From Mississippi to Japan, Job Sanon’s career with HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has grown into a global endeavor spanning various departments and job roles. Currently, he is working in Sasebo, Japan, as an on-site technical representative for the Fleet Sustainment Engineering department.

“It gives me great pleasure to know my work helps contribute to the national security of the United States and ensures sailors are safe while performing their day-to-day assignments,” he said.

After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Sanon decided to make Mississippi his home and began working at Ingalls in 1995 as a shipfitter apprentice. His first job was laying down strongbacks on one of the LHD decks, while attending classes at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College twice a week. 

“Throughout my four years as an apprentice, I worked in almost all of the shops and bay areas, as well as all of the ships’ classes in the wet dock,” Sanon said . “I graduated in 1999 as the runner-up to the Shipfitting Apprentice of the Year.”

After becoming a first-class shipfitter, Sanon’s focus shifted to electrical engineering and his career at Ingalls took him from the Pascagoula shipyard to jobs in San Diego. and Jacksonville, Florida. 

During this time, he utilized Ingalls’ Education Assistance Program to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, then a Master of Business Administration.

His years of experience as a sailor and shipbuilder helped shape his perspective in his current position, where he works with modernization and repair assistance, and represents Planning Yard Services at production reviews.

“I approach tasks differently than a lot of my colleagues because I have insights based on the sailor, apprentice, craft, engineering and project management points of view,” he said.

Sanon encourages future leaders in the Ingalls’ workforce to respect Ingalls’ core values, map out an achievable career path and fully commit to it. 

“Be reliable, never stop asking questions and give your absolute best every day to achieve the company’s mission,” he said. 

Map out your future at Ingalls to help grow the career you want. For more information about job opportunities at Ingalls Shipbuilding, visit hii.com/careers/.