Federal investments in submarine production are expected to bring 3,500 new jobs to Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in the coming year, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced Friday.
The Rhode Island Democrat, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said General Dynamics Electric Boat is projected to hire 8,000 workers total in 2026 — more than double last year’s projection of 3,000 new hires — as the company works to accelerate production of Virginia-class and Columbia-class nuclear submarines.
Reed credited a series of federal funding measures with fueling the hiring surge, including $1.92 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and $1.5 billion in maritime industrial base funding to boost supplier capacity, infrastructure and workforce training.
“The high, sustained demand for these world-class submarines means a steady stream of work and increased port-related activity at Quonset for years to come,” Reed said. “EB’s hiring needs are persistent and long-term.”
Reed and other Rhode Island lawmakers are expected to attend Electric Boat’s annual legislative breakfast on Feb. 23, where EB President Mark Rayha is expected to outline the company’s hiring plans and production strategy. The Navy’s goal is to deliver one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines per year. Columbia-class boats, which will replace the aging Ohio-class fleet, are currently the Navy’s top acquisition priority.
Electric Boat’s workforce currently exceeds 24,000 employees across its Connecticut and Rhode Island locations. The company has averaged 4,000 new hires annually over the past three years. More than 900 job openings are currently listed on the company’s website for Rhode Island-based positions in metalwork, electronics, plumbing, painting, engineering and administration.
The U.S. Navy currently operates 47 attack submarines against a stated requirement of 66.
Reed also noted that SENEDIA was recently awarded a four-year, $98.3 million contract to continue industrial skills training for more than 8,600 candidates through 2029 as part of the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership.