Senior Electrical Engineer

US Coast Guard - Senior Electrical Engineer (GS-14) - $144k-$187k

Agency: U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC)

Location:

Washington, DC
Position Type:
Full-Time, Federal Civil Service

As a GS-14 Senior Electrical Engineer, you will serve as the premier technical authority and expert consultant on commercial shipboard electrical systems, propulsion, and advanced automation. Working under the general administrative direction of the Chief, Electrical Branch, you will operate with a high degree of technical independence, making authoritative engineering decisions that impact the design and safety of vessels worldwide.

• Engineering Plan Review & Analysis (40%)
  Serve as the lead coordinating engineer for high-profile new construction and complex modifications of commercial vessels and offshore platforms. Analyze advanced electrical and electro-mechanical designs, including power management, short circuit calculations, breaker coordination studies, and electric propulsion. Evaluate cutting-edge systems, such as Lithium-ion battery propulsion, dynamic positioning (DP), automatic/remote machinery controls, and artificial intelligence (AI)-operated systems. Utilize qualitative failure analysis to evaluate the safety and redundancy of microprocessor-based hardware and vital automation systems.
• Technical Advice & Industry Liaison (30%)
  Provide expert technical guidance and regulatory interpretations to ship owners, designers, marine inspectors, and system vendors. Stay at the absolute forefront of technology, assessing the regulatory impact of medium/high-voltage systems, solid-state power converters, harmonics mitigation, fuel/solar cells, and fiber optic applications. Perform field inspections, lead reviews of novel designs on-site, and witness critical dockside/sea testing of automated vital systems and DP systems prior to certification.
  
  Resolve highly complex technical problems and appeals where designs are not directly addressed by existing regulations.
• Oversight of Delegated Activities (30%)
  Perform independent quality assurance audits of plan review work delegated to Authorized Classification Societies (ACS) such as ABS, DNV, and Lloyd's Register. Harmonize technical interpretations between the MSC and classification societies. Train and mentor internal branch engineers as well as external ACS staff to improve customer service, technical competency, and industry alignment.

• Unparalleled Technical Variety:
  Work on a diverse array of advanced projects - massive commercial cargo vessels, mobile offshore drilling units, and state-of-the-art hybrid passenger vessels.
• True Work-Life Balance:
  Take advantage of supportive federal work-life policies, including Alternate Work Schedules (AWS) and financial support for professional development opportunities and advanced licensure.
• Professional Stature:
  Represent the Coast Guard in professional engineering forums, participate in international standards committees, and influence global maritime safety policy.
• Growth & Mentorship:
  Lead, train, and guide the learning process of junior engineers.

A Bachelor of Science (or higher) in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution, or equivalent experience.

Mastery of advanced electrical engineering principles. Extensive operational engineering experience (integration, operation, troubleshooting, or maintenance of vital machinery in shipyards, shipboard environments, or marine design offices) is highly valued.

Expertise in power distribution, automated control systems, failure mode analysis, and the use of engineering software to evaluate power system shortcircuits and coordination studies.

Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully pass a standard federal background investigation (Public Trust).