James Aaron Simmons
Shawboro
Summary
Dynamic Technical Director with extensive experience at Commander Navy Regional Maintenance Center, excelling in multi-discipline engineering and project management. Proven track record in enhancing safety compliance and quality assurance across naval operations, leading multi-disciplinary teams to achieve operational excellence and streamline maintenance processes. Recognized for strategic leadership and impactful decision-making.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical Director (NH-IV)
Commander Navy Regional Maintenance Center
Norfolk
11.2019 - Current
- Provide strategic and technical leadership with a broad scope of responsibility that includes engineering, quality assurance, safety, and fire safety for the entire enterprise of seven Regional Maintenance Centers and all their detachments.
- Directly responsible for the overarching technical policies and procedures governing surface ship maintenance and repair for the U.S. Navy.
- Serve as the final authority on complex engineering and quality assurance issues, ensuring standardization and compliance across all RMC operations globally.
- Collaborate with high-level military and civilian leadership to develop and implement long-range plans, improve business practices, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of naval maintenance activities.
- Oversee a robust safety and fire safety program, ensuring the highest standards of operational readiness and personnel protection are maintained across all RMCs.
Supervisory Engineering Technician (GS-14)
Ship Repair Facility – Japan Regional Maintenance Center
02.2015 - 11.2019
- Held a key leadership role in the Engineering and Planning Department, first as the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) CVN Project Engineer (PE) and then as the Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) Fleet and Industrial Support Division Head.
- In these roles, I managed and directed all aspects of engineering, planning, and technical support for a variety of U.S. Naval vessels, including combatants, submarines, and aircraft carriers.
- I led large, multi-disciplinary teams of up to 80 employees, providing expert technical leadership and strategic oversight.
- Your responsibilities included: Project and Program Management: Oversaw all phases of ship maintenance and repair, including availability planning, scheduling, work packaging, and execution.
- Technical Authority and Expertise: Acted as the command's representative on technical matters, exercising delegated technical and certification authority for critical systems and resolving complex engineering issues, often with limited resources.
- Team Leadership: Supervised subordinate supervisors and led teams of engineers and technicians, ensuring work was completed on schedule, to a high standard, and in adherence to Navy specifications.
- Inter-organizational Coordination: Served as the primary point of contact for external technical and logistical organizations (e.g., NAVSEA, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard), coordinating efforts and representing the command at conferences.
- Fleet Support: Provided direct Fleet Technical Assistance (FTA), on-board maintenance training, and comprehensive system condition assessments.
Mechanical Engineer (GS-12)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth
06.2010 - 02.2015
Education
Masters of Engineering - Fire Protection Engineering
University of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD, United States09.2025
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Graphics Communications
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC, United States05.2010
High School Diploma -
Camden County High School
Camden, NC, United States05-2006
Skills
- Fire protection engineering
- Project management
- Safety compliance
- Technical leadership
- Equipment maintenance
- Quality assurance
Certification
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, Passed
Job Related Training
- A4W Reactor Plant Systems Training, 06/01/19
- NAVSEA 04X One Nuclear Shipyard Senior Leader Workshop, 05/01/18
- Engineering Technical Authority Familiarization, 05/01/18
- Project Management Fundamentals, 07/01/16
- CACI Certified Project Management Fundamentals for Japan Instructor (Technical Planning Module), 10/01/15 - Present
References
- Eric Lind, CNRMC, Executive Director, 703-795-3453, Eric.k.lind.civ@us.navy.mil
- RDML Dan Lannamann, CNRMC, Commanding Officer, 202-423-3994, daniel.l.lannamann.mil@us.navy.mil
- RDML Eric VerHage, OSD, Military Deputy to DASD for International and Industrial Engagement, 202-672-4319, Eric.h.verhage.mil@mail.mil
- Pat McDermott, PACFLT, SWE Maintenance Program Manager, 808-603-0084, patrick.m.mcdermott.civ@us.navy.mi
Work Schedule
Full-Time
Job Type
Permanent
Awards
- FLAG Letter of Appreciation for outstanding leadership during Safety Investigation Board at SWRMC. RDML Eric Ver Hage, CNRMC
- FLAG Letter of Appreciation for outstanding leadership in support of Major Fires Review. VADM Dave Kriete DCOM USFFC
- Mulitple On the spot and performance awards
Timeline
Technical Director (NH-IV)
Commander Navy Regional Maintenance Center
11.2019 - Current
Supervisory Engineering Technician (GS-14)
Ship Repair Facility – Japan Regional Maintenance Center
02.2015 - 11.2019
Mechanical Engineer (GS-12)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
06.2010 - 02.2015
Masters of Engineering - Fire Protection Engineering
University of Maryland College Park
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Graphics Communications
North Carolina State University
High School Diploma -
Camden County High School
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