Fire Control Technician

Job Title: Fire Control Technician / Hardware Engineer Submarine Training SystemsJob Description

This role combines fire control test subject matter expertise with hands-on hardware engineering to support advanced submarine training systems for the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy. You will work on fast-paced, cutting-edge trainer programs that often integrate software builds and capabilities ahead of their deployment to the operational submarine fleet. The position is based on site in Manassas, VA, with regular travel to Navy bases and international locations to install, test, and support training systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans to prepare submarine training systems for delivery.
• Create and implement system verification test documentation at customer sites to validate and sell off deliverable systems.
• Instruct customers, users, and internal personnel in the operation and maintenance of training systems, providing expert technical guidance.
• Participate in tactical planning and system design activities, including attending system operation demonstrations at industry partner locations.
• Design, develop, analyze, and troubleshoot systems, applying technical skills during research and product development efforts.
• Install, configure, test, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot development hardware supporting submarine training systems.
• Support the design and implementation of hardware infrastructure required for trainer and network environments.
• Collaborate effectively within the engineering team and support colleagues with design, materials, equipment setup, maintenance, and related technical issues.
• Maintain accurate hardware inventory records and document all hardware configuration changes.
• Support analysis of power and cooling requirements for server room sustainment and overall system reliability.
• Test software builds and participate in installation activities for submarine trainer programs, including modernization trainers deployed to Navy schoolhouses.
• Support remote patching and troubleshooting activities within the trainer network environment.
• Build strong internal and external working relationships to facilitate successful system deployment and support.
• Show initiative and exercise independent judgment in planning and executing assignments with minimal direction.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Apply effective problem-solving skills to resolve process and technical issues in both laboratory and field environments.
• Travel approximately 10% of the time to domestic and international sites for installation, testing, and customer support.

Essential Skills

• Expert knowledge of the AN/BYG-1 Combat Control System.
• Experience working with the Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System (SWFTS) community.
• Significant experience in installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network and computer hardware.
• Prior experience as a Submarine Fire Control Technician (FT).
• Ability to build effective internal and external working relationships.
• Demonstrated initiative, independent judgment, and ability to execute projects with limited supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills for resolving process and technical issues.
• Ability and willingness to travel at least 10% of the time, including multi-week trips.
• Bachelors or Technology degree in Engineering or a related specialized field, or equivalent (4 years of job-related experience).
• Additional 2+ years of job-related experience or a Masters degree in a relevant field.
• Eligibility for and possession of a Department of Defense Secret security clearance at time of hire.
• Ability to meet U.S. Government eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• U.S. citizenship, due to the nature of work performed within secure facilities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Navy submarine design.
• Experience with MPA, NECDIS, Strike, and ISAT systems.
• Experience with AN/BVY-1 systems.
• Experience with AN/BQQ-10 systems.
• Experience with AN/BLQ-10 systems.
• Basic Linux command line navigation skills.
• Hands-on experience with submarine fire control test activities, preferably gained on a submarine.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with customers, users, and engineering teams.
• Experience installing and troubleshooting complex hardware environments, including server and network infrastructure.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, evolving environments where software builds and capabilities may be in early stages of development.

Work Environment

This position is based 100% on site at a facility in Manassas, VA, working five days per week in a secure engineering and laboratory environment. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and Navy stakeholders on advanced trainer programs, including submarine modernization trainers deployed to Navy schoolhouses and networked systems that enable remote patching and troubleshooting. The role requires regular travel, including trips to Navy bases such as San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Bangor, Norfolk, Groton, Kings Bay, and Perth, Australia. International travel may involve stays of 23 weeks at a time to support installations and testing (for example, Pearl Harbor installations and deployments to Australia). The environment includes server rooms and hardware labs where you will support power and cooling analysis, hardware installation, and maintenance. You will operate within a structured, security-conscious setting that emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and mission-focused work supporting submarine training capabilities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Manassas, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Manassas, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Manassas,VA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.