Project Manager, Defense & Government

Company: MSHS Pacific Power Group
Location: Remote - Homebase Kent, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Program Manager
Salary Range: $130,000–$140,000 per year (based on experience) + field overtime bonus opportunities
Annual Performance Bonus: Eligible
Sign-On Bonus: $2,000
Travel: Up to 75%, including domestic and international travel

Position Overview

MSHS Pacific Power Group is seeking an experienced Project Manager, Defense & Government to oversee maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and overhaul projects involving marine power and propulsion systems supporting national security and military operations.

This remote position, with a homebase in Kent, Washington, is a hands-on project management role that requires active involvement in field operations, shipyard activities, and technical project execution. The ideal candidate will bring strong project management and leadership capabilities, extensive technical knowledge of marine diesel engines, and direct experience working in shipyard and field-service environments supporting military or government customers.

The Project Manager will oversee all phases of project and contract execution, from initial planning through completion, while maintaining an active presence in the field to support technicians, troubleshoot technical challenges, coordinate repairs, and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and to specification. This individual will balance hands-on technical involvement with project oversight, ensuring compliance with government requirements, industry standards, quality expectations, safety requirements, and contractual deliverables.

The ideal candidate will combine hands-on marine diesel engine expertise with strong project leadership skills, including the ability to work alongside technicians, coordinate subcontractors, manage project schedules and budgets, resolve field issues, and maintain strong relationships with government representatives and commercial customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for government representatives and commercial customers regarding contract performance, technical issues, project status, and dispute resolution.
• Manage all phases of contract execution, including project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, coordination, and reporting.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee marine diesel engine maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, commissioning, and overhaul activities.
• Ensure maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities comply with applicable American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) requirements, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards, and contractual specifications.
• Develop project work scopes, coordinate labor and material requirements, assign qualified technicians, and manage daily execution.
• Oversee the assignment, performance, and coordination of key personnel, including certified technicians, shop mechanics, subcontractors, and supporting trades.
• Lead and participate in shipyard and overhaul management meetings, integrating engine maintenance activities into broader shipyard schedules and project milestones.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP) in alignment with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
• Monitor and manage project deliverables, including Overhaul Completion Reports, Condition Found Reports, and monthly status updates.
• Identify and document condition-found work, technical issues, recommended corrective actions, and potential impacts on cost, schedule, and project performance.
• Coordinate subcontractors and verify that all work meets contractual, technical, quality, safety, and schedule requirements.
• Track labor, materials, project progress, milestones, work packages, and project documentation to maintain visibility into project performance.
• Address customer feedback, complaints, and performance evaluations, implementing corrective actions and process improvements as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with applicable contract clauses and government requirements, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), safety requirements, and anti-trafficking policies.
• Identify project risks, resolve operational challenges, and maintain clear communication with internal stakeholders, customers, and subcontractors.
• Manage multiple work scopes and priorities across geographically dispersed projects.
• Coordinate project activities across multiple time zones and travel to shipyards and customer locations domestically and internationally as required.

Required Qualifications – Defense Project Manager

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in shipyard environments, with direct knowledge of marine diesel engines.
• Extensive hands-on experience maintaining, repairing, overhauling, troubleshooting, and commissioning marine diesel engines.
• Strong technical knowledge of MTU and comparable high-speed marine diesel engines.
• Proven ability to interpret technical manuals, drawings, specifications, work packages, and statements of work.
• Experience planning and leading engine maintenance and overhaul work in shipyard or field-service environments.
• Ability to develop work scopes, estimate labor and material requirements, assign technicians, and coordinate daily project execution.
• Strong understanding of marine vessel systems, shipboard work practices, quality requirements, and safety standards.
• Ability to identify condition-found work, document technical issues, recommend corrective actions, and communicate impacts to customers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technicians, subcontractors, and supporting trades while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, schedule, and workmanship.
• Strong troubleshooting, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technicians, customers, shipyard personnel, and government representatives.
• Ability to track labor, materials, progress, milestones, and project documentation.
• Experience managing government contracts and supporting military operations within commercial shipyards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects, work scopes, and priorities across geographically dispersed locations.
• Strong project management, planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel up to 75%, including extensive travel to shipyards and customer locations, domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple time zones.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances and facility-access credentials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Formal project management certification, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or an equivalent PMO-recognized certification.
• Working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements applicable to U.S. Government contracts.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Military Sealift Command (MSC), Maritime Administration (MARAD), or other federal customers.
• OEM training or certification on MTU 8V396 and/or 20V4000 engines.
• Prior experience working with MTU or an authorized MTU distributor or service organization.
• Experience with government contract documentation, quality requirements, contractual deliverables, and customer reporting.
• Experience coordinating technicians, subcontractors, materials, schedules, and shipyard activities across multiple projects.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and ISO 9001:2015 standards.
• Knowledge of technical manual development and technical training program delivery.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $130,000–$140,000, based on experience.
• Annual Performance Bonus: Eligible for an annual performance bonus.
• Sign-On Bonus: $2,000.
• Remote Work: Remote position with a homebase in Kent, Washington.
• Travel: Up to 75%, including domestic and international travel.

Company Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Additional voluntary benefits, including pet insurance and supplemental coverage.

Benefits are subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan terms.

Why Join MSHS Pacific Power Group?

Join MSHS Pacific Power Group and contribute to critical power and propulsion system projects supporting national security and military operations. You'll collaborate with experienced technical professionals and play an important role in delivering reliable, high-quality service to government and commercial customers.

This is an opportunity for a technically experienced marine diesel professional to combine hands-on industry knowledge with project leadership, customer relationship management, and government contract execution.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MSHS Pacific Power Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

MSHS Pacific Power Group is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with applicable company policies, including drug-free workplace requirements.

Clarify the remote work and travel expectations