Senior Structural Engineer Jobs in Groton, CT (NOW HIRING)

Overview
D476 Groton COLUMBIA Construction Support Engineering is seeking driven early‑career engineers who want to jump directly into real engineering work on the deckplate. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your degree immediately, solve practical technical challenges, and gain broad experience supporting construction of the COLUMBIA Class submarines, the Nation's #1 defense priority.
As part of the Construction Support Engineering team, you'll work side‑by‑side with experienced engineers, trades, design teams, ship's management, and operations to help keep the shipyard running safely and efficiently. You'll quickly learn how the design becomes the actual product, building knowledge that typically takes years to acquire.
This position is on third shift, includes shift‑differential pay, and uses a 4×10 schedule with flexible start/stop times-providing stability and predictable time off while supporting a fast‑growing portion of overnight construction.
For new engineers, third shift offers a rare advantage: more autonomy, faster skills development, and greater visibility, because you will often be the first engineering contact when real‑time issues arise on the deckplate. You'll directly influence construction progress and gain systems‑level experience that accelerates your career.
What You Will Do

• Work hands‑on with trade personnel to resolve technical issues
  • Evaluate emergent challenges and develop fast, safe, engineering‑sound solutions
  • Interpret design drawings, specifications, and system requirements
  • Provide direction to trades via CN and TIR UNSAT dispositions
  • Support assembly, testing, certification, and delivery of COLUMBIA Class submarines
  • Perform surveillance of manufacturing, inspection, and testing activities
  • Lead multidisciplinary engineering evaluations with support from senior SMEs
  • Capture lessons learned and help implement process improvements
  • Grow engineering judgment through mentorship, training, and real‑time deckplate experience

Why This Role Is Great for New Engineers

• Immediate hands‑on engineering responsibilities
  • Rapid exposure to multiple disciplines and systems
  • A smaller, tight‑knit third‑shift engineering team with strong mentorship
  • Shift differential pay plus a consistent 4×10 schedule
  • Flexible start/end times to fit personal needs
  • Career‑accelerating visibility through real‑time decision making
  • Opportunity to contribute directly to a once‑in‑a‑career, first‑of‑class submarine program

This role is located in Groton, CT, as part of D476 Construction Support Engineering.
Qualifications
Required:

• Bachelor of Science Degree or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, Structural, Civil, Marine or electrical
• 0-5 years of post graduate engineering experience
• Ability to obtain and mantain a DoD Secret Security clearance or higher is required

Preferred:

• Prior deck plate construction experience is highly desirable
• Familiarity with Electronic Desktop (7G, Work Orders, ELCADD, ERS, etc.)
• Familiarity with Team Center (CR/CN experience)
• Prior US Navy experience

Skills
The ideal candidate possess strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills. Ideal candidate is also highly motivated and be able to perform independently, as well as interact with other groups and organizations in a team environment.
Physical Qualifications
Climbing, Crawling, Kneeling, Light Lifting, Reaching, Stooping, Twisting
Environmental Attributes
Cold, Dry, Hot, Inside, Outside, Wet