Posted on October 5, 2023
Mobile, Ala. – Austal USA introduces Chris Orlowski as the company’s vice president of engineering. In this role, he leads a team of over 350 engineers, naval architects, designers, and other engineering support staff. Orlowski directs the management of multiple engineering functions, including structural, mechanical, electrical and systems, integrated logistics support, naval architecture, and program engineering.
“I am very excited that Chris has joined Austal USA. His depth of experience over the last 30 years in the defense industry will have an immediate impact. He brings a combination of engineering and program leadership experience that provides him with a strong appreciation for all aspects of ship design,” said Austal USA Acting President, Michelle Kruger. “We are fortunate to have Chris on our senior leadership team.”
Orlowski has over 30 years of program and systems engineering leadership experience within the defense industry. He came to Austal USA from Northrup Grumman’s CIO Office – Mission Systems – where he was the director of engineering and manufacturing systems and infrastructure. He led a team of 250 employees focused on designing, developing, and deploying engineering and manufacturing solutions to support and advance product development. Orlowski was a member of the Northrup Grumman team for over 20 years holding various leadership positions in the company’s electronic systems, shipbuilding, technology services, enterprise services, and mission systems divisions. His engineering and program leadership experience has been in support of international and U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs to include aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and littoral combat ships.
Orlowski holds a PhD in systems engineering from George Washington University. He received a master’s in systems engineering and a bachelor’s in ocean engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a graduate of the Executive Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
