Trident Submarine Maintenance & Availability Subject Matter Expert (Strategic Advisor)
Company Overview KMS Solutions, LLC is a technical management / solutions company that specializes in engineering, analysis, and cyber security. Founded in 2005, KMS is a certified small business with nearly two decades of experience supporting the Department of Defense as well as many other departments and programs critical to our Nation’s security and well-being. KMS is a three-time winner of the USA Today Top Workplaces recognizing quality workplace cultures across the United States who put their employees first. Additionally, KMS has won multiple regional Top Workplaces awards and Culture Excellence Awards for Compensation & Benefits, Innovation, Leadership, Purpose & Values and Work-Life Flexibility.
Position Summary KMS Solutions, LLC is seeking a highly experienced, seasoned former U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Leader to serve as a Trident Submarine Maintenance & Availability Subject Matter Expert (Strategic Advisor). Located on-site at the Trident Refit Facility (TRF), this individual will serve as a senior technical advisor and strategic liaison supporting the In-Service Strategic Submarines Program Office (PMS 396). In this role, you will provide high-level operational foresight, engineering guidance, and availability execution oversight to ensure Trident Submarine (SSBN/SSGN) refit periods, dry dock availabilities, and depot-level maintenance baselines align with Director Submarine Programs (DSP), Submarine Type Commander (TYCOM), and fleet readiness objectives.
- This position will be advising Submarine Crews and TRF Personnel to successfully complete availabilities on time and at cost.
- The ideal candidate has experience as a 3MC/EDMC during major SSBN/SSGN maintenance availabilities.
- The ideal candidate has experience as a Repair Officer (RO) / Production Manager Assistant (PMA) at a Trident Repair Facility, Naval Shipyard, or Submarine Tender.
Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Enlisted SME Guidance & Deck-Plate Advisory:
- Serve as a senior deck-plate subject matter expert (Strategic Advisor) providing technical guidance, operational foresight, and maintenance management expertise to support Trident Submarine (SSBN/SSGN) maintenance, refits, and availabilities.
- Mentor ship’s force personnel in maintenance planning fundamentals, including work candidate development, package review, job sequencing, schedule management, and closeout documentation.
- Support identification, validation, and prioritization of corrective maintenance requirements affecting SSBN operational availability and material condition.
- Assist crews in developing and maintaining an integrated maintenance plan that balances refit requirements, ship’s force capabilities, operational commitments, and available maintenance windows.
- Assist with the development or refinement of local maintenance planning processes, checklists, trackers, and standard operating procedures.
- TRF Maintenance & 3M System Integration:
- Oversee and integrate Maintenance and Material Management (3M) processes, Work Candidate (2-Kilo) generation, Task Group Instructions (TGIs), and Job Performance Aids at the Trident Refit Facility (TRF) to optimize refit planning and execution.
- Ensure SSBN refit preparation and execution comply with the Trident Refit Manual. Provide feedback and recommendations to CSG-9 for revisions to the Trident Refit Manual to improve oversight and performance.
- Engineering & Material Readiness Oversight:
- Leverage Engineering Duty Master Chief (EDMC) expertise to oversee nuclear and non-nuclear mechanical, electrical, and propulsion system maintenance baselines during refit availabilities and dry dock periods.
- Submarine Squadron, TRF, & Shipboard Liaison:
- Act as a critical operational liaison between shipboard leadership (COB, EDMC, 3MC), Trident Refit Facility department heads, Submarine Squadron maintenance staffs, and Program Office (PMA / PMS 396) representatives.
- Provide continuity and institutional knowledge across refit cycles, turnover periods, and changes in ship’s force personnel.
- Support command-level readiness assessments by providing observations on maintenance planning effectiveness, execution performance, and areas requiring leadership attention.
- Liaison directly with CSG-9, CSS-17, CSS-19, TRF and ship’s commanding officer to provide assessments and recommendations on how to improve SSBN material management from the individual unit to force-wide level.
- Availability Planning, Execution & Work Package Verification:
- Meticulously review work packages, Liaison Action Records (LARs), and baseline changes to identify material bottlenecks, technical discrepancies, and long-lead material requirements prior to and during availabilities.
- Analyze recurring maintenance planning issues, deferred work, growth work, and execution shortfalls; recommend practical corrective actions.
- Deck-Plate Mentorship & Lessons Learned:
- Mentor junior civilian, military, and contractor maintenance planners on shipboard maintenance routines while incorporating lessons learned from Ohio-class refits into future Columbia-class maintenance strategy.
- Review maintenance availability lessons learned and support trend analyses and improvement recommendations.
Required Education and Experience
- Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Industrial Management, Business Administration, or equivalent technical/military training.
- Military Background: Former Senior Enlisted Leader in the United States Navy (e.g., Master Chief Petty Officer / Senior Chief Petty Officer) with proven experience as a Submarine 3MC (Ships 3M Coordinator) or Engineering Duty Master Chief (EDMC).
- Domain Experience: 15 or more years of hands-on experience in U.S. Navy submarine maintenance, fleet operations, or rotatable pool/material management, including experience interfacing with Program Manager Air/Afloat (PMA) or Program Management (PM) organizations.
- Facility & On-Site Experience: Direct experience managing shipboard maintenance cycles or working within Trident Refit Facilities (TRF Kings Bay or TRF Bangor) during industrial refit availabilities.
Preferred Education and Experience
- SSBN/SSGN 3M & Refit Mastery: In-depth knowledge of Ohio-class (and transition to Columbia-class) SSBN/SSGN 3M programs, refit availabilities, deferred maintenance management, and industrial laydown requirements.
- Program Office & Industrial Interface: Prior experience supporting NAVSEA In-Service Submarine Program Offices (e.g., PMS 396, PMS 392), Naval Warfare Centers, or Public Shipyards on maintenance and material management initiatives.
- Senior Enlisted Fleet Leadership: Prior tour as a Submarine 3MC, EDMC, or Chief of the Boat (COB) on an SSBN or SSGN platform.
- Maintenance & Modernization Documentation: Expert familiarity with Submarine Maintenance and Material Management systems, Ship Alteration Records (SARs), Ship Installation Drawings (SIDs), Liaison Action Records (LARs), and Task Group Instructions (TGIs).
Competencies
- Deck-Plate Technical Leadership: Proven ability to bridge the gap between deck-plate maintenance personnel, TRF leadership, and high-level program office managers.
- Analytical Problem-Solving & Material Tracking: Strong technical capability to analyze work candidates, material availability, and scheduling bottlenecks during high-consequence maintenance windows.
- Autonomy & Deck-Plate Initiative: Exceptional self-direction, reliability, and personal initiative to operate independently at TRF shore installations without daily direct supervision.
- Communication & Technical Reporting: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with expertise in drafting clear maintenance briefs, executive summary reports, and technical correspondence.
Additional Eligibility Requirements (if applicable)
Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirement
- This position requires the ability to obtain and/or maintain a DoD Security Clearance and required access to all worksite locations. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.
Other Duties:
Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
The typical workday is eight hours in length. Some flexibility in hours is allowed, with concurrence from the supervisor. Attendance at mandatory meetings is required. Must be available during the core work hours as determined by the contract/location and must account for the required number of hours in a pay period to maintain Full-time status.
Telework:
- Telework may be allowed up to 20%.
- Subject to change based on business needs and customer requirements.
- Greater in-office presence will be required during the initial 6 months as the requirements of the role are being learned.
Travel:
- Ability to travel CONUS; potential to travel OCONUS.
- Travel up to 20% may be required.
Benefits and Additional Compensation:
KMS offers a competitive benefits packaging including medical, dental and vision insurances, flexible spending account, PTO, paid holidays, military leave, bereavement leave, 401k / retirement savings plan, professional development and tuition reimbursement, basic and voluntary life insurance / AD&D, short-term and long-term disability, voluntary AFLAC supplemental insurance products and employee assistance plan (EAP) program. Additionally, KMS offers employee referral bonuses and a discretionary annual bonus.
AAP/EEO Statement:
KMS Solutions is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and maintains an Affirmative Action Program. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants or employees needing a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources. KMS Solutions is a drug free workplace.
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