Captain Randy Cruz, Commander of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), paints a vivid picture of an organization built to solve the toughest challenges for the Navy, Marine Corps, and beyond. He explains that NRL’s mission is to conduct multidisciplinary scientific research and advanced technology development, focusing on maritime applications but often delivering solutions that benefit the wider federal landscape. The goal, he says, is to find “game-changing technology” that can be scaled and deployed—whether at sea, in the air, or in space.
NRL’s strength lies in its people. The lab employs about 4,000 individuals, including 2,700 government civilians and 1,300 contractors. Among them are roughly 1,800 scientists and engineers—half of whom hold PhDs. “More than half of the Navy’s PhDs are at the laboratory,” Cruz notes with pride. He emphasizes a “bottom-up” problem-solving approach, encouraging researchers to focus on the problem rather than a preconceived solution. This philosophy has fueled a century of innovation, from the first remotely piloted aircraft in the 1920s to modern advances in uncrewed systems, hypersonics, corrosion prevention, and hydrogen-based power.
Cruz describes NRL’s portfolio as spanning “from seabed to space.” Below the waves, the lab develops tools to detect underwater mines, improve acoustics research, and study bathymetry to guide safe and stealthy operations. Above the water, researchers
Partnerships, Cruz says, are critical. NRL works with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Army, the Coast Guard, and academic institutions to ensure efforts are complementary, not duplicative. A standout initiative is the lab’s Innovation Days. Unlike traditional “Industry Days,” these events focus on specific topics—such as battery storage or tropical cyclone prediction—and highlight relevant patents and licenses. NRL currently has over 1,100 available for industry to adopt and scale. By narrowing the scope, Innovation Days make it easier for businesses to engage with government technology.
Cruz sees his leadership role as balancing NRL’s three core strengths: service, ensuring technology meets fleet needs; expertise, leveraging a deep bench of world-class scientists; and teamwork, fostering collaboration across divisions. He underscores the lab’s culture of integration—where working with one division naturally connects partners to others.
From his perspective, NRL’s biggest challenge isn’t invention—it’s visibility. Many groundbreaking technologies sit “on the shelf” simply because industry and other agencies don’t know they exist. That’s why he’s committed to spreading the word about NRL’s capabilities and successes.