Obsolescence Management Program Representative – COLUMBIA Program Office

Overview

About the Role

 

The COLUMBIA Program continues to advance through serial production, integrating new and rapidly evolving electronic and control system technologies. With similar modernization underway on the VIRGINIA class, the pace of change requires a strong, unified obsolescence management strategy across both submarine platforms.

 

As an Obsolescence Management Program Representative, you will directly support the Obsolescence Coordinator in monitoring, tracking, and executing resolutions for more than 120 electronic and control systems at risk of obsolescence. You will help shape and maintain cross‑program alignment, coordinate supplier engagement, and support redesign and development efforts as systems evolve.

 

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast‑moving technical environments, enjoys cross‑functional teamwork, and is motivated by ensuring program stability and success across major submarine platforms.

 

Working closely with the Obsolescence Coordinator, program leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and Navy stakeholders, you will help drive clarity, communication, and execution across all obsolescence‑related activities within the COLUMBIA Program.

 

Key responsibilities include:

• Support weekly development and maintenance of program metrics, tracking progress, performance, and risk across each obsolescence case.
• Assist in weekly coordination with engineering, purchasing, and VIRGINIA Program counterparts to update POAMs and prepare status briefs for internal leadership and Navy engagements.
• Help integrate cross‑class mitigation plans in partnership with the VIRGINIA Program Office, diversion team, and functional organizations.
• Participate in supplier engagement with engineering and purchasing teams to help remove roadblocks and enable timely redesign, qualification testing, and delivery.
• Support coordination with contracts, finance, and Navy partners to ensure funding is timely and aligned with mitigation and resolution requirements.
• Contribute to monthly Program Management Team (PMT) brief development and help present high‑risk case updates.
• Assist in developing and delivering bi‑annual enterprise‑level obsolescence reviews in collaboration with the Obsolescence Coordinator and engineering/purchasing teams.
• Travel periodically to EB facilities, Washington Engineering Office, and vendor sites as required.

Why This Role Matters

As a Program Representative, you will build broad exposure across engineering, materials, design‑build, planning, construction program offices, SUPSHIP, and NAVSEA. You’ll support the Obsolescence Coordinator in leading the charge against current and emerging technical challenges, contributing to redesign strategies and execution plans that directly impact ship construction and delivery.

 

This role provides a valuable growth pathway toward future program management, technical leadership, supplier management, and cross‑functional coordination roles. The COLUMBIA Design Program Office actively fosters development of forward‑thinking, collaborative leaders eager to influence outcomes and help drive major enterprise initiatives.

 

Benefits and Perks:

• Paid vacation, plus 10 paid holidays each year
• Full Medical and Dental
• Vision Plan and Optical Shop
• Employee Pharmacy 
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health and care giving
• HSA with company seed and match program
• Generous Stock Savings and Investment Plan (401K)
• Athletic Club and Fitness Center
• Discounts to local and national vendors

This position is located at the Design and Engineering facility in New London, CT and is work from home flexible.

 

Applicants must be able to travel between New London, Groton, and occasionally Quonset Point. Applicants may be required to travel occasionally to various subcontractor and vendor sites to support component design and program reviews, as well as to EB Washington Engineering Office (WEO), Newport News Shipbuilding - Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, VA., Washington Navy Yard.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance through the Department of Defense

Preferred:

• Project management / leadership experience
• Program management
• ITAR experience a plus
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering 
• EB COLUMBIA or VIRGINIA Program Office Internship

 

Skills

Skills:

• Strong critical‑thinking abilities and sharp attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven organizational and planning capability, with the ability to manage schedules, milestones, deliverables, and rapidly prioritize tasks
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across teams, leadership and customer organizations
• Capable of working independently with minimal oversight as well as collaboratively within a team, with a focus on overall organizational needs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Power BI, and leveraging AI