Lead Combat Systems Subject Matter Expert; SME - RATT

Position: Lead Combat Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) - RATT
Lead Combat Systems SME - RATT

Position Summary:
Life Cycle Engineering has a contingent opening for a Lead Combat Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME), supporting services for the Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) Readiness Assistance Training Team (RATT). The Lead Combat Systems SME is the program's senior specialist for AEGIS Combat Systems (CG-47, DDG-51, DDG-1000), Ship Self Defense Systems (SSDS LPD-17, LSD-41/49, LHD-1, LHA-6), and mine hunting and minesweeping combat systems (MCM-1, LCS Mission Modules).

This position provides functional advisory support to all six visit teams on combat systems deficiencies, engineering interface issues, and integrated system support it does not hold direct supervisory authority over team members but serves as the highest-credibility technical resource for CS-related findings. The Lead CS SME must hold both AEGIS and SSDS operational and maintenance depth and must be current on electronic warfare systems (SLQ-32/SEWIP, SLQ-25, NULKA, Mk 36 SRBOC) employed across the supported hull types.

This contract has a contingent start of September 2026.

Security Clearance Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required
• Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance required (Security clearance eligibility may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
• Ability to maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Serve as functional combat systems advisor to all six visit teams; provide CS technical support on request for any visit involving AEGIS, SSDS, or MCM/LCS combat systems.
• Conduct direct combat systems assessments during CRUDES (CG/DDG) visits as a primary team member.
• Assess AEGIS Combat Systems suite operability, maintenance management, radar (SPY-1), VLS, CIWS, BMD, and sonar systems for material condition and maintenance program health.
• Assess SSDS systems, electronic warfare suites (SLQ-32, SLQ-25, NULKA, Mk 36 SRBOC), and network/communications systems on amphibious hull visits.
• Provide combat systems subject matter expertise for ORCA assessments involving combat systems workshop and IPE evaluation.
• Conduct and supervise deckplate CS training at the watch stander and CSOOW/STO level.
• Administer Level 2 pre/post knowledge assessments for CS training evolutions and complete Level 3 behavioral observation forms post-training.
• Generate maintenance-ready AWRs for combat systems deficiencies; review CS-related AWRs from other team SMEs.
• Submit class-level CS deficiency patterns particularly cross-class patterns identifiable through JIRA NAVY-prefix tags to the PM for the Class Issues Assessment Report.
• Participate in annual STANCO; lead combat systems curriculum review and cross-class CS deficiency taxonomy agenda items.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of supervisory experience in analyses, information system operations
• Supervisory combat systems experience with Navy surface ship Combat Systems maintenance processes.
• Extensive experience in one or more of the following positions:
  Systems Test Officer (STO), Combat Systems Maintenance Manager (CSMM), or Combat Systems Officer of the Watch (CSOOW) on multiple AEGIS and SSDS ships.
• Extensive experience in Navy ship Combat Systems operations on multiple AEGIS and SSDS ships.
• Maintenance and training staff experience at ISIC, TYCOM, or Afloat Training Group level.
• In-depth knowledge of Navy ship depot-level Combat Systems maintenance processes.
• In-depth knowledge of the theory and workings of surface ship Combat Systems maintenance processes.
• Undergraduate or associate's degree, or seven (7) years demonstrated experience in a management role.

Preferred Education, Skills and/or Experience:

• Experience as Combat Systems Maintenance Manager (CSMM) on multiple AEGIS hull types (DDG-51 Flights I, II, IIA, III; CG-47).
• Electronics Material Officer (EMO) experience on SSDS-equipped ships (LPD-17, LSD, LHD, LHA).
• Direct operational and maintenance experience within the last five (5) years with SLQ-32V3/V5/SEWIP Block 2, SLQ-25 NIXIE, NULKA, and Mk 36 SRBOC systems.
• Familiarity with DDG-1000 Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) and Zumwalt-class combat management…