Ship Self-Defense System Combat Systems SME (SSDS SME)

This position is contingent upon contract award

The Ship Self-Defense System Combat Systems SME (SSDS SME) provides expert technical leadership, operational oversight, and maintenance support for Navy combat systems, electronic warfare systems, shipboard communications networks, gunnery systems, missile systems, and associated interfaces aboard surface warships and military auxiliary vessels. This position serves as a senior subject matter expert responsible for supporting fleet readiness, combat systems maintenance, operational performance, modernization initiatives, and lifecycle sustainment activities. 

The SSDS SME supports engineering and maintenance teams responsible for Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) operations, electronic warfare capabilities, communications systems integration, and weapons systems maintenance. The position also provides technical guidance to government personnel, maintenance activities, and operational commands supporting fleet readiness and sustainment operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise technical efforts supporting Navy combat systems operations, electronic warfare systems, communications networks, weapons systems, and associated maintenance activities.
• Serve as senior technical advisor for Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) operations, maintenance, and systems integration.
• Provide technical expertise for Navy shipboard network and communications systems, supporting infrastructure, and associated shipboard system interfaces.
• Support planning, execution, and oversight of organizational-level and depot-level maintenance activities involving combat systems and electronic warfare systems.
• Provide technical support for Navy electronic warfare and countermeasure systems, including:

* SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite,

* SLQ-25 NIXIE Torpedo Decoy System,

* NULKA Active Missile Decoy System, and

* Mk 36 Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures (SRBOC) Decoy Launching System.

• Support operational readiness assessments, troubleshooting efforts, maintenance planning, and casualty response activities for combat systems and weapons systems.
• Provide technical expertise for gunnery systems operations and maintenance aboard Navy warships and military auxiliary vessels.
• Provide technical support for stand-alone missile systems operations and maintenance aboard warships.
• Coordinate with ship’s force personnel, maintenance activities, Type Commanders, training organizations, and government representatives to resolve technical and operational issues.
• Analyze system performance data, maintenance trends, readiness reports, and casualty information to identify improvement opportunities and support mission readiness.
• Prepare technical reports, maintenance assessments, readiness evaluations, and systems status updates for leadership review.
• Support integrated maintenance and readiness efforts associated with multidisciplinary fleet support teams, including propulsion, auxiliary, electrical, combat systems, damage control, deck operations, and logistics specialties.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience with the technical aspects of operations and maintenance of the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Combat Systems Suite. 
• Experience level comparable to that of an Electronics Material Officer (EMO) aboard ships equipped with SSDS.
• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience with the technical aspects of operations and maintenance of Navy network and communications systems, supporting systems, and associated shipboard interfaces.
• Direct operational and maintenance experience within the last five (5) years involving Navy electronic warfare and countermeasure systems currently employed by the Fleet.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the following systems:

* SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite,

* SLQ-25 NIXIE Torpedo Decoy System,

* NULKA Active Missile Decoy System, and

* Mk 36 SRBOC Decoy Launching System.

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience with operations and maintenance of gunnery systems aboard warships or military auxiliary vessels.
• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience with operations and maintenance of stand-alone missile systems aboard warships.
• Extensive knowledge of Navy combat systems maintenance practices, operational procedures, systems integration, and fleet readiness requirements.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively interface with senior military leadership, civilian personnel, maintenance organizations, and technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting fleet readiness training, maintenance assessments, modernization programs, or lifecycle sustainment initiatives.
• Experience supporting integrated fleet support organizations or Readiness Assist and Training Teams (RATT).
• Experience supporting shipyard maintenance, waterfront operations, or combat systems modernization programs.
• Familiarity with Navy maintenance databases, combat systems documentation, readiness reporting systems, and technical assessment tools.
• Bachelor’s degree or associate degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Engineering Technology, Naval Science, or a related technical field.

Work Environment

• Work may be performed in office environments, shipboard locations, waterfront operations areas, maintenance facilities, or shipyards.
• Position may require travel to fleet concentration areas, operational commands, maintenance facilities, and shipboard locations in support of inspections, maintenance activities, and operational readiness efforts.

Security Clearance

• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or higher) required.