NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest industrial employer in Virginia, is laying off 314 salaried staff employees and moving about 120 managers to lower-level positions, according to the company president.

In an email to workers, President Jennifer Boykin said the layoffs were “very difficult decisions,” media outlets reported. They mark the shipyard’s first layoffs in five years.

Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, employs roughly 26,000 workers, according to a company fact sheet. The company designs, builds and refuels nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines.