General Dynamics Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide
Comprehensive guide to General Dynamics careers for veterans. Learn about shipbuilding, land systems, IT services (GDIT), veteran hiring programs, clearance requirements, and how to land jobs at this major defense contractor.
General Dynamics Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide
General Dynamics builds the machines that project American power: nuclear submarines, Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles, and the IT systems that connect it all. For veterans—especially those from the Navy, Army armor/infantry, or IT fields—General Dynamics offers careers directly connected to your service.
With four major business units spanning shipbuilding, combat vehicles, aerospace, and IT services, GD provides diverse opportunities across the defense spectrum.
Understanding General Dynamics
Business Structure
General Dynamics comprises four groups:
Aerospace:
- Gulfstream business jets
Combat Systems:
- Land vehicles and weapons
- Abrams tanks, Stryker vehicles
- Munitions and guns
Marine Systems:
- Nuclear submarines (Electric Boat)
- Surface combatants (NASSCO, Bath)
- Ship repair
Technologies:
- GDIT (IT services)
- Mission Systems
- C4ISR
Company Profile
General Dynamics by the numbers:
- $39+ billion annual revenue
- 100,000+ employees
- 5th largest defense contractor
- Diverse portfolio
Veteran Value Proposition
GD values military service because:
- You've operated GD equipment
- You understand the mission
- Security culture familiarity
- Technical training applies
Why General Dynamics for Veterans?
Direct Product Connection
You may have used GD systems:
- Sailors: Virginia-class submarines
- Tankers/Infantry: Abrams, Stryker, LAV
- All services: IT systems, networks
Diverse Opportunities
Multiple career paths:
- Shipbuilding trades
- Vehicle manufacturing
- IT and cyber
- Engineering
- Program management
Veteran Hiring Commitment
GD supports veterans:
- Active recruiting programs
- SkillBridge partnerships
- Veteran employee networks
- Military spouse support
- Reserve/Guard accommodations
General Dynamics Business Units
Electric Boat (Submarines)
Nuclear submarine construction:
What they build:
- Virginia-class attack submarines
- Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines
- Submarine components
Locations:
- Groton, CT (headquarters)
- Quonset Point, RI
Opportunity: Massive hiring for Columbia-class program
Bath Iron Works (Surface Ships)
Surface combatant construction:
What they build:
- Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
- DDG-51 Flight III
- Future surface combatants
Location:
- Bath, Maine
NASSCO (Auxiliary Ships)
Auxiliary and commercial ships:
What they build:
- Fleet replenishment oilers
- Expeditionary vessels
- Commercial vessels
Location:
- San Diego, CA
General Dynamics Land Systems
Ground combat vehicles:
What they build:
- M1 Abrams tank
- Stryker family of vehicles
- LAV variants
- Next-generation combat vehicles
Locations:
- Sterling Heights, MI
- Lima, OH
- London, Ontario
GDIT (General Dynamics Information Technology)
IT services and solutions:
What they do:
- IT modernization
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud services
- Consulting and analytics
Locations:
- Falls Church, VA (HQ)
- Nationwide presence
General Dynamics Mission Systems
C4ISR and technology:
What they do:
- Computing systems
- Communications
- Cyber solutions
- Mission systems
Locations:
- Multiple nationwide
Career Opportunities at General Dynamics
Shipbuilding Careers (Electric Boat/BIW/NASSCO)
Shipbuilder/Welder:
- Hull construction
- Welding operations
- Fitting and assembly
- Structural work
Requirements:
- Trade skills or training
- Physical capability
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to learn
Salary: $45,000 - $90,000+ (with overtime)
Military fit: Hull technicians, machinist mates, constructionmen
Electrician:
- Electrical systems installation
- Cable pulling
- Equipment hookup
- Testing
Requirements:
- Electrical background
- Trade skills
- Safety awareness
- Clearance eligibility
Salary: $50,000 - $95,000+
Military fit: Electrician's mates, interior communications
Pipe Fitter:
- Pipe system installation
- Submarine systems
- Steam and hydraulics
- Nuclear systems
Requirements:
- Pipe fitting experience
- Technical training
- Nuclear experience valuable
- Clearance eligibility
Salary: $55,000 - $100,000+
Military fit: Machinist mates, hull techs, enginemen
Design Engineer:
- Submarine design
- Systems engineering
- Naval architecture
- Structural analysis
Requirements:
- Engineering degree
- Naval systems knowledge helpful
- CAD proficiency
- Clearance (required)
Salary: $75,000 - $150,000+
Military fit: Engineering duty officers, submarine officers
Land Systems Careers
Manufacturing Technician:
- Vehicle assembly
- Component installation
- Quality checks
- Production support
Requirements:
- Manufacturing experience
- Technical aptitude
- Physical capability
- Attention to detail
Salary: $45,000 - $80,000+
Military fit: 91 series, ordnance, tracked vehicle crews
Test Technician:
- Vehicle testing
- Systems verification
- Performance evaluation
- Data collection
Requirements:
- Technical background
- Testing experience
- Documentation skills
- Problem-solving
Salary: $50,000 - $85,000+
Military fit: Maintenance, test backgrounds
Systems Engineer:
- Vehicle systems design
- Integration
- Requirements development
- Technical leadership
Requirements:
- Engineering degree
- Systems methodology
- Vehicle systems knowledge helpful
- Clearance (often required)
Salary: $80,000 - $155,000+
Military fit: Armor officers, maintenance officers
GDIT Careers
Cyber Security Engineer:
- Security architecture
- Threat defense
- Vulnerability management
- Security operations
Requirements:
- Cybersecurity background
- Certifications (CISSP, etc.)
- Technical skills
- Clearance (usually required)
Salary: $95,000 - $170,000+
Military fit: Cyber operators, 25D, 17C
Network Engineer:
- Network architecture
- Implementation
- Operations
- Optimization
Requirements:
- Network engineering skills
- Certifications (CCNA, etc.)
- Technical proficiency
- Clearance (often required)
Salary: $80,000 - $140,000+
Military fit: 25B, 25N, IT backgrounds
Cloud Engineer:
- Cloud architecture
- Migration
- Security
- Automation
Requirements:
- Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure)
- Certifications helpful
- Scripting skills
- Clearance (often required)
Salary: $90,000 - $160,000+
Military fit: IT backgrounds with cloud exposure
Program Analyst:
- Program support
- Analysis
- Documentation
- Stakeholder coordination
Requirements:
- Analytical skills
- Government experience helpful
- Communication skills
- Clearance (often required)
Salary: $65,000 - $110,000+
Military fit: Staff officers, operations backgrounds
Help Desk/IT Support:
- User support
- Troubleshooting
- Ticket resolution
- System administration
Requirements:
- IT fundamentals
- Customer service skills
- Problem-solving
- Clearance (often required)
Salary: $45,000 - $75,000+
Military fit: 25B, IT backgrounds, signal
Program Management
Program Manager:
- Program execution
- Budget and schedule
- Customer relationships
- Team leadership
Requirements:
- Technical background
- Management experience
- Communication skills
- PMP helpful
Salary: $110,000 - $190,000+
Military fit: Senior officers, program experience
General Dynamics Veteran Programs
SkillBridge Partnership
DoD transition program:
- Internships across business units
- Real project work
- Often leads to offers
- Military pay continues
Veteran Hiring Initiatives
Each business unit recruits veterans:
- Dedicated military recruiters
- Military skills translation
- Base and installation recruiting
- Veteran hiring events
Veteran Employee Groups
Internal communities:
- Networking
- Mentorship
- Career development
- Community involvement
Military Spouse Programs
Family support:
- Employment opportunities
- Relocation assistance
- Flexible arrangements
- Career resources
Reserve/Guard Support
Ongoing service:
- Protected time
- Differential pay options
- Job security
- Flexible scheduling
General Dynamics Hiring Process
Step 1: Identify Business Unit
Determine target area:
- Shipbuilding (Electric Boat, BIW, NASSCO)
- Land Systems
- GDIT
- Mission Systems
Each has separate career portal.
Step 2: Apply
Where to apply:
- gd.com/careers (general)
- gdeb.com (Electric Boat)
- gdbiw.com (Bath Iron Works)
- gdit.com/careers (GDIT)
- gdms.com (Mission Systems)
- gdland.com (Land Systems)
Step 3: Screening
Review for:
- Basic qualifications
- Clearance eligibility
- Experience match
- Physical requirements (trades)
Step 4: Interviews
Process varies by unit:
Trades positions:
- Skills assessment
- Physical capability
- Background check
Professional positions:
- Phone screen
- Technical interview
- Panel interview
Step 5: Assessment
May include:
- Trade skills test
- Technical assessment
- Drug screening
- Background investigation
Step 6: Offer
If selected:
- Compensation discussion
- Benefits overview
- Start date
- Clearance processing if needed
General Dynamics Salary
Shipbuilding (Electric Boat)
| Role | Entry | Experienced | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipbuilder | $45K-$55K | $55K-$75K | $75K-$95K+ |
| Electrician | $50K-$60K | $60K-$80K | $80K-$100K+ |
| Engineer | $70K-$85K | $85K-$120K | $120K-$160K+ |
Note: Significant overtime available during submarine production peaks.
Land Systems
| Role | Entry | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $40K-$50K | $50K-$70K | $70K-$90K |
| Technician | $45K-$55K | $55K-$75K | $75K-$95K |
| Engineer | $70K-$85K | $85K-$125K | $125K-$160K |
GDIT
| Role | Entry | Mid-Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Support | $45K-$60K | $60K-$80K | $80K-$100K |
| Cyber | $85K-$110K | $110K-$150K | $150K-$185K |
| Cloud | $85K-$105K | $105K-$145K | $145K-$175K |
| Program | $95K-$120K | $120K-$160K | $160K-$200K |
Clearance Impact
Security clearance premium at GDIT:
- Secret: Base rates
- Top Secret: +5-10%
- TS/SCI: +10-20%
- Special programs: Additional premium
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits across business units:
- Medical/dental/vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Pension (varies by unit)
- PTO
- Tuition assistance
- Life insurance
General Dynamics Locations
Shipbuilding
Groton, CT:
- Electric Boat headquarters
- Submarine construction
- Major hiring ongoing
Quonset Point, RI:
- Electric Boat facility
- Module construction
Bath, Maine:
- Bath Iron Works
- Destroyer construction
San Diego, CA:
- NASSCO
- Auxiliary ships
Land Systems
Sterling Heights, MI:
- Land Systems HQ
- Engineering center
Lima, OH:
- Tank plant
- Abrams production
GDIT
Falls Church, VA:
- GDIT headquarters
Nationwide:
- Wherever government IT contracts exist
- Major presence in DC area, nationwide
Mission Systems
Multiple locations:
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Taunton, MA
- San Jose, CA
- And others
Military Experience Translation
Navy to Shipbuilding
Direct path:
- Hull technicians → Shipbuilders
- Electrician's mates → Electricians
- Machinist mates → Pipe fitters
- Nuclear-trained → Nuclear systems
- Submarine officers → Engineering, program management
Army to Land Systems
Direct path:
- 19K/19D (Armor) → Manufacturing, test
- 91 series (Maintenance) → Technicians
- Ordnance → Quality, manufacturing
- Officers → Program management, engineering
IT/Cyber to GDIT
Direct path:
- 25B → IT support, systems admin
- 25D → Cyber security
- 17C → Cyber operations
- Signal officers → Program management
Application Tips
For Shipbuilding Trades
Highlight:
- Relevant naval experience
- Trade skills
- Nuclear training if applicable
- Physical capability
- Work ethic
For Engineering Positions
Highlight:
- Technical degree
- Systems experience
- Military technical training
- Clearance status
- Project examples
For GDIT Positions
Highlight:
- IT certifications
- Security clearance
- Government experience
- Technical proficiency
- Customer service orientation
Career Growth at General Dynamics
Trade Progression
Shipbuilding advancement:
- Apprentice/Trainee
- Journeyman
- Senior Mechanic
- Foreman
- Supervisor
Technical Progression
Engineering advancement:
- Engineer I/II
- Senior Engineer
- Principal Engineer
- Chief Engineer
- Fellow
Management Progression
Leadership advancement:
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director
- Vice President
- Executive
The Bottom Line
General Dynamics offers veterans:
- Direct connection to equipment you operated
- Diverse opportunities from trades to IT to engineering
- Strong veteran programs across business units
- Geographic options from Connecticut to California
- Stable employment on major defense programs
Whether you want to build submarines, work on combat vehicles, or provide IT services, General Dynamics has opportunities aligned with your military experience.
Apply at gd.com/careers or specific business unit sites
Explore other defense contractors: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman.