Featured image: Representative submarine photo.
Great news for US shipbuilding, with a massive investment in new technologies and job creation, providing a substantial boost to the local economy. This is in line with the Trump administration’s target to revitalise the US Shipbuilding.
The maritime defence sector is witnessing a historic expansion as General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) officially announced its intent to hire 8,000 new employees in 2026. This recruitment drive represents the largest single-year hiring goal in the company’s history, surpassing the peak production years of the Cold War.
The announcement originated from an internal memo titled the “2026 President’s Intent,” issued by Electric Boat President Mark Rayha. The news was first reported by The Day, a New London-based publication, which obtained the memo detailing the shipbuilder’s aggressive strategy to meet U.S. Navy production demands.
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Meeting the “1+2” Production Cadence
The primary driver behind this 8,000-person surge is the Navy’s requirement for a “1+2” annual delivery schedule. This involves the simultaneous construction of:
- One Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (the nation’s top strategic defense priority).
- Two Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.
To hit these targets, GDEB must overcome significant labour hurdles. The 2026 goal is a massive escalation from the 4,100 hires in 2024 and the 3,000 projected for 2025.
Hiring Breakdown and Facilities
The hiring will be distributed across GDEB’s primary locations in Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as its new design hub.
| Category/Location | Projected Hires | Primary Focus |
| Quonset Point, RI | 3,500 | Manufacturing and hull fabrication |
| Groton, CT | 2,500 | Final assembly and specialised trades |
| Engineering & Design | 1,200 | Technical oversight and systems integration |
| Support & Operations | 800 | HR, logistics, and program management |
A significant portion of the design and administrative workforce will be stationed at the Crystal Mall site in Waterford, CT, which GDEB is currently converting into a massive office and engineering complex to alleviate crowding at the Groton shipyard.
Addressing the Skills Gap
Hiring 8,000 people is one thing; training them is another. The maritime industry is currently facing a “silver tsunami” of retirements. To counter this, GDEB is heavily relying on federal government funding for the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB).
The company plans to utilize regional trade schools and “pipeline” programs to fast-track welders, pipefitters, and electricians. As Mark Rayha noted in his memo, the focus for 2026 isn’t just on recruitment, but on retention and proficiency, ensuring that new hires can contribute to the complex nuclear submarine builds as quickly as possible.
While the task is monumental, the stakes are higher. With global maritime tensions rising, the pressure to deliver the next generation of the “Silent Service” has never been greater.
Sources
- The Day (New London, CT): “Electric Boat sets goal of 8,000 hires in 2026” (February 7, 2026).
- U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) News: Submarine Industrial Base funding reports.
- GDEB Internal Communications: “2026 President’s Intent” memo.
