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Director Shipbuilding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SHIPBUILDING SPECIALIST

Bremerton, WA · On-site +1

$83K - $130K/yr

Must participate in the direct deposit pay program. * New employees to the Department of the Navy ... The selectee must be willing and able to work onboard ships. * The selectee must be willing and ...

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Director Shipbuilding information

What does a Director of Shipbuilding do?

A Director of Shipbuilding oversees the entire process of designing, constructing, and delivering ships for commercial, military, or private use. They manage project timelines, budgets, regulatory compliance, and coordinate teams of engineers, architects, and shipyard workers. Their responsibilities often include client communication, contract negotiation, and ensuring that all safety and quality standards are met throughout the construction process. The Director plays a crucial leadership role in guiding the shipyard's strategic direction and ensuring successful project completion.

What is the difference between Director Shipbuilding vs Project Manager Shipbuilding?

AspectDirector ShipbuildingProject Manager Shipbuilding
CredentialsRelevant engineering or management certifications, industry experienceProject management certifications (PMP), engineering background often preferred
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, high-level decision makingManages individual shipbuilding projects, coordinates teams, ensures project delivery
Employer & Industry UsageShipbuilding companies, defense contractors, large maritime firmsShipyards, naval contractors, maritime industry

The main difference is that the Director Shipbuilding focuses on strategic oversight and high-level management across multiple projects, while the Project Manager Shipbuilding handles the day-to-day management of specific shipbuilding projects. Both roles require relevant industry experience and certifications, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Shipbuilding, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Shipbuilding, you need extensive experience in naval architecture, marine engineering, and project management, often backed by a relevant engineering degree and significant leadership experience. Familiarity with ship design software (such as AutoCAD or ShipConstructor), scheduling tools, and safety/regulatory standards (like SOLAS or IMO) is essential. Strong leadership, negotiation, and strategic communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing stakeholders. These skills ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of complex shipbuilding projects while maintaining safety and quality standards.

What are the main challenges faced by a Director Shipbuilding when managing large-scale projects?

A Director Shipbuilding often encounters challenges such as coordinating multiple departments, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and managing tight project timelines. Balancing cost control with quality and dealing with supply chain disruptions are also common issues. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential to align cross-functional teams and address unforeseen obstacles to keep complex shipbuilding projects on track.
More about Director Shipbuilding jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Shipbuilding jobs? Cities with the most Director Shipbuilding job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Shipbuilding jobs? The most popular types of Shipbuilding jobs are:
What states have the most Director Shipbuilding jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Shipbuilding jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Shipbuilding job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
SHIPBUILDING SPECIALIST

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 371 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a SHIPBUILDING SPECIALIST in the Industry Management Department of DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY.
The Secretary of Defense has ordered a department-wide hiring freeze subject to certain limited exceptions. This position is subject to the DoD hiring freeze. Offers of employment related to this vacancy announcement will not be executed until the position has an approved exemption.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will develop repair specifications and government estimates in support of various shipbuilding contracts.
  • You will review and evaluate contractor proposals for the purpose of providing input or negotiating labor and material costs.
  • You will plan the repairs, do research and procure materials, estimate man hours and material requirements, and negotiate final tasking in order to accomplish completion of repairs in a timely manner.
  • You will monitor contractor's cost control systems during contract performance and recommend cost approval or disapproval.
  • You will review contract specifications, drawings, technical manuals, and design test requirements to determine and evaluate contractor compliance, progress and work quality.
  • You will serve as a Shipbuilding Specialist in the Department of Navy to include work sites of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Generally, current federal employees applying for GS jobs must serve at least one year at the next lower grade level. This requirement is called time-in-grade. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • This may be a bargaining unit position.
  • You may be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • You may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators and safety shoes continuously for the duration of the work shift.
  • Work may be performed in areas where potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present (e.g. fumes, dust, heat, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and chemicals). You may be required to participate in medical surveillance programs.
  • This position may require exposure to high noise levels.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • This position may be subject to work an uncommon tour, including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet mission requirements. Overtime or night differential pay and/or unusual duty hours may be required.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current valid United States driver's license.
  • This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Acquisition Functional Area and category assigned to the position is required within established category timeframes.
  • This may be a Drug Testing position. If so, successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required.
  • A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You may be subject to random drug testing.

Qualifications
For the GS-11: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing evaluations and surveillance of shipbuilding or ship repair contracts to assure conformance of products and services to contractual and specification requirements.
For the GS-12: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector planning and executing evaluations or surveillance of shipbuilding or ship repair contracts to determine and assure conformance of products and services to contractual and specification requirements.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.
Education
In lieu of specialized experience, you may qualify with the following education or combination of both education and experience:
For the GS-11 level only, education may be substituted for experience as follows:
Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
Successful completion of three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree
OR
Successful completion of an LL.M. degree that is related to the position being filled. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/federal-occupations-by-college-major/
OR
A combination of experience and graduate education as described above that equates to one year of experience. The percentage of required education plus the percentage of required experience must equal one hundred percent.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if qualifying using education. See Required Documents for additional information.
Additional information
Salary is based on geographical location and is subject to change with the annual local wage surveys in accordance with the provisions of 5 CFR Part 532 for all employees whose official duty station is located within the geographic boundary of the wage area definition. For more information please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule/
SALARY:
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard:
WA: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2026/SEA.pdf
CA: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2026/SD.pdf

Vacancies will be filled for PSNS and IMF at the following locations:
Naval Station Everett, Everett, Washington
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
San Diego Detachment, San Diego, California
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
Vacancies filled from this announcement may be filled at any grade level listed.
If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
Temporary promotions may be extended up to 5 years at the discretion of management and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Temporary actions taken under this announcement may be made permanent without further competition.
Temporary actions taken under this announcement may be terminated at any time before the established not-to-exceed date.
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.
Applicants rated ineligible on this vacancy announcement need to reapply and update their application package to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Applicants selected and hired through this vacancy announcement need to reapply to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.
Referral lists will be issued on an as-needed basis as vacancies occur.
All eligibility, qualifications, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the referral cut-off date.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
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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.
Benefits
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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.

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