Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Combat Systems SME

Type of Requisition:

Pipeline

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Secret

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

Professional Engineering

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Maintenance Management, Planning Ability, Prioritization, Procedure Development, Systematic Training

Certifications:

None

Experience:

15 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

Transform technology into opportunity as a Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Combat Systems SME at GDIT. Shape what’s next for mission-critical government projects while shaping what’s next for your engineering career.
MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT
As a Lead Combat Systems Subject Matter Expert, the work you’ll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Fleet . You will play a crucial role in all Combat Systems SME activities across Readiness Assistance Training Teams (RATT) .
● Lead/Manage/Support day‑to‑day and long‑range combat systems maintenance and engineering activities, ensuring surface ship combat system readiness and reliability. Guide teams through complex technical efforts that directly enable fleet operational effectiveness and mission execution.
● Collaborate with shipboard crews, government program offices, depot maintenance teams, and training organizations to align maintenance priorities, coordinate technical actions, and maintain clear communication across all levels of the combat systems enterprise.
● Drive system performance by assessing operational outcomes, identifying recurring issues, and implementing corrective measures. Lead teams in overcoming challenging system casualties, advancing maintenance practices, and sustaining high readiness across all supported platforms.
● Utilize deep technical expertise in AEGIS and SSDS combat systems, advanced diagnostic tools, Navy maintenance management systems, engineering documentation, and technical directives to provide oversight, develop procedures, mentor technical personnel, and produce high-quality readiness assessments and program reports.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED
Bring your Combat Systems expertise along with a drive for innovation to GDIT. The Lead Combat Systems SME must have:
● Education: Undergrad, associates, or 7 years management experience
● Experience: 15 years supervisory experience in analysis, IS operations, and implementation (25 years highly desired)
● Technical skills:

• Supervisory expertise overseeing Navy surface ship combat systems maintenance activities

• Significant afloat experience serving as STO, CSMM, or CSOOW on multiple AEGIS and SSDS platforms

• Extensive operational background with combat systems across numerous AEGIS and SSDS‑equipped ships

• Maintenance and training staff experience within ISIC, TYCOM, or Afloat Training Group organizations

• Broad maintenance staff proficiency supporting combat systems readiness and sustainment programs

• Deep understanding of depot‑level combat systems maintenance workflows and requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of combat systems theory, functionality, integration, and lifecycle maintenance

● Security clearance level: Active DoW Secret (or higher)
● US citizenship required
● Role requirements:

• Ability to collaborate with senior military personnel, government engineering teams, shipboard crews, and maintenance facilities

• Willingness to travel to fleet concentration areas, shipyards, and waterfront locations

• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams in operational, maintenance, or modernization environments

• Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills suitable for high‑visibility readiness and sustainment programs

• Support CRUDES teams; conduct combat systems assessments during RATT visits.

• Evaluate AEGIS/SSDS, EW, CIWS, VLS, sonar, SPY radar, networks, EW, countermeasures.

• Perform formal documentation of discrepancies, training reports, and combat‑systems portions of visit reports.

• Required to deliver tailored training and build combat systems training curricula.

• Expect 40–45 weeks travel annually; 30% OCONUS.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your ambition to deliver your best work.

The likely salary range for this position is $147,292 - $199,278. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Travel Required:

25-50%

Telecommuting Options:

Onsite

Work Location:

USA CA San Diego

Additional Work Locations:

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

 

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at

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Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans