Giants of Skilled Trades: Brittany Meyer, General Dynamics Electric Boat

When Brittany Meyer picked up a wrench at 11 years old to help her brothers with their race car, she wasn’t thinking about her future career. She just knew she liked working with her hands. Years later, that early spark turned into something much bigger: a leadership role at General Dynamics Electric Boat, where she helps build the forward ends of submarines that serve the U.S. Navy.

After graduating from Connecticut’s Norwich Technical High School in 2014 with a focus on plumbing and heating, Brittany joined the EB shipyard as a pipefitter in 2016. Over the next several years, she learned the ins and outs of submarine construction, earned the respect of her team, and took on new challenges, eventually becoming a supervisor and then a general foreman.

Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, Brittany was honored at a Connecticut Sun game for her contributions to manufacturing and her work mentoring the next generation of tradespeople. She’s built a career defined by hard work, integrity and pride in what she creates.

We got the chance to talk with Brittany about where it all started, the moments that shaped her path, and what it means to lead with purpose.

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What first sparked your interest in working with tools and doing hands-on work?

My family is into local short track auto racing. My brothers taught me very young how to turn a wrench. I really started enjoying it as I got into my early teens and essentially became the lead crew member for our family’s racing.

Why did you choose a trade school path, and how did Norwich Tech shape your future?

I knew I wanted to go into a blue-collar job as my entire family worked construction. I am not a big classroom person and did not thrive in those settings as I did in hands on settings. Both of my brothers went to Norwich Tech, so it was an easy move.

What’s something people don’t realize about the work that goes into building a submarine?

From the outside, it looks like EB is full of individual contributors but what people don’t realize is every single job and process at EB requires numerous entities to be involved. Whether it’s going and getting material for a job or installing a pipe detail in the boat, many people get us to the point where we can construct these submarines and deliver them to the Navy.

What helped you move from the tools to a leadership role? How did Electric Boat contribute to your taking on this challenge?

I had some really great role models in my early years at EB. My peers and supervision at the time really worked hard to give me all the opportunities to learn how to be a better pipefitter and future leader. The biggest key player was Ed Bockowski, my boss for most of my pipefitting career. He pushed me to be the best and constantly talked about leadership and mentorship. EB contributed by giving the opportunity and being a non-bias hiring company. The equal opportunity at EB speaks volumes for someone in my position. I have worked hard to get here, and they have always treated me as a valuable employee.

What does it mean to you to lead the team building the forward ends of submarines?

It’s very rewarding to be running the forward ends. As a new pipefitter being trained by veteran pipefitters like James Kincade, it was extremely eye opening to see how important this job is. Learning how to provide a quality product and then maintaining/improving the standard as I moved into management was very energizing. As corny as it is to say, we do something much bigger than ourselves. The Navy protects us. I have 2 kids, and I love my friends, family and coworkers. In order to protect the Navy and pay them back, we must give them the best quality.

Is there a moment in your career that stands out as especially meaningful?

When I was on the SSN-799 (USS Idaho), I was invited along with our engineering rep, Haley Hider, to be the ones that turned the valves that would flood the dry dock and float the 799 boat for the first time ever. It was an experience I will never forget.

Do you feel like there’s room to grow in this industry?

The opportunities are endless at EB. I can continue moving up in operations, becoming a manager or director one day, or I could move laterally into a planning position, ships management or design.

What’s your message to young people at schools and STEM events who may not know about trades careers?

Electric Boat will find a job for you if you want a career in submarine building. We want to retain our employees and have high morale. We will teach and mentor you and give you every opportunity to be your best.

How has your work made you proud?

I’ve been able to see myself improve boat to boat in three different positions, from fitting pipe to teaching people how to run the project sequencing.

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Careers at General Dynamics Electric Boat are among the thousands available right now in the Opportunities section of BuildSubmarines.com. You can also visit the Training section if you are looking to gain the skills for a skilled trades career.

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Written by:
Taylor Massey, BlueForge Alliance