What Huntington Ingalls Industries does

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is a private shipbuilder that constructs naval vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. The company operates two major shipyards: Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, which builds aircraft carriers and submarine reactors, and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi, which builds destroyers, littoral combat ships, and amphibious vessels. HII does not build commercial ships or civilian vessels — it specializes entirely in military and government contracts.

The company employs roughly 42,000 workers across its shipyards and support facilities. Most jobs are in skilled trades — welders, electricians, pipefitters, and machinists — though the company also hires engineers, project managers, and administrative staff. Unlike some private contractors, HII operates under strict federal oversight because it builds classified military equipment and handles sensitive defense technology.

Key Takeaways

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries operates two major U.S. Navy shipyards: Newport News in Virginia and Ingalls in Mississippi, each building different classes of warships.
  • Most HII jobs are in skilled trades such as welding, electrical work, and machining, and require background checks because the work involves classified defense contracts.
  • The company is publicly traded and reports financial results quarterly, so you can research its stability and contract pipeline through investor documents.
  • HII shipyard workers typically earn union wages and benefits, with pay scales that vary by trade, experience level, and location.
  • Employment at HII requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and a security clearance for most positions.

The two HII shipyards and what they build

Newport News Shipbuilding, located in Newport News, Virginia, is the larger of the two yards and specializes in aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines. It is the only U.S. shipyard that can refuel and overhaul nuclear aircraft carriers, which makes it irreplaceable for Navy operations. The yard currently builds the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers and performs maintenance on existing carriers. It also handles nuclear reactor work for the Navy's submarine fleet.

Ingalls Shipbuilding, located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, builds surface combatants and amphibious ships. Its current contracts include Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), and San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks. Ingalls also builds Coast Guard cutters and has historically built other specialized vessels for government agencies. The two yards rarely compete for the same contract — the Navy typically assigns ship classes to one yard or the other based on existing informed and capacity.

Both yards operate under long-term contracts with the U.S. Navy. These contracts are usually multi-year agreements that specify the number of ships to be built, the timeline, and the price. The Navy funds these contracts through annual defense appropriations, which means the company's workload depends partly on Congressional budget decisions and partly on the Navy's strategic priorities.

Job types and hiring requirements at HII

The majority of HII jobs fall into skilled trades: welders, electricians, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, machinists, and painters. These positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent and either an apprenticeship, trade school certification, or on-the-job training. HII operates its own apprenticeship programs and also hires people who completed apprenticeships elsewhere. Trade positions are usually union jobs with defined wage scales and benefits.

Engineering and technical positions require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field — naval architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or systems engineering are common. Project managers, planners, and quality assurance roles also require college degrees, though some can be filled by people with extensive trade experience and additional certifications. Administrative and support roles have varying requirements depending on the specific job.

All HII employees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and pass a background check. Most positions require a security clearance — the level depends on the job. Entry-level trade positions may require a Secret clearance, while engineering and management roles often require Top Secret clearance. The clearance process can take several months, so the company typically extends a conditional job offer while the clearance is being processed. You cannot start work until the clearance is granted.

Pay and benefits for HII workers

HII trade workers are represented by unions — primarily the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America (IUMSWA) at Newport News and the United Steelworkers (USW) at Ingalls. Union contracts set wage scales based on job classification and years of service. A newly hired welder earns less than a welder with 10 years of experience, and wages vary between trades. Exact pay depends on the current union contract, which is renegotiated periodically.

Salaried employees (engineers, managers, and administrative staff) are not union members and negotiate individual compensation packages. HII publishes salary ranges in job postings, though the actual offer depends on experience, education, and the specific role. The company also offers performance bonuses tied to contract milestones and company profitability.

Both union and salaried employees receive health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Union contracts typically include defined-benefit pension plans, while salaried employees may have 401(k) plans or other retirement options. The company also offers tuition information for employees pursuing further education and training programs for skill development.

How to research HII's financial stability and contract outlook

Huntington Ingalls Industries is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HII. This means you can research the company's financial health through public documents. The company files quarterly earnings reports (10-Q forms) and annual reports (10-K forms) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These documents describe the company's revenue, profit, backlog of orders, and major contracts.

The backlog is particularly important for job security — it shows how many ships the company is contracted to build in future years. A large backlog suggests stable employment, while a shrinking backlog may signal future layoffs. You can find backlog information in the company's quarterly earnings calls, which are transcribed and available on the HII investor relations website.

You can also track HII's contracts through the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). These government databases show all federal contracts awarded to private companies, including the contract value and duration. Knowing what contracts HII has won or lost helps you understand whether the company is growing or contracting.

Security clearances and background checks

Most HII positions require a security clearance because the company builds classified military equipment. The clearance level depends on the job — some positions require only a Secret clearance, while others require Top Secret or Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). The company initiates the clearance process after you receive a conditional job offer.

The clearance investigation includes a background check, credit check, drug test, and interviews with people who know you. The process typically takes three to six months, though it can be longer if the investigator needs to follow up on issues in your background. You cannot start work until the clearance is granted. If you have a criminal record, significant debt, or foreign connections, the clearance may be delayed or denied.

HII will not pay you during the clearance waiting period, though some positions may allow you to start on unclassified work while the clearance is pending. Once you have a clearance, it remains valid for a set period (usually five years for Secret, ten years for Top Secret) and transfers if you move to another cleared position at HII or another defense contractor.

Differences between Newport News and Ingalls locations

The two HII shipyards operate independently and build different types of ships, so the work environment and job opportunities differ. Newport News is larger, older, and more established — it has been building Navy ships since 1886. The yard specializes in complex, high-value ships (aircraft carriers), which means projects are longer and more technically demanding. Jobs at Newport News tend to be more stable because aircraft carrier construction spans many years.

Ingalls is newer and more modern in some facilities, though it also has older sections. It builds smaller, faster-to-construct ships (destroyers and littoral combat ships), which means the work moves more quickly and the yard cycles through projects more frequently. This can mean more variety in daily work but also more potential for layoffs between major contracts. Ingalls is located in a lower cost-of-living area, so wages may be slightly lower than Newport News, though union contracts set most rates.

Both yards are in areas with established shipbuilding communities and strong union presence. Housing costs, commute times, and local job markets differ significantly between Virginia and Mississippi, so location choice affects your overall financial situation beyond just the HII paycheck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior shipbuilding experience to get hired at HII?

No. HII hires people without shipbuilding experience for trade apprenticeships and entry-level positions. You need a high school diploma or equivalent and a willingness to learn. The company provides on-the-job training and also partners with local trade schools. Prior experience in a related trade (welding, electrical work, plumbing) is helpful but not required.

How long does the security clearance process take?

The process typically takes three to six months from the time you receive a conditional job offer. It can be faster or slower depending on how quickly the investigator can reach people who know you and whether any issues in your background require additional investigation. You should not expect to start work until the clearance is granted.

What happens if I don't get the security clearance?

If your clearance is denied, HII will not hire you for the position. You can appeal the decision through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), though the appeal process is lengthy. Some positions at HII do not require a clearance, so you may be able to transfer to an unclassified role if one is available.

Are HII jobs union jobs?

Trade positions at both yards are union jobs represented by IUMSWA or USW. Salaried positions (engineers, managers, administrative staff) are not union. Union membership is mandatory for trade positions, and union dues are deducted from your paycheck. Union contracts set wage scales, benefits, and working conditions.

Can I work at HII if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

No. HII requires all employees to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents because the company builds classified military equipment. Visa holders, temporary workers, and people on work permits cannot be hired. Permanent residency (a green card) is acceptable, but you must still pass the security clearance process.