Digital Research Engineer

Req
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

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.

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.

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.

• 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…