CRANE, Ind. –
An NSWC Crane employee is leading a division of nearly 200 total people through a radiation modernization effort to prepare strategic mission technologies for the next 20 years. Shana Goodman leads this effort as the Strategic Microelectronics Division Manager at NSWC Crane.
“Strategic radiation-hardened microelectronics supports the Nuclear Triad,” says Goodman. “We’re planning how to stay relevant for customer needs. We are currently posturing for radiation modernization and we have the largest radiation portfolio on base—at the end, our capabilities will cover the full-spectrum of man-made Strategic Radiation Environment Requirements for Microelectronics. We’ll be equipped for next-generation programs, which means we’ll have some testing and capabilities we’ve never had. There are things that we used to go externally for support, but now we can go in-house, which is complementary to the capabilities we currently have.”
Goodman started at NSWC Crane as a summer intern while studying engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Before attending Rose, she was interested in a different career path.
“Honestly, when I was in school we didn’t have STEM, but I was strong in math and science,” says Goodman. “I loved the fact that it was objective and not subjective, it wasn’t based off preference but fact. I wasn’t even looking at engineering; I was planning on going into nursing. I went for a college visit to Rose, and I was hooked. I loved the campus, the fact that it was small…I was coming from a small school.”
She was hired on full-time in 2001 and she has spent her career in the Strategic Microelectronics Division. She was also the first woman Chief Engineer at NSWC Crane in 2017 and has earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School.
Goodman is motivated by the people she works with.
“I have a family at work and one at home,” says Goodman. “I want to do the best job that I can for them. I want to succeed at opening doors, moving obstacles and making the impossible possible, whether it be for my kids or my co-workers. In my current position, or whatever position I may have at Crane in the future, my goal is to help the people I work with - and Crane as a Command - succeed. I want to see us achieve national recognition for the work that we do.”
The Strategic Microelectronics Division is part of NSWC Crane’s Strategic Mission area, which is a team of subject matter experts focused on supporting the Nation’s strategic forces through test and evaluation capability for high-reliability radiation hardened microelectronics. NSWC Crane has more than 60 years of supporting the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, including nuclear deterrence, missile defense, and space systems.
Goodman says leading this Division to provide for current and future needs of the Fleet is rewarding.
“There are constantly new challenges,” says Goodman. “It’s never mundane—every day, every week…even as a manager and not executing the technical work—it is interesting. Managing the technical workload involves understanding what we are being asked to execute, for who, and why it is critical. You also have to understand business operations: funding, expenditures, diversified portfolios, personnel, rigors of processes, contracts, and more. We’re ensuring the safety and security of our country.”
She says over the decades, NSWC Crane has evolved to provide for the Fleet.
“Twenty years ago, the division was mainly seen as a test house, but we have evolved to be subject matter experts,” says Goodman. “The Division is a national technical leader and provides subject matter expertise to support missile deterrence. In order to do this, it’s important to start at the microelectronics level. When others see our lab spaces they are mesmerized about what we can do in-house. The radiation modernization effort will be a great pillar for NSWC Crane.”
Goodman says there are unique opportunities at NSWC Crane.
“I have been able to change jobs every two to five years—there’s a lot of diverse job roles available here,” says Goodman. “You don’t have to work at Crane in the same job your whole career. It’s also one of the best places I’ve seen for work/life balance. There are opportunities to travel with the government; I traveled a lot early on in my career. There is also the availability to work offsite for parts of your career if you wish.”
She says her keys to success in her career are rooted in her foundation.
“I started in the lab doing hands-on work as an engineer,” says Goodman. “It’s been foundational to start in the lab and understand the customer sets and needs. In my career, I lead by example and look for ways to make my team’s jobs easier and remove roadblocks. I love it here, I love the people I work with, and building relationships. People have invested in me to succeed and I want to invest in others and pay it forward as a leader.”
About NSWC Crane NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.
Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, IT and cyber specialists, as well as trade and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at crane_recruiting@navy.mil.