the successful execution of U.S. Navy ship repair and modernization programs by preparing accurate, timely, and fully supported cost estimates and pricing proposals for Requests for Contract Change (RCCs), Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), Undefinitized Contract Actions (UCAs), and other contract modifications. Working closely with Program Management, Contracts, Engineering, Planning, Production, Scheduling, Procurement, and Quality Assurance, the Estimator I develops detailed Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, validates technical scope through ship checks, and supports customer negotiations throughout the proposal lifecycle.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
(This list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work but is representative of the job's overall responsibilities.)

• Review RCCs, contract modifications, engineering changes, growth work, customer requests, and technical direction.
• Interpret NAVSEA work items, Standard Items, 4E Specifications, SIDs, drawings, technical manuals, and contract requirements.
• Perform ship checks and onboard inspections to validate scope, access, production methods, and estimating assumptions.
• Develop detailed bottoms-up labor, material, subcontractor, equipment, testing, temporary service, engineering, planning, and schedule impact estimates.
• Prepare complete Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation, pricing narratives, assumptions, exclusions, and supporting calculations.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Planning, Production, Scheduling, Procurement, Contracts, QA, and Project Management to validate estimates.
• Solicit and evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations.
• Maintain historical estimating data and estimate files for audit readiness.
• Track estimates from receipt through proposal submission, negotiation, award, and implementation.
• Support technical fact-finding meetings and customer negotiations by explaining estimate assumptions, methodologies, production approaches, schedule impacts, and pricing rationale.
• Assist Program Managers and Contracts personnel with proposal revisions, customer questions, and negotiation actions.
• Identify growth opportunities and schedule impacts during project execution.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, NAVSEA requirements, company procedures, and contractual obligations.

JOB SCOPE:
Operates within established estimating procedures while exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making appropriate for an Estimator I. Responsible for developing accurate estimates for assigned work packages and supporting negotiations. Errors in estimating, technical interpretation, or proposal documentation may significantly affect project profitability, schedule, customer confidence, and future business opportunities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None. May coordinate with cross-functional teams and provide technical estimating support during proposal development.
INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
Works closely with Program Managers, Project Engineers, Production Supervision, Planning, Scheduling, Procurement, Contracts, Quality Assurance, Engineering, suppliers, subcontractors, and Government representatives. Represents the company professionally during ship checks, technical reviews, fact-finding sessions, and customer negotiations.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of NAVSEA ship repair and modernization processes.
• Ability to read technical drawings, specifications, work items, and contracts.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate BOEs and cost estimates.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to support customer negotiations and explain estimating methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and Bluebeam; ERP and estimating software preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Marine Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent shipyard experience may be substituted.
• Two (2) to five (5) years of estimating, planning, project engineering, production, quality assurance, ship superintendent, or project management experience in NAVSEA ship repair, shipbuilding, or heavy industrial construction preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:
None required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is conducted in both office and industrial shipyard environments. The employee must be able to board vessels, climb ladders, access confined spaces, wear required PPE, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Local travel between facilities and customer locations may be required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Regular exposure to shipyard production facilities, dry docks, and pier-side operations. May be exposed to varying weather conditions, industrial noise, dust, welding operations, and other shipyard hazards while performing ship checks and supporting production activities.
CITIZENSHIP: Pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires US citizenship.
Vigor Industrial LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are drug, smoke and vape-free workplaces. Prospective employees must pass a drug and alcohol test and background check as pre-employment screening.
Vigor Values
Vigor expects all employees to enhance the atmosphere in which they work by living the Vigor Values every day.
Truth: We seek the truth, and we speak the truthResponsibility: We act on what we know is rightEvolution: We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing worldLove: We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in
At Vigor we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
Medical
RX
Dental
Vision
Life
AD&D
LTD
STD
EAP
Discretionary bonus
Tuition Reimbursement
FSA (Medical, Childcare, Transportation)
10 paid holidays
PTO
401(k)
Vigor and its wholly owned subsidiaries are committed to inclusion and diversity by providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veterans, age, genetics, the presence of a physical or mental condition or disability that can be reasonably accommodated, or any other protected class under relevant laws in the locations we operate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and can be requested with Vigor's Human Resources Department.
In addition to federal law requirements, Vigor complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and non-retaliation in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.