INSULATOR TRAINEE OR CERTIFICATION - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES - SIGN-ON BONUS

Huntington Ingalls•Newport News, VA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This Job Listing is for recent or upcoming 2026 High School Graduates. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is offering a $500 sign-on bonus to Trade Trainee hires. In addition, Newport News Shipbuilding is offering $500 in relocation bonus to Trade Trainee new hires that live 50 miles or greater from Newport News, VA. Job seekers who apply are eligible for the sign-on bonus and relocation bonus. Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on-site health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more. The sign-on bonus is for external new hires. Current Newport News Shipbuilding employees are ineligible for the sign-on bonus. This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete two weeks of unpaid training in the Insulator trade or for job seekers with a certificate in a related trades field. Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding. Courses are offered once a month with 8-10 students per class. The Insulator program is offered at QED Systems (Norfolk, VA). This (UNPAID) program is 2-weeks (80 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday). Candidates who have received and provide a certificate or diploma in Insulation or directly related field are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the completion of the trainee program. Directly related fields include Residential/Commercial/Industrial Insulation, and/or Flooring/Tile Installation. To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works, please visit: https://hii.com/careers/nns-marine-trades-trainee-programs/ Insulators are responsible for the removal, repair, and installation of various types of insulation, including fiberglass, calcium silicate, and rubatex materials. This role is crucial in ensuring thermal efficiency, noise reduction, and safety of piping systems, ventilation systems, and other structural elements throughout the ship. Their expertise is essential in preventing heat loss, minimizing condensation, and protecting against fire hazards, all of which contribute to the overall performance and longevity of aircraft carriers and submarines. By selecting and applying the appropriate insulation materials, Insulators help enhance the comfort and safety of the ship while ensuring compliance with stringent marine industry standards and regulations. Working at Newport News Shipbuilding often involves performing tasks in various weather conditions, at extreme heights on scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms and in small, confined spaces such as tanks, compartments, or voids in a ship. These environments require a strong focus on safety, precision, and adaptability, as well as physical agility and comfort working in challenging conditions.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a 2-week (UNPAID) program (80 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday) OR present one or more certificates of completion or diploma in Insulation or a directly related field from a high school vocational program, community college, trade school, technical college, apprentice program, post–secondary institution, or military equivalent.
Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
Must be able to pass physical agility test
Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
Must be able to perform overhead work
Must be able to work overtime as needed
Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
Must be able to perform work outdoors, year- round, in all weather conditions
Must be able to work at extreme heights
Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
Must be willing to work any shift

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or equivalent preferred

Responsibilities

removal, repair, and installation of various types of insulation, including fiberglass, calcium silicate, and rubatex materials
ensuring thermal efficiency, noise reduction, and safety of piping systems, ventilation systems, and other structural elements throughout the ship
preventing heat loss
minimizing condensation
protecting against fire hazards
selecting and applying the appropriate insulation materials
enhance the comfort and safety of the ship while ensuring compliance with stringent marine industry standards and regulations