Field Services Manager

Description

Who We Are

Founded in 1995, Vigor Marine Group is an established, innovative and integrated partner with a national footprint in the marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication and marine services. Evolving over decades from a collection of the best-in-class companies with unique and complementary capabilities on the East and West coasts, our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors. Today we offer advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry and more.

With four shipyards for maintenance and modernization and one for fabrication, including the largest floating dry dock in the western hemisphere, our more than 2,500 dedicated employees across four states - from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego to Norfolk - personify the values of our company. Vigor Marine Group takes pride in being the employer of choice for our employees, who in turn take great pride in their contributions to the communities where they live and work, and to their nation - through their living wage jobs supporting their local economies, and through the word-class maritime and industrial services they provide to further our defense readiness and national security.

Where we are - Marine Fabrication

Vancouver, Washington is surrounded by forests, rivers, and mountains and is a top destination for outdoor lovers. It has a mild climate with four seasons. Its mild winters and warm summers make it an attractive city in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is more affordable city than its neighbors, Portland and Seattle and has no state income tax. It is a vibrant city full of restaurants, shops and parks, and is known for its walkability, historic charm and family friendly neighborhoods. Vancouver has garnered many awards including Livability's "Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US in 2025 and 2023" and Niche's 2025 rankings include Vancouver on several lists including Best City for Outdoor Activities, a Healthiest Place to Live in America and several others. Healthcare is the city's largest employer, followed by manufacturing and technology.

PAY RANGE: $104,000 - 112,000

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

(This list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work, or to cover all possible complex build platforms that require testing but is representative of the job's overall responsibilities.)

• Serve as the primary on-site technical and operational lead supporting vessel testing, operational trials, deployment support, and post-delivery sustainment activities.
• Proficiently operate the vessel and its systems, including functioning as Coxswain/Boat Captain, while ensuring compliance with operational, safety, and mission requirements.
• Lead cross-functional coordination between Company personnel, OEMs, Government representatives, subcontractors, and vessel crews to resolve operational and technical deficiencies.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, document, and coordinate resolution of complex mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, propulsion, and integrated vessel system failures.
• Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations involving mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, propulsion, navigation, communication, and integrated vessel systems.
• Analyze system failures, operational trends, maintenance data, and test results to identify recurring deficiencies and recommend corrective actions and reliability improvements.
• Conduct root cause analysis and coordinate corrective actions to restore operational capability and minimize mission downtime.
• Coordinate with Engineering, OEMs, Program Management, and Government stakeholders to develop and implement corrective action plans for identified system failures.
• Support reliability growth initiatives through technical analysis, trend monitoring, and recommendations for system improvements, maintenance procedure updates, and engineering changes.
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting failure analysis findings, corrective actions, operational impacts, and recommended preventative measures.
• Prepare and manage Failure Analysis and Corrective Action Reports (FACARs), collaborating with Engineering, OEMs, Program Management, and customer representatives.
• Conduct operator, maintainer, and familiarization training for military, civilian, and contractor personnel to ensure safe and effective vessel operation and maintenance.
• Advise Government customers and Program Management on operational readiness, sustainment planning, maintenance strategies, and lifecycle support considerations.
• Support sea trials, certifications, operational testing, system validations, and mission readiness evaluations.
• Provide technical recommendations supporting Equipment Improvement Recommendations (EIRs), engineering changes, technical publications, maintenance procedures, and configuration management efforts.
• Support installation, integration, testing, and validation of system upgrades, modifications, and mission equipment.
• Identify operational risks, technical deficiencies, and process improvement opportunities impacting vessel readiness, delivery schedules, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Support warranty investigations, technical evaluations, and follow-on support initiatives associated with Government contracts and fleet sustainment activities.
• Assist Program Management with schedule execution, milestone tracking, customer coordination, technical reporting, and operational planning activities.
• Prepare and deliver recurring operational readiness, testing, maintenance, and technical status reports to Company leadership and Government stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee assigned FSR personnel supporting testing, trials, and deployment operations during the period of performance.

JOB SCOPE

The FSR Manager acts as the senior field authority supporting operational readiness, lifecycle sustainment, technical integration, mission execution, and failure analysis for deployed maritime systems and medium-sized vessels (50-150 feet) supporting Department of Defense customers.

This role functions as both a technical expert and operational leader ("player-coach"), responsible for coordinating field service operations, customer support activities, technical troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and cross-functional program execution efforts associated with testing, deployment, sustainment, and post-delivery vessel operations.

The FSR Manager serves as the lead field-level technical authority for failure analysis, troubleshooting, and corrective action development associated with complex vessel systems and mission equipment. Responsibilities include conducting root cause investigations, evaluating system reliability trends, coordinating engineering support efforts, and developing recommendations to improve operational availability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance.

The FSR Manager must possess advanced knowledge of all aspects of maritime vessel operations and maintenance, including:

• Navigation and communications systems
• Main propulsion and auxiliary machinery
• Power generation and electrical distribution
• Fuel, lubrication, cooling, intake, and exhaust systems
• HVAC and refrigeration systems
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Steering and vessel control systems
• Hull systems and structural repair
• Integrated electronic and mission systems

The FSR Manager must demonstrate advanced proficiency in:

• Diagnosing and resolving complex system faults
• Performing corrective and preventive maintenance
• Conducting root cause and failure analysis
• Supporting engineering changes and system upgrades
• Leading operational troubleshooting efforts during trials and deployments
• Coordinating technical and operational support across multiple stakeholders
• Managing customer-facing operational support activities
• Supporting fleet readiness and lifecycle sustainment initiatives

Additional responsibilities include:

• Supporting operational planning and mission configuration activities
• Assisting with testing, certifications, and deployment readiness evaluations
• Supporting configuration management and technical baseline control
• Providing operational risk assessments and technical recommendations
• Supporting future contract opportunities through technical expertise and customer engagement

Extensive domestic and international travel in support of testing, training, deployment, and customer support operations is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

The position may have up to four (4) direct reports, to include individual providing FSR-related services OCONUS

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

FSRs coordinates his/her efforts with managers and supervisors at all levels in the business unit and the customer organization, including other Leads. Each FSR must be effective at influencing and collaborating with other managers and peers not in the direct line of authority in order to perform successfully. The position represents the Company through formal and informal interactions with the customer. Additionally, the individual interacts with industry peers on a less frequent basis. The contractor shall ensure all onsite and reach back test support is readily available to keep all test activities on schedule. Each FSR shall be the primary point of contact (POC) for vessel testing and trialing activities.

KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITIES

• Experience with Power-by-the-Hour and/or Performance Based Logistics (PBL) is desirable.
• Experience operating high-performance maritime craft on inland waterways and near shore
• Experience with medium to large landing craft in beaching and extraction using a kedge anchor
• Experience with amphibious on-load and off-load of cargo from craft
• Strong leadership skills, including conflict resolution, real-time decision-making, high performance expectations and the capability of inspiring the team to meet them.
• Strong customer relationship skills in terms of achieving customer satisfaction through their knowledge and ability to train effectively.
• Effective communication skills that span the customer and project population. Skilled at acquiring knowledge through asking the right questions.
• Expertise in problem solving and prioritization
• Understands and can leverage a "siege mentality," including identifying and nurturing the key informal leaders who can help keep things moving when other means fail.
• Strong entrepreneurial outlook with a clearly demonstrated sense of ownership over both the process and the results.
• Demonstrated hands-on approach to problem-solving and knowing the project.
• Capable of effectively handling multiple priorities on own with little or no supervisory guidance.
• Be able to obtain and retain a Security clearance (Secret or higher)
• Ability to work in shipboard and austere environments

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience (military or industry…military preferred)
• Associate degree or similar is desirable, but not required
• Experience operating vessels and/or landing watercraft (preferred) inshore and nearshore
• Diesel engine mechanical experience preferred
• Minimum (10) years of progressively more complex work experience that demonstrates in-depth knowledge of maritime craft including the systems and subsystems required to operate.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

• USCG Captains Licensure and MTU repair certification are required.
• Proven experience with the SOCOM Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK LOCATION:

Work is conducted onboard a dynamic, fast-paced maritime craft near shore with moderate to loud noise levels from craft operation. The individual will be required to transit within the confined passageways of the craft and to perform work various field sites year-round in all weather conditions. He/she must be able to walk on the vessel and navigate interior ladders and walkways including standing for long periods of time, while underway in adverse conditions (sea state, sun, heat, wind, rain, snow, ice) and traverse internal and external ladders as needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The FSR Manager will be expected to coordinate travel to/from vessel berthing / staging locations and follow Company procedures for travel and related expense reports.

Successful candidates must be willing and able to travel up to 35% of any given month. International travel will be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Primary job sites are large construction areas and/or controlled access facilities requiring the ability to work in all weather conditions and conform to customer safety and security requirements. Daily craft transits inland and near shore are to be expected with occasional events taking place at alternate locations requiring travel (1-2 weeks). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CITIZENSHIP: Pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires US citizenship.

Vigor Industrial LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are drug, smoke and vape-free workplaces. Prospective employees must pass a drug and alcohol test and background check as pre-employment screening.

Vigor Values

Vigor expects all employees to enhance the atmosphere in which they work by living the Vigor Values every day.

Truth: We seek the truth, and we speak the truth

Responsibility: We act on what we know is right

Evolution: We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing world

Love: We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in

At Vigor we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical

RX

Dental

Vision

Life

AD&D

LTD

STD

EAP

Discretionary bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

FSA (Medical, Childcare, Transportation)

10 paid holidays

PTO

401(k)

Vigor and its wholly owned subsidiaries are committed to inclusion and diversity by providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veterans, age, genetics, the presence of a physical or mental condition or disability that can be reasonably accommodated, or any other protected class under relevant laws in the locations we operate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and can be requested with Vigor's Human Resources Department.

In addition to federal law requirements, Vigor complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and non-retaliation in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.