Newport News Shipbuilding is home to many generational shipbuilders – those who follow in their families’ footsteps – while other shipbuilders come to NNS because they want to support the United States and its Navy.

Both paths ring true for Steve (E84) and Eric Hunley (E25), brothers who now both work in the test engineering field – Steve as a manager with nuclear and propulsion test engineering on Virginia-class submarines and Eric as a combat systems lead test engineer for aircraft carriers.

After 18 years at NNS – much of that time spent with the same group of shipbuilders – Steve said that his career is deeply personal. He found his love for shipbuilding through his grandfather, a submariner who finished his career as a shipbuilder.

“He’s recently passed, and there’s a story about him that’s wild to me,” Steve said. “When he was active duty, he received orders to the Thresher back in 1958; however, his orders were changed incredibly last minute to the Robert E. Lee, at the time under construction here at NNS. I can’t help but think: If that manning change hadn’t have happened, do I even exist? So my dad moves to Norfolk with him, and eventually met my mom. I’m now building new construction subs, and I ride the alpha sea trials.”

NNS shipbuilders should be familiar with the tragic story of Thresher, a submarine that was lost off the New England coast 62 years ago.

Eric recalled the last text message he received from their grandfather before his passing. “All it said was, ‘Get those ships out to sea.’”

The Hunleys’ father served as a general foreman for their whole childhood, eventually retiring as the topside catapults arresting gear boss.

Eric, a 14-year shipbuilder, was drawn to the shipyard through his work as an electrician, rather than the family history.

“Before coming here, I toured with bands running sound equipment. All of that stuff needs power. It’s interesting – we all have these different worlds that we come from, but here, it’s all shipbuilding at the end of the day. If you’re here long enough, you end up finding yourself in a niche that you’re passionate about. In fact, I’m still working on speakers – they’re just on warships. It’s still a speaker, though.”

Because of their specific responsibilities and ties to Thresher, both brothers strive for their work to leave a lasting impact and legacy at NNS. Steve said he moved into management in order to remove road blocks and bring people together.

“Tap into what makes people tick,” he said. “Our job is to hunt that down on the waterfront – people who can lock in – mentor them and get them to a role that supports their love for that thing. The challenge is finding that before great talent leaves.”

Eric agreed, adding that he has the same maul-swinging mentality that he had while working in the dry docks.

“Now I’m testing combat systems, some of the most advanced systems in the world,” he said. “When people have that level of accountability, they grow an attachment to the work, and the customer gets a better product overall.”

This impact also includes the sailors working alongside test engineers daily.

“In testing, the Navy isn’t just our customer. They are literally our team mate. We need them just as much as they need us because we are working hand in hand with them,” Steve said.

The Hunleys proudly boast one incredible fact about their current positions.

“If a ship leaves NNS, there’s a Hunley on that boat,” Eric said. “Steve rides with the subs, and I ride with all of the carriers. Our dad loves it. This means we can’t kick the can. When we get out to sea, that can is right in front of us.”