Job Description
BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest defense contractors is hiring a Chemical Process Expert in Facilities to help conceptualize and execute modernization and sustainment of energetic manufacturing processes at Holston Army Ammunition Plant.
In this position, you will be supporting the Ordnance Systems, Inc. (OSI) Business at our Kingsport, TN facility. This position will report onsite.
BAE Systems is hiring a Principal Engineer in Facility Engineering who will be responsible for engineering and technical tasks to support design and construction of projects to increase, modernize, and sustain chemical production capacity at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) in northeastern Tennessee. The Engineer in this role would be responsible for technical tasks including planning, design, analysis, and engineering inputs into construction and maintenance, determining the process requirements for conceptual projects while also guiding strategic planning, estimating and project scope decisions as they pertain to how best to integrate into the energetic production facilities at HSAAP. This position requires a high degree of technical competence regarding the broad application of engineering principles to the development of new capabilities and/or solutions to customers’ challenging modernization problems. This position will provide technical oversight during the actual field installation and commissioning of equipment.
This function resides in a matrixed organization supporting both facilities planning/strategy as well as production design development support. Most days this role's responsibilities would involve coordinating with the Engineering Manager to determine what projects should be prioritized and the scope of each project's technical requirements. This process involves learning and understanding the current modernization/sustainment strategy for the facility and reconciling that knowledge with the plant's current needs and making recommendations for projects that satisfy both the plant's future and current needs. This would involve reviewing current production process steps and developing equipment or technology recommendations that inform an estimate that could be utilized to prepare a project proposal for submission to the United States Government to be considered for funding. This position will need to have the fundamentals of engineering and design with the capacity to learn the job-specific applications of that knowledge in order to make design specification decisions or make recommendations for production processes. This role possesses significant opportunity for growth since the energetics industry is a unique and specialized industry where the candidate can select their choice of career development (technical or management) should they desire to develop and hone their expertise.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Project Engineering and Execution
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Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams in plant and project engineering, ensuring technical viability and successful completion of all assigned tasks.
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Manage the full project lifecycle: develop technical development plans, create detailed proposals, define scopes of work, and generate accurate engineering estimates.
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Develop and maintain project schedules, workflow timelines, and task duration estimates to ensure on-time delivery within budget.
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Oversee the execution phase to ensure all work adheres to plans, specifications, and industry-standard construction practices.
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Technical Analysis & Design
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Perform complex engineering analyses for thermal, power, pumping/piping, HVAC, and process cooling/heating systems.
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Lead the design and construction of machinery layouts, storage tanks, and pressure vessels.
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Review and approve design packages from external firms and equipment suppliers, providing critical constructability input.
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Conduct facility inspections of buildings, equipment, and pipelines to assess integrity and safety, providing actionable modification recommendations.
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Procurement and Vendor Management
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Lead internal teams and external suppliers in developing drawings, statements of work (SOW), and specification packages for procurement.
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Supervise subcontractor performance to ensure all deliverables meet the defined scope of work.
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Support the Project Manager in budget development, purchase requisition approval, and invoice verification.
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Risk, Safety, and Quality Assurance
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Integrate safety considerations into all aspects of design and operational work.
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Execute commissioning plans and maintain comprehensive technical documentation.
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Provide technical risk management and coordinate program integration with the overall OSI team.
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Perform detailed Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and provide technical recommendations based on evolving or undefined project requirements.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS
Education & Experience
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Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.
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Professional Experience: 5+ years of experience in the chemical process industry, or 6+ years of equivalent relevant engineering experience.
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Core Competencies: Proven track record in engineering design, development, construction, and commissioning, specifically within a technical project leadership role.
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Estimating: Demonstrated experience in project or construction estimating.
Technical Skills & Expertise
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Engineering Breadth: Broad experience in at least one of the following disciplines: Civil, Structural, Process, Machine, Power, Control Systems, or Pumps and Piping System Design.
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Standards & Compliance: Working knowledge of applicable industry codes and standards, including Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC).
Leadership & Communication
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Team Management: Ability to direct internal design teams and external engineering firms and produce comprehensive technical documentation.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to interface effectively with customers, functional departments, and site operations and maintenance teams.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS
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Software Proficiency:
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Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, AutoCAD Inventor).
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Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Microsoft Project.
Credentials & Experience
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Licensure: Professional Engineering (PE) license.
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Tenure: 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
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Sector Expertise: Proven experience managing Department of Defense (DoD) projects and working with Energetics and related processes.
Specialized Industry Knowledge
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Chemical Manufacturing: Experience in the design and construction of chemical manufacturing facilities, specifically those utilizing acids, bases, and solvents for the production of energetic materials.
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Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with demilitarization protocols, explosives site safety (DDESB), and environmental safety regulations (e.g., EPA, TDEC).
Advanced Technical Capabilities
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Systems Analysis: Proficiency in Systems Engineering Analysis and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
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Simulation & Modeling: Experience utilizing Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and other advanced analysis software.
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Design Execution: Ability to generate professional engineering design drawings using industry-standard software.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $96623 - $164259
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Platforms & Services
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
