Executive Engineering Career Opportunity: General Engineer for NAVSEA Team Submarine (AUKUS Integration)
Are you a high-performing professional engineer ready to contribute to one of the most significant strategic defense agreements of the modern era? The Department of the Navy, under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), has announced an opening for a General Engineer within Team Submarine. Located at the historic Washington Navy Yard, DC, this position directly supports the historic Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership.
Positioned in the NH-04 broadband pay scale (equivalent to GS-14 and GS-15 levels), this role offers a competitive salary ranging from $143,913 to $197,200 per year, alongside world-class federal benefits, professional growth, and the opportunity to safeguard national security.
About the Agency: NAVSEA and Team Submarine
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is the largest of the U.S. Navy's five system commands, engineering, building, buying, and maintaining the Navy's fleet of ships, submarines, and combat systems.
Team Submarine unites military officers, civilian engineers, defense scientists, and acquisition experts under a unified goal: maintaining total undersea superiority. Operating within this elite organizational structure, you will sit at the nexus of technology, international diplomacy, and naval tactical dominance. Working for Team Submarine means joining a dedicated civilian workforce where purpose, innovation, and strategic defense priorities merge seamlessly.
Position Overview & Core Responsibilities
As a General Engineer (NH-04), you will provide critical technical management and oversight for the combat system architecture supporting the AUKUS program. Your primary responsibility involves leading the complex engineering integration of the BYG-1 submarine combat system into joint international sub-surface capabilities.
Key Duties & Technical Focus Areas:
- AUKUS Program Technical Leadership: Manage end-to-end engineering support and develop strategic plans for integrating the BYG-1 tactical command and control system into submarine combat systems built for the AUKUS partnership.
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Management: Drive engineering and acquisition efforts necessary to execute FMS cases and support the operational standup of the dedicated AUKUS Program Office.
- Inter-Agency Technical Liaison: Serve as a primary engineering contact across various Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System (SWFTS) programs, answering technical data calls and delivering complex systems data required for mission execution.
- Strategic Representation: Represent Team Submarine in essential defense meetings, working groups, and technical design reviews involving international military personnel and defense contractors.
Candidate Qualification & Educational Requirements
To be considered for this high-level position, candidates must satisfy both mandatory basic engineering education requirements and specific specialized experience criteria.
1. Basic Educational Prerequisites
Candidates must possess one of the following qualifications:
- ABET-Accredited Engineering Degree: A bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
- Related STEM Degree + Calculus & Physics Coursework: Successful completion of advanced engineering coursework including differential and integral calculus, alongside upper-level physical science courses in at least five of the following areas: statics/dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical fields/circuits, material properties, or optics/electronics.
- Professional Licensure: Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or Professional Engineer (PE) state license.
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam: Official evidence of passing the FE examination administered by a recognized state licensing board.
2. Specialized Experience
Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized engineering experience equivalent to the NH-03 (GS-13) pay band in federal service or private sector engineering. Your experience must prove:
- Technical oversight of combat systems design and production techniques specifically tailored for submarine platforms.
- Practical execution of complex systems engineering projects within naval or defense applications.
Position Summary Table
| Attribute | Opportunity Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | General Engineer |
| Pay Band / Grade | NH-04 (GS-14 / GS-15 Equivalent) |
| Salary Range | $143,913 β $197,200 / Year (Control point cap may apply at $191,850) |
| Duty Location | Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia |
| Hiring Authority | AcqDemo Business & Technical Direct Hire Authority |
| Security Clearance | Secret Clearance Required |
| Telework Eligibility | Yes (As determined by agency policy) |
| Resume Limitation | Strictly 2 Pages Maximum |
Compensation & Defense Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo)
This position is governed by the DoD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). Rather than traditional GS steps, the NH-04 broadband combines GS-14 and GS-15 pay bands into a flexible compensation system designed to reward high performers.
- Broadband Bandwidth: The broadband setup provides pay flexibility up to $197,200.
- Control Points: Please note that initial base salary offers under this announcement may be subject to internal control points, often set around GS-15 Step 05 ($191,850), though current higher earnings may be matched based on experience and policy.
- Incentives: Relocation, recruitment, or student loan repayment incentives may be authorized for qualified selectees.
Comprehensive Civilian Benefits Package
Working as a civilian engineer for the Department of the Navy includes a robust, highly competitive benefits package:
- Healthcare Coverage: Choice of comprehensive health insurance plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, including dental and vision.
- Retirement & Pension: Dual retirement security through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
- Work-Life Balance: Generous sick leave, annual leave accrual, 11 paid federal holidays, and telework flexibility.
- Professional Development: Continuous training, leadership programs, and defense engineering certification support.
Critical Application Steps & Instructions
Applying for this public notice flyer requires meticulous attention to formatting requirements. Follow these steps to ensure your application is considered:
- Prepare Your Resume (Max 2 Pages):
- Your resume is the primary document used to evaluate your qualifications. It MUST NOT exceed 2 pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be automatically disqualified.
- For every past position, list: employer name, precise start/end dates (Month/Year), average hours worked per week, and federal pay series/grade (if applicable).
- Gather Mandatory Documentation:
- Transcripts: Official or unofficial transcripts verifying your engineering degree and coursework.
- Certifications: Copy of your PE, EIT, or FE test results if claiming qualification through licensure.
- Redaction Warning: Redact Social Security Numbers and dates of birth from uploaded transcripts or military records.
- Submit via the Official NAVSEA Portal:
- Access the application collection site directly through the NAVSEA link and submit your full package before the closing deadline.
- Applications sent via fax or standard USAJobs portals will not be processed for this specific flyer.
Essential Application Tips for Success
- Highlight Submarine Combat Expertise: Clearly articulate your direct technical oversight of combat systems design, BYG-1 integration, or SWFTS architectures in your two-page resume.
- Be Explicit: Federal HR specialists rate applications strictly on explicit statements. Avoid generalized descriptions; instead, quantify your engineering achievements and technical leadership outcomes.
- Verify File Readability: Double-check that your uploaded PDF files are fully legible. Corrupted or unreadable files lead to immediate rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this an actual job opening or a public notice?
This announcement serves as a public notice flyer to build an applicant pool for anticipated General Engineer vacancies within Team Submarine. Qualified applicants are referred directly to selecting officials as vacancies arise.
Q: Can I submit a multi-page federal resume?
No. For this specific NAVSEA flyer, resumes are strictly restricted to 2 pages. Any resume exceeding this limit will be rated ineligible.
Q: Does veterans' preference apply under Direct Hire Authority?
Under the Acquisition Demo Direct Hire Authority utilized for this vacancy, standard veterans' preference rules do not apply during selection. However, veterans should still submit their supporting documentation (such as DD-214s) if applicable.
The General Engineer (NH-04) position with NAVSEA Team Submarine offers an unprecedented opportunity to influence national defense engineering and international diplomacy through the AUKUS program. If you possess the specialized combat system experience and engineering credentials required, take the next step in your career by submitting your tailored 2-page resume today.
Why This General Engineer Job Matters
Step into a premier engineering leadership role supporting the historic trilateral AUKUS alliance with Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard.
General Engineer Job Overview
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is seeking an experienced General Engineer (NH-04 broadband, equivalent to GS-14/GS-15) to join Team Submarine in Washington, DC. In this high-impact position, you will lead complex engineering initiatives, providing technical oversight for the integration of the BYG-1 combat system into submarine architectures supporting the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) strategic program. The role bridges international defense partnership execution, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and tactical systems design.
Requirements for General Engineer
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Successful completion of a professional engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution, OR equivalent combination of advanced STEM education, FE exam completion, or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
- At least one year of specialized engineering experience equivalent to the NH-03 (GS-13 level) pay band in the federal service or private sector.
- Demonstrated technical expertise providing oversight on submarine combat systems design, production, and integration.
- Strict compliance with the two-page maximum resume length restriction.
Preferred Qualifications for General Engineer
- Direct experience with Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWFTS) and BYG-1 combat system design.
- Background in supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases and defense acquisition programs.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) certification.
- Strong technical leadership abilities for international cross-agency collaboration and high-level data call responses.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- βCompetitive federal salary under the Acquisition Demonstration (AcqDemo) project
- βComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options
- βThrift Savings Plan (TSP) with generous government matching contributions
- βFederal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension
- βTelework flexibility subject to supervisor approval
- βPotential relocation incentive authorization for qualified candidates
- βPaid annual leave, sick leave, and 11 federal holidays
π‘ How to Apply General Engineer Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for General Engineer Job
- Review the full public notice flyer details to confirm your education and specialized experience qualifications.
- Prepare a concise, tailored resume strictly adhering to the 2-page limit. Ensure all details such as employer names, dates of employment, hours worked per week, and federal pay series/grade (if applicable) are explicitly stated.
- Gather supporting documentation, including transcripts (official or unofficial), professional licenses (PE/EIT), and DD-214/veterans' preference documentation if applicable.
- Access the dedicated NAVSEA portal link to complete the submission process before the closing date.
- Verify that all submitted documents are clear, complete, and legible prior to submitting your final application package.
π‘ General Tips
- Do not exceed the strictly enforced 2-page limit for your resume; excess pages or unreadable uploads will result in automatic disqualification.
- Explicitly detail your technical involvement with submarine combat systems design and production equivalent to the GS-13/NH-03 level.
- If qualifying via education or licensure, verify that your transcripts clearly state degree conferral dates and ABET accreditation status, or attach your official PE/EIT credentials.
- Redact sensitive personal identity details like Social Security Numbers and birth dates on non-essential supporting attachments prior to submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pay grade and salary range for this position?
The position is classified under the DoD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) at the NH-04 broadband level, equivalent to GS-14 and GS-15. The salary range is $143,913 to $197,200 annually, though control points may cap starting base pay at GS-15 Step 5 ($191,850) unless salary matching applies.
Is telework available for this engineering role?
Yes, this position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy and supervisor approval. However, it is not a fully remote position and requires working out of the Washington Navy Yard, DC.
Are there specific resume formatting rules for this opening?
Yes. Resumes are strictly limited to no more than 2 pages. Applications containing resumes longer than 2 pages or illegible files will be deemed ineligible.
Does veterans' preference apply under this announcement?
Because this announcement utilizes the Acquisition Demo Business and Technical Management Direct Hire Authority, standard veterans' preference rules do not apply during candidate selection, though veterans should still submit supporting documents if claimed.
External Resources
- β USAJobs Position URI
- β OPM General Schedule Qualification Standards
- β OPM Professional Engineering Qualification PDF
- β National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- β NSPE How to Get Licensed Guide
- β NAVSEA Application Collection Portal
- β Department of the Navy Civilian Benefits
- β Navy Civilian Federal Annuitants Policy PDF
- β Agency Contact Email
- β Agency Contact Phone
