Director Of Test And Trials

Job Description

The Director of Test and Trials is a high-visibility leadership role accountable for overseeing all test and activation operations on assigned hulls related to grooming, testing and operations of shipboard equipment and systems. This position reports to the VP of Operations and is responsible for the safety, quality, schedule adherence, cost performance, and personnel management within their assigned production area. Operating under the BIW Business Operating System (BOS), the Director manages test and trial operations, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and performance standards while coordinating with other key stakeholders to meet overall milestones.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure readiness for and successful execution of Test and Trial related milestone events for assigned hulls.
• Coordinating with Planning, develop and maintain a ship’s test and activation plan/schedule that prioritizes deconfliction of parallel construction activities and test program efficiency and enables schedule recovery and shift of milestones to the left.
• Drive Cost performance improvement on assigned hulls through improved management and coordination of Test and Activation activities, schedule recovery to reduce cost that run with time, focused management of work packages, and detailed progress status reporting.
• Ensure test work continuing across shifts is efficiently and effectively handed-off between the two shifts. Manage shift turnover meetings and night-notes to facilitate such handoffs.
• Maintain a culture of strict compliance with procedures (e.g. Test, Quality, Safety, etc.). Ensure all Test and Trials activities are conducted safely and in accordance with approved procedures.
• Work closely with counterparts in other BIW departments/divisions in problem solving and technical issue resolution.
• Participate in and direct dock trials and sea trial activities.
• Coordinate and/or facilitate the resolution of any barriers, either production or pre-production, that could impede the achievement of scheduled events.
• Work in accordance with all union agreements and promote teamwork.
• Work to identify, develop, and implement cost and schedule reduction initiatives.
• Ensure the final product is built to all QA requirements and inspection procedures with proper documentation.

Safety Leadership:

• Implement safety programs within assigned areas.
• Monitor and drive compliance with safety procedures.
• Lead daily safety initiatives and housekeeping standards.
• Ensure proper safety training and certification compliance.

Project Execution:

• Direct production operations within assigned area.
• Manage area-specific schedule and resource requirements.
• Coordinate work execution between trades and support functions.
• Monitor and control production costs and schedule performance.
• Execute build and test sequences according to plan.

Operational Management:

• Lead Production Superintendents and front-line supervision.
• Manage area workforce and resource allocation.
• Implement operational improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and present area performance reviews.
• Monitor and control production metrics.

Training and Development:

• Oversee trade training and qualification programs.
• Mentor/develop operational supervision capabilities.
• Implement skill development initiatives.

Team Collaboration and Communication:

• Coordinate with other production areas
• Lead production meetings and progress reviews.
• Interface with planning and engineering support.
• Maintain effective communication across shifts.

Continuous Improvement:

• Implement BOS practices within area.
• Lead process improvement initiatives.
• Drive productivity and quality improvements.

Required/Preferred Education/Training

• BS degree in related Marine Engineering or related technical field or U.S. Navy operations and leadership required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Required/Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 15 years relevant Marine Engineering experience (Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and/or Shipbuilding) and 10 years years of supervisory experience required.
• Shipyard test and activation experience preferred.
• Merchant Marine operational experience preferred.
• USN Gas Turbine qualifications and operational experience as Chief Engineer / Main Propulsion Assistant / Engineering Officer of the Watch preferred.
• General computer skills, including competence with Microsoft Office Suite, Intranet and data systems, and web-based data management tools required.
• Ability to lead test and activation team in both in-yard and at-sea environments required.
• Ability to work independently on complex systems and issues.
• Ability to deal with technical problems and effectively communicate issues to all involved.
• Ability to maintain a positive working relationship with customer counterparts and representatives, while promoting the same with subordinates.
• Problem resolution and root cause identification skills.
• Ability and desire to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work multiple priorities and be flexible.