Waterfront Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Nakupuna Companies is seeking a Waterfront Knowledge Manager to support Surface Team One (ST1) initiatives focused on improving the planning and execution of U.S. Navy surface ship maintenance availabilities. Serving as an embedded member of the waterfront community, this position works directly with Regional Maintenance Centers, Naval Shipyards, Type Commanders, ship's force, and other maintenance stakeholders to identify challenges, capture lessons learned, and improve collaboration across the Surface Fleet.

The successful candidate will serve as the Government's waterfront representative, providing technical expertise throughout maintenance planning and execution while strengthening knowledge management practices that improve organizational learning and fleet readiness. Rather than serving solely as a knowledge manager, this position helps connect maintenance organizations, reduce schedule delays, improve planning decisions, and preserve operational knowledge through effective collaboration and continuous process improvement.

Success in this role is built on developing trusted relationships across the waterfront, understanding how maintenance organizations operate, and translating operational experience into practical improvements that benefit maintenance teams throughout the Surface Fleet.

The following reflects management's definition of key functions for this job and reserves the right to assign additional duties as necessary to meet operational requirements:

• Serve as the Government's waterfront representative supporting the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of U.S. Navy surface ship maintenance availabilities.
• Maintain a regular on-site presence throughout the waterfront by attending pre-availability planning meetings, production meetings, milestone reviews, availability closeout events, and other maintenance engagements while building strong working relationships with Government and industry stakeholders.
• Provide technical oversight, continuity, and advisory support throughout maintenance planning, modernization efforts, and depot maintenance execution.
• Leverage comprehensive knowledge of surface ship maintenance policies and processes to support material readiness and improve maintenance planning and execution.
• Collaborate with Regional Maintenance Centers, Naval Shipyards, Type Commanders, ship's force, and industry partners to improve maintenance planning, execution, and communication across organizations.
• Capture lessons learned throughout maintenance availabilities and facilitate knowledge sharing across ship classes, maintenance organizations, and waterfronts.
• Ensure Maintenance Team compliance with Fleet Maintenance and Modernization policies.
• Provide expertise and continuity to assigned ships and maintenance teams in defining maintenance requirements and managing maintenance activities to maximize readiness.
• Investigate significant incidents affecting cost, schedule adherence, contractor performance, and material support, and develop recommendations for resolution.
• Develop risk-assessed evaluations of new or growth work modifications.
• Perform evaluations and recommend improvements for future modernization planning activities.
• Support efforts to improve maintenance planning by identifying opportunities to accomplish maintenance at the most appropriate maintenance level whenever practical.
• Develop and implement knowledge management strategies that improve collaboration, preserve institutional knowledge, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Assess current knowledge management and SharePoint practices, identifying opportunities to improve information sharing across the maintenance enterprise.
• Support the development of Knowledge Sharing Networks (KSNs) and promote collaboration among maintenance professionals across the Surface Fleet.
• Communicate organizational changes effectively and support user adoption of new systems, processes, and knowledge management practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather feedback, implement best practices, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare reports, executive correspondence, and leadership briefings that communicate maintenance status, risks, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging maintenance and knowledge management practices to recommend improvements.
• Participate in special projects focused on improving maintenance management processes and organizational performance.

• Bachelor's degree; OR
• Associate's degree plus six (6) years of experience; OR
• High school diploma plus twelve (12) years of experience.
• Must have knowledge of surface ship maintenance policies, processes, and strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of the Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual (JFMM).
• Must reside in or near the assigned duty location (San Diego, CA or Honolulu, HI) and be able to attend on-base meetings multiple times per week, as required.

• Experience supporting Regional Maintenance Centers (RMCs), Naval Shipyards, Surface Team One, or Type Commander maintenance organizations.
• Experience supporting depot maintenance availabilities, Continuous Maintenance Availabilities (CMAVs), modernization planning, or waterfront operations.
• Familiarity with ship maintenance milestones, availability planning, and execution processes.
• Military or civilian experience supporting U.S. Navy surface ship maintenance organizations.
• Project and risk management experience.
• Military and technical experience is highly desirable.
• Detail-oriented with excellent research, organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Executive-level oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint Online).
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects.

Location: This position operates in a hybrid environment with a strong emphasis on waterfront engagement. While administrative duties may be performed remotely, candidates should expect to spend multiple days each week supporting Government stakeholders on-site at naval installations, shipyards, and Regional Maintenance Centers. Regular participation in maintenance planning meetings, production meetings, milestone reviews, and availability closeout activities is essential to building trusted relationships and supporting effective knowledge sharing across the waterfront.

Clearance Requirements: Must possess an active Secret security. Must be a U.S. Citizen. 

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation: 

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers. 
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this position is $95,000 to $135,000 annual salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies' total compensation package for employees.