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Drydock Engineer & Operations Manager (Job ID: 1293)

Colonna's Shipyard
Norfolk, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/19/2026
Drydock Engineer & Operations Manager

Purpose:

The Drydock Engineer & Operations Manager is a hybrid technical leadership role responsible for the safe execution of dry-docking operations and the strategic oversight of dry dock maintenance operations to include regulatory certifications, lifecycle planning, material management, and capital budgets. Responsibilities also include supervising and training the maintenance team and drydock technicians.

The position is located onsite in Norfolk VA and will often require hours beyond a standard work week with flexible schedule availability to support production/operations. Position may require occasional travel.

Job Description:

Docking Operations

  • Ensure operational and system readiness of dry docks, shipyard hauling equipment.
  • Coordinate with Dockmaster and Production to schedule and execute docking operations.
  • Act as SME for fire protection systems for the facilities.
  • Perform ballast control operations and manage drydock technicians, and support personnel, during docking operations and instructions per the dockmaster.
  • Maintain operational documentation, logs, inspections, and reports in accordance with government and company’s requirements for evolutions.
  • Perform block build and jacking block load analysis in accordance with Facilities Certification Report (FCR) for conditions requiring correction, retaining documentation for internal and external audits.


Maintenance & Certifications

  • Develop and oversee comprehensive maintenance program for all dry dock mechanical, structural, electrical and control and support systems.
  • Issue work orders and monitor repair work both during and after completion to ensure work is completed and documented properly.
  • Maintain accurate FCR of the dock facility and operations.
  • Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system of the dry dock and vessels hauled on the dry dock.
  • Serve as Chairman for the Configuration Control Board- responsible for Reviewing, serving as Certifier of Record, and submitting Design Change Report to NAVSEA 04Q for all dock facility and FCR changes that meet requirements.
  • Perform and/or contract control (mechanical & electrical, structural) and UT inspections as needed, per internal controls.
  • Develop and maintain R & M and capital budgets for maintenance including internal labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors for routine and emergent maintenance.
  • Coordinate, maintain, and update as necessary all certification information required by external regulatory bodies and according to internal standards, to include reports, correspondence, audits, technical documentation, and schedules.
  • Maintain cleanliness of interior/exterior drydock environments.


Dock Technical Support

  • Analyze regulatory inspections and certifications to prioritize required repairs.
  • Coordinate with software administrators and facility teams to maintain and optimize maintenance management platforms.
  • Utilize AutoCAD, CMMS, and Excel to obtain proposals of required repairs and document status of completion.


Personnel Management & Training

  • Supervise, mentor and evaluate dry dock staff. Responsibilities include timekeeping, job assignment, and training on operational systems.
  • Supervise, manage, and monitor task progress of subcontractors and shipyard labor during dock repairs and operations.
  • Conduct operational and technical training for dry dock systems and equipment.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, or minimum 7 years of experience in shipyard and marine construction projects or industrial maintenance role with drydock operations.
  • Experience with electronic preventative maintenance system.
  • Experience with budgets, subcontracts, material ordering and production schedules.
  • Knowledge of 5-year testing requirements and ability to maintain documentation for internal and external audits.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD
  • Strong organizational, documentation and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience with maintenance planning, CMMS platforms, and asset lifecycle management
  • Practical experience in electrical systems (up to 480V), control circuitry, hydraulics, mechanical systems, ballast systems, and structural repairs.
  • Ability to liaise effectively across trades, management, external vendors, and regulatory authorities.
  • Knowledge of NAVSEA Standard Items, MARMC, USCG and other certifying authority rules and regulations on all dock operations.
  • Related Department of Defense, NAVSEA, MARMC, USCG and other third-party experience, including managing government customer relationships


Travel Requirements:

  • Minimal Travel; 10% or less.


Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to lift, carry and transport heavy equipment and boxes. The exact weight requirements will be determined by the specific job, but no less than 20 lbs.
  • Able to work on and climb ladders, work in extreme temperature environments, aboard ships, in shipyards, under industrial conditions and in confined spaces, including enter and moving through manholes.
  • Able to perform other duties as required which may involve high heat, humidity, noise and dirty conditions.
  • Frequent exposure to noise due to machinery and equipment.
  • Employee is required to operate trucks, forklifts & man-lifts.
  • While performing the duties of this job, you may frequently be required to stand, walk & sit; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; talk and hear. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, squat, kneel, twist and crawl.
  • Work in extreme temperatures and conditions. At times you will work in areas that have less adequate ventilation
  • Frequent use of respirator.


Respect, Pride, Truth, Family – These are our VALUES and the guidelines that make us a leader in our industry. We are pleased and confident in stating that our skilled employees are among the most respected experts in the ship repair industry.

Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, Colonna’s Shipyard provides a variety of benefits to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid disability insurances, 401k with match, legal services, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

Salary.com Estimation for Drydock Engineer & Operations Manager (Job ID: 1293) in Norfolk, VA
$154,369 to $190,248
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