Michael J. Reilley

After graduating from WVU in 1984, armed with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Mike Reilley set a course for what would become a lifelong career in nuclear shipbuilding. Mike’s journey began at Newport News Shipbuilding, where he was recruited as an engineer in the company’s fast attack submarine program. The rigor, discipline and technical expertise required to design and build nuclear-powered submarines profoundly shaped Mike’s early days, and made a lasting impact throughout his career, most notably as he grew into leadership roles of additional responsibility.

Today, 42 years later, Mike serves as director of engineering and design and chief engineer for Newport News Shipbuilding. His accomplishments over the years include helping to reestablish the company’s submarine construction program after a 5-year hiatus; leading construction, engineering and design efforts for the propulsion plants of the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier design in more than 20 years; and leading a myriad of efforts related to complex ship design and construction challenges.

Although his career takes much of his time, Mike continued his education and earned a master’s of engineering management from The George Washington University, and is a licensed professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is also active in the community, primarily supporting engineering-focused organizations. Among his awards and honors, Mike is a Fellow of SNAME and received the 2019 Virginia Peninsula Engineering Club Engineer of the Year Award.

From WVU graduate to engineer to master shipbuilder with four decades of distinguished service, Mike believes that shipbuilding isn’t just what he does – it’s also part of who he is.