As part of HII’s Mission Technologies division, our advanced engineering and manufacturing teams bring innovation, rapid prototyping, and mission execution together under one secure roof in the Washington, D.C., region. For more than two decades, these solutions have helped teams move from concept to capability by keeping design, manufacturing, and customer collaboration in the same location.
Close Enough to Move Fast
Being located near Washington, D.C., provides a strategic advantage that few organizations can match. Its proximity to government customers enables faster collaboration, quicker decision making, and immediate problem solving.
“It’s a tremendous capability to have in this region,” said Dan Staples, HII Mission Technologies program manager. “Our government customers are here, and that proximity creates an unparalleled level of intimacy and access. You lose that when engineering or manufacturing is hundreds of miles away or outsourced.”
Inside the facility, proximity becomes more than geography. Cleared engineers and manufacturing specialists work side by side—reviewing digital schematics while precision machining equipment shapes those designs into physical components just steps away. Ideas move from concept to mission‑ready hardware in a matter of days, with design, machining, and refinement happening in a tight, efficient loop.
Our Long-Term Strength Lies in Its People
Along a conference room wall, a series of team photographs traces the evolution of the organization—from its early machining operations in the 1990s to today’s advanced prototyping environment.
In 2011, the team launched a four‑year registered apprenticeship program with the Commonwealth of Virginia, combining 8,000 hours of hands‑on training with 288 hours of classroom instruction. The goal: cultivate the next generation of machinists and ensure critical manufacturing skills remain strong, domestic, and mission‑ready.
In 2012, the first apprentice, Matthew Hartnett, directly out of high school. Four years later, he became the program’s first graduate. Today, he is a full‑time machinist—demonstrating how early investment in talent strengthens long‑term capability.
Russell Capaldo, Mission Technologies’ primary apprentice trainer and a 25‑year member of the team, has seen firsthand how the program has grown alongside the organization.
“We’re starting to see younger generations show renewed interest in hands‑on manufacturing careers,” Capaldo said. “Some students don’t want to take the traditional college path, and this gives them another option—one that’s meaningful, hands on, and essential to the future.”
Today’s apprentices, including Noah Elmasri and Jordin Thomas, represent the next wave of the workforce.
“I first learned about this opportunity while I was still in high school, and it stood out as something I really wanted to pursue,” Elmasri said.
“I was looking for a fresh start and the chance to learn a new trade,” Thomas added. “The support here has made it a great place to grow.”
A Culture Connected
Mission Technologies is at the heart of HII’s future, complementing shipbuilding by blending advanced technologies with platforms that enable speed, innovation, and mission readiness.
Across the facility, the connection is clear: proximity enables collaboration, collaboration drives speed, and speed strengthens mission readiness. From the photographs on the walls to the components taking shape in the shop, the work reflects both where HII has been and where it is going.
This story was written by Madison Hosking during an internship at HII Mission Technologies. For students and early‑career professionals seeking hands-on experience, mentorship, and a meaningful path forward, explore opportunities at hii.com/careers.
