Electrical Department Manager at SST Direct – Norfolk, Virginia

Direct Hire | Superior Skilled Trades
📍 Honolulu, HI – Relocation Required
💰 $135,000–$150,000/year DOE | Full-Time | Leadership Role

Superior Skilled Trades is partnered with a leading ship repair company supporting U.S. Navy and commercial vessel operations in Hawaii. They operate large dry dock facilities and deliver complex electrical production work across repair, modernization, testing, and commissioning projects.

Our team is seeking an Electrical Department Manager to lead all shipboard electrical production for U.S. Navy and commercial repair projects. This role oversees power distribution, switchboards, generators, cabling, controls, testing, and commissioning in an active ship repair environment.

The manager will lead supervisors and electricians to ensure safe, on-time, and on-budget execution in compliance with NAVSEA and federal contract requirements.

This is a new and strategic position within the organization — designed to strengthen execution, improve accountability, and drive operational excellence across the electrical department.

If you are an experienced shipyard electrical leader ready to build structure, drive performance, and lead large production teams, this is a high-impact opportunity.

Lead and manage daily operations of the Electrical Department supporting ship repair and modernization projects.

Supervise and develop Electrical Supervisors, Foremen, Lead Electricians, Technicians, and production personnel.

Drive schedule adherence, production efficiency, safety compliance, and quality standards across all electrical work.

Oversee power distribution systems, lighting systems, motor controls, switchboards, generators, cabling, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities.

Ensure compliance with NAVSEA requirements, U.S. Navy technical standards, ABS/USCG regulations, and federal contract specifications.

Coordinate manpower, materials, and equipment to support project schedules and budget performance.

Collaborate with Project Managers, Engineering, Planning, and other production departments to resolve technical challenges and eliminate bottlenecks.

Establish measurable productivity goals and monitor department performance daily, weekly, and per project.

Support hiring, workforce development, training, and performance management initiatives.

Implement standardized processes, improve production tracking, and drive continuous improvement.

Oversee electrical safety programs including LOTO, arc flash prevention, energized work controls, and testing procedures.

Estimate labor hours and manpower requirements for upcoming electrical work scopes.

Support budgeting, reporting, and department performance analysis.

• 10+ years of shipyard or heavy industrial electrical experience.

• Strong ship repair background (Navy experience preferred).

• Proven production leadership managing large craft teams.

• Deep knowledge of shipboard electrical systems and repair sequencing.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and technical specifications.

• Experience estimating labor and managing manpower planning.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

• Associate’s Degree in Electrical Technology or related field preferred.

• U.S. Citizenship (required for base access and security requirements).

• Must obtain and maintain TWIC credential.

• Must obtain and maintain DBIDS credential.

• Valid Hawaii REAL ID–compliant driver’s license (Class 3 or higher) OR valid U.S. Passport plus Hawaii driver’s license.

• Ability to pass post-offer drug screening and background check.

• Relocation to Honolulu required.

• Leadership role within a respected shipyard supporting Navy and commercial clients.

• Opportunity to build and shape a new department leadership structure.

• Long-term stability within a growing marine industry organization.

• Performance-driven culture with accountability and measurable results.

• Strong collaboration across production, engineering, and project management teams.

Fast-paced shipyard environment supporting active vessel repair and modernization projects.

Hands-on leadership role with time spent in both office planning and on the production floor overseeing execution.

Frequent coordination with cross-functional teams, supervisors, and trade personnel.