DIGITAL RESEARCH ENGINEER

Location:

Newport News, Virginia, United States

Date: Mar 4, 2026

Req ID: 45572
Team: T56 BUSN TECH&TRANS
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding

US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes

Full-Time
Shift: 1st
Relocation: No relocation assistance available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: Yes - Occasional or hybrid telework available

Travel Requirement: Yes, 10%-25% of the time

Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start

Meet HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees – including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders – HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We’re the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. Anchored in our rich, 135-year history, we collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.

The Role

Design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software. Set operational specifications, and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software.

We are seeking a Research Engineer to join our Digital Innovation team and help drive cutting-edge solutions that leverage emerging technologies. In this role, you will explore, prototype, and develop innovative concepts that support strategic business objectives. You will work in an Agile environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to rapidly iterate and deliver high-impact solutions. This position requires a strong technical foundation, creativity, and a passion for solving complex problems through research and experimentation.

Key responsibilities include:
• Conducting research on emerging technologies and evaluating their potential for business applications.
• Designing and developing prototypes to validate concepts and demonstrate feasibility.
• Collaborating with product owners, designers, and engineers to translate ideas into actionable solutions.
• Applying Agile principles to manage iterative development and deliver incremental value.
• Documenting findings and presenting recommendations to stakeholders.

Must Have

Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of relevant exempt experience; Master?s Degree and 0 year of relevant professional experience

One of the following may be used as an equivalent to Bachelor's Degree for Information Technology Related Positions Only:

NNS Apprentice School graduate
Navy Nuclear Power School (NNPS) graduate
Associate's Degree or other formal 2 year program and 2 years of relevant exempt experience or 4 years of relevant non-exempt experience
Military Paygrade E-5 or above military experience
High School/GED and 4 years combined of Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience or other relevant exempt experience
High School/GED and 8 years combined of Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience or other relevant non-exempt experience
A relevant professional certification can be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field with 2 years professional experience, Master's degree and 0 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in software engineering, research, or technology innovation roles.
• Master's degree and 0 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and iterative development practices.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and propose innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Nice to Have

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with emerging technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, AR/VR/XR, Cloud.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and modern development tools.
• Background in rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept development.
• Familiarity with data science workflows and ML Ops principles.
• Strong analytical and research skills with a track record of innovation.

Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.

Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.

Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Apply now »