Description

US Coast Guard - Naval Architect (GS-13) - $120k-$160k

Agency: U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC)
Location: Washington, DC 
Position Type: Full-Time, Federal Civil Service

About Us: Our People Are Our Strength

At the Marine Safety Center, we believe that our team members are our greatest asset. We are a collaborative community of world-class engineers and technical specialists dedicated to a vital mission: protecting the mariners, passengers, and marine environments that power more than $5 trillion in annual U.S. maritime commerce.

If you are looking for a career where your technical expertise has a profound, real-world impact and where your professional growth and personal well-being are prioritized, the MSC is the place for you. We foster an environment of teamwork, continuous learning, and innovation, and we are committed to helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The Role: Technical Impact on a National Scale

As a GS-13 Naval Architect within our Hull or Tank Vessel & Offshore Division, you will serve as a key technical authority for commercial vessel safety. You will apply first-principles engineering to evaluate complex, novel vessel designs and ensure structural and stability integrity before construction begins.

Key responsibilities include:

• Engineering Plan Review (60%): Review and evaluate structural designs, intact/damage stability calculations, arrangements, and fire protection systems for a diverse fleet of U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels (including large passenger vessels, towing vessels, tank barges, and offshore supply facilities).
• Technical Authority & Policy (40%): Interpret and apply federal regulations, classification society rules (such as ABS), and international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines). You will represent the MSC at national technical committees, advise senior leadership, and mentor junior staff engineers.
  On-Site Technical Engagement: Conduct occasional travel to shipyards, vessels, and operational units to witness inclining experiments and perform physical structural evaluations.

Why Join the Marine Safety Center?

• A People-First Culture: We actively support our team's work-life balance with flexible scheduling, and alternate work hours (e.g., compressed work weeks).
• Professional Growth: We invest in your career. We provide direct support for acquiring and/or maintaining your Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, specialized software training (including GHS, HECSALV, and ANSYS), and leadership development.
• A Clear, Mission-Driven Purpose: Your decisions will directly safeguard thousands of lives at sea and prevent environmental disasters.

How to Apply

This position will be formally posted on USAJobs.com with an application window of 10 days. To be notified when the job posts, please use the apply button below.

Requirements

Key Qualifications

• Education: A professional degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated mastery of structural design, intact/damaged stability, and marine engineering principles.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to negotiate technical solutions with ship builders, owners, and classification societies.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required.