Industry Pathways: Maritime & Shipbuilding

Tuesday, August 3, 2027 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET
Virtual Event

Rebuilding America's Maritime Strength: Shipbuilding Innovation, Industrial Capacity & the Workforce Behind It

America's maritime industry is entering a critical period of modernization as national security priorities, global competition, and demand for resilient supply chains place renewed attention on domestic shipbuilding. From advanced naval vessels and commercial ships to autonomous maritime systems and modernized shipyards, the industry requires a workforce capable of designing, building, maintaining, and supporting increasingly complex vessels. Meeting these challenges demands technical expertise, operational discipline, manufacturing innovation, and coordinated project delivery—creating career opportunities for professionals ready to help strengthen America's maritime industrial base.

About FourBlock Industry Pathways

FourBlock Industry Pathways address workforce demand and skill gaps by organizing engagement at the industry level rather than the job level, creating a system where employers, talent, and workforce demand are aligned in real time.

This event helps participants understand the maritime and shipbuilding ecosystem, identify where their experience aligns with workforce needs, and connect with employer perspectives on careers supporting maritime manufacturing, operations, and national security.

Industry Sector

Industrial Base, Defense & National Security

This sector encompasses naval and commercial shipbuilding, maritime manufacturing, defense production, and the industrial capabilities essential to national security, military readiness, and economic resilience.

Market Signals

• A major workforce expansion is needed: In 2025, the U.S. Navy estimated that the maritime industrial base would need approximately 250,000 new skilled workers over the following decade to support shipbuilding and maintenance requirements. This workforce estimate highlights opportunities across skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

  Doncio

• Shipbuilding performance is driving industrial modernization: A 2026 Government Accountability Office assessment found that Navy and Coast Guard shipbuilding programs continued to experience significant cost overruns and delivery delays. Improving outcomes requires stronger project management, engineering coordination, production planning, and quality assurance.

  U.S. GAO

• Advanced manufacturing is transforming shipyards: Maritime workforce initiatives are increasingly incorporating additive manufacturing, modern production equipment, and specialized technical training. These developments create opportunities in automation, manufacturing technology, technical operations, and workforce development.

  Office of the Secretary of the Navy

• Small shipyards remain essential to maritime capacity: The U.S. Maritime Administration reports that small shipyards employ more than 100,000 Americans. Its fiscal year 2026 Small Shipyard Grant Program received $35 million in authorized funding to support facility improvements and workforce training, reinforcing the importance of regional shipbuilding and repair capabilities.

  MARAD

• Supply chain reliability is a national security priority: In 2026, federal oversight identified persistent challenges involving shipbuilding suppliers, production capacity, and delivery of critical components. These constraints increase the importance of procurement, supplier management, logistics, and industrial program oversight.

  U.S. GAO

Explore Career Paths In

• Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering: Designing vessels, propulsion systems, and maritime equipment; specialized engineering qualifications are generally required.

• Shipbuilding & Manufacturing Operations: Coordinating vessel production, fabrication, assembly, and daily shipyard activities.

• Skilled Maritime Trades: Building and repairing ships through welding, electrical work, machining, pipefitting, and related technical specialties.

• Shipyard Project & Program Management: Managing complex construction schedules, budgets, resources, and delivery milestones.

• Maritime Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul: Supporting vessel readiness through maintenance planning, inspections, repairs, and modernization.

• Quality Assurance & Industrial Safety: Maintaining manufacturing standards, inspecting components, and supporting safe shipyard operations.

• Maritime Supply Chain & Procurement: Managing specialized materials, supplier relationships, equipment availability, and production logistics.

• Advanced Manufacturing & Shipbuilding Technology: Applying robotics, additive manufacturing, digital design, and automation to maritime production.

• Defense Contracting & Acquisition Management: Supporting procurement, contracts, compliance, and program execution for government maritime projects.

• Maritime Workforce Development & Training: Building technical talent pipelines through apprenticeships, vocational programs, and industry partnerships.

What to Expect

Expert Panel Discussion

Hear from leaders across maritime manufacturing, shipbuilding, and defense-related industries as they share insights on industry modernization, workforce demand, and veteran hiring priorities.

Topics will include domestic shipbuilding capacity, emerging manufacturing technologies, workforce development, and the operational challenges of delivering complex naval and commercial vessels.

Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how maritime organizations operate, which capabilities employers value, and where military and civilian professional experience can contribute to strengthening America's shipbuilding industrial base.

Virtual Breakout Sessions

Connect directly with employer partners, recruiters, and hiring managers to explore career pathways aligned with your experience and interests, including shipbuilding operations, maritime engineering, skilled trades, project management, and supply chain management.

These interactive conversations provide opportunities to ask questions about transferable skills, technical qualifications, apprenticeship programs, industry certifications, potential entry points, and career progression.

Participants can also explore how experience in military maintenance, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, procurement, operations, and other professional fields may translate into maritime careers, including opportunities that do not require prior shipbuilding experience.

Who Should Attend?

This event is open to all transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses interested in exploring careers in maritime manufacturing, shipbuilding, naval engineering, and the industries supporting America's maritime strength.

Whether you have experience in engineering, maintenance, manufacturing, logistics, project management, procurement, safety, or operations—or are exploring the maritime industry for the first time—this event will help you identify opportunities aligned with your capabilities and interests.

Participants will discover career pathways across shipyards, defense contractors, maritime equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, and industrial suppliers, including both technical and nontechnical roles.

Registration

Discover how your experience can help strengthen America's maritime industrial base, advance shipbuilding innovation, and support national security. Join FourBlock to connect with industry professionals, explore emerging career pathways, and learn where your skills can make a meaningful impact.

Register today: [Registration link]