Navy Surface Ship Maintenance & Readiness SME

Ship Maintenance & Readiness Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Life Cycle Engineering has contingent openings for multiple Ship Maintenance & Readiness Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the Organic Repair Capability Assessment (ORCA) Team, supporting services for the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) Readiness Assistance Training Team (RATT). The ORCA SMEs serve as experienced technical coaches and assessors who conduct 3- to 4-day shipboard assessments focused on a ship's organic repair capability for Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE).

Performing approximately 42 CONUS and 11 OCONUS assessments per year on a 3-year visit cycle per hull. ORCA SMEs work alongside the ship's force personnel to identify IPE material deficiencies, assess maintenance program health, identify training gaps, and provide actionable recommendations that improve the crew's ability to conduct organic repairs. The coaching-based model — advisory, not inspectorial — requires SMEs to establish credibility rapidly with both junior enlisted and senior officers and to translate deep operational expertise into transferable knowledge at the deckplate level.

This contract has a contingent start of September 2026.

• 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

• Support pre-visit coordination with ship leadership; contribute to tailored assessment planning for assigned hull type and CSMP data review.
• Conduct assigned workshop and IPE assessments during ORCA visits; complete ORCA Workshop Functionality Score Sheets for assigned spaces.
• Document material deficiencies with sufficient specificity to support AWR generation; prepare technically sound draft AWRs for Team Lead review.
• Solicit fleet feedback on workshop configuration adequacy — safety, physical arrangement, material handling, and support services.
• Identify prerequisite Navy training (JQR, PQS, A/C school) for assigned IPE; contribute inputs to the Training/IPE Matrix.
• Provide actionable recommendations for identified discrepancies; identify the appropriate responsible party (ship, ISIC, or TYCOM) for each corrective action.
• Contribute to ORCA contractual deliverables:
  Final Visit Report, Shipboard Training Summary, and Material Deficiency Report (due five working days post-trip).
• Provide ORCA assessment data to the Team Lead and Analyst for monthly submission to NSWC Corona; ensure data is complete, accurate, and formatted to program standards prior to delivery.
• Conduct CONUS and OCONUS travel in support of the ORCA visit schedule, including extended OCONUS engagements of 4–6 weeks.

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of operational and maintenance experience in one of the below technical specialties aboard Navy surface ships:
• Gas Turbine Main Propulsion and Control Systems
• Diesel Main Propulsion and Control Systems
• Damage Control
• Electrical Systems
• Auxiliaries Systems
• Deck Operations and Systems
• Maintenance, Material Management, and Logistics
• Direct operational and maintenance experience within the last five (5) years with systems and equipment currently in use by the Navy in the assigned specialty area.
• Available for CONUS and OCONUS travel, including extended engagements of 4–6 weeks.

• Twenty-five (25) or more years of experience in listed technical specialties.
• Prior RATT or ORCA visit participation as team member or observer.
• Maintenance and training staff experience at ISIC, TYCOM, or Afloat Training Group level.
• Familiarity with NAVSEA AWR preparation standards and format requirements.
• Experience supporting government contract deliverables in a Navy maintenance or training environment.

• Ability to work in an industrial shipboard/shipyard environment, climb shipboard ladders and wear all required safety equipment.
• Able to lift (up to 50lb), carry, and transport heavy equipment and materials required. Able to meet U.S. Navy shiprider…