Marine Trades Internship (Summer 2027)

Ghostworks Marine•Holland Charter Township, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Ghostworks Marine is hiring one motivated student for a paid, 13-week summer internship in custom boatbuilding. The intern receives structured, hands-on training in one specialty for the full internship: marine finishes (Track A) or marine electrical and mechanical installations (Track B). Track assignment is based on the student’s background and interests and the company’s production needs. Prior marine experience is not required. The internship includes a designated production mentor, written learning objectives, weekly progress reviews, a final skills assessment, and a supervised, track-specific capstone project. Weekly hours are agreed among the student, school, HR, and Production. Ghostworks will coordinate with the student’s school on academic credit and work-based learning requirements where applicable. Track A introduces marine coating products and systems through practice pieces and approved production tasks, emphasizing preparation, process control, and consistent workmanship. The capstone involves planning and carrying out the preparation and painting of a small boat under qualified supervision. Track B focuses on 12-volt DC distribution, inverter-supplied 120-volt AC power, clean component installation, troubleshooting, and accurate documentation. Its capstone involves designing, building, and demonstrating an approved electrical system, with a mechanical subsystem where practical. Ghostworks will support preparation for the ABYC Marine Electrical examination; exam timing depends on confirmed eligibility and readiness. The work includes shop and onboard settings, including confined spaces, elevated work areas, and varied temperatures. Interns may encounter dust, noise, coatings, resins, and chemicals, managed through required PPE, ventilation, and approved procedures. Candidates must be available for the full 13-week summer internship and have reliable transportation to the Holland shop. Some assigned work may be subject to U.S. export control requirements, including ITAR, and applicable eligibility requirements.

Requirements

High school graduate and currently enrolled in an accredited skilled-trades program or a standard degree program.
Demonstrated interest in autobody, painting, electrical work, mechanical systems, or marine service.
Basic shop mathematics, accurate measurement, and ability to follow written instructions.
Interest in understanding why processes are performed in particular ways.
Dependable attendance, attention to detail, respect for tools and materials, receptiveness to feedback, and prompt communication when instructions or conditions are unclear.
Willingness to complete required training, use assigned protective equipment, keep an orderly work area, and work within the limits of demonstrated competency.
Available for the full 13-week summer internship with a dependable schedule.
Reliable transportation to the Holland shop.
Ability to stand, kneel, bend, and reach for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to complete required safety training and follow PPE, chemical-handling, and electrical safety procedures.
Must meet any eligibility requirements applicable to assigned work subject to U.S. export control regulations.

Nice To Haves

Ability to complete an appropriately scoped capstone that meets school-credit requirements, if applicable.
Track A: Background in autobody repair, collision refinishing, industrial painting, or a comparable hands-on program.
Track A: Prior sanding, masking, filling, or spray-equipment experience; helpful but not required.
Track A: Patience, an eye for surface quality, and pride in detailed work.
Track B: Background in marine service, automotive electrical, industrial electricity, electronics, mechatronics, or mechanical technology.
Track B: Basic circuit theory and multimeter experience.

Responsibilities

Maintain a task and learning log.
Record labor and material use.
Identify defects or hazards early and report them to the mentor.
Participate in shop organization and equipment care.
Submit work for mentor inspection rather than releasing it to production independently.
Track A: Identify surface defects and assist with cleaning, fairing, filling, block sanding, edge preparation, masking, and protection of adjacent surfaces and equipment.
Track A: Review technical and safety data sheets with the mentor and learn coating-system suitability, compatibility, application windows, and cure requirements.
Track A: Calculate and prepare coating materials using manufacturer-specified ratios; identify components and record product, batch, pot-life, use, and waste information.
Track A: Prepare test panels and learn spray-equipment setup, spray-pattern checks, application technique, and coverage control; progress to supervised spraying only after task-specific authorization.
Track A: Identify coating defects, document them, and perform mentor-approved repairs where permitted by the coating system.
Track A: Maintain clean preparation and application areas and follow approved chemical-storage, waste-handling, ventilation, and respiratory-protection procedures.
Track A capstone: Plan and carry out the supervised preparation and painting of a small boat, producing the specified assessment, plans, estimates, records, photographs, and inspection checklist.
Track B: Assist with electrical load lists, circuit schedules, wiring diagrams, component layouts, and bills of materials; document assumptions and submit changes for approval.
Track B: Practice conductor selection, routing, support, chafe protection, labeling, crimping, heat shrinking, and termination; assist with approved installation of electrical components.
Track B: Learn inverter and 120-volt AC system requirements, including input-current demand, protection, grounding and bonding, AC/DC separation, ventilation, and manufacturer-specific instructions.
Track B: Assist with mounting pumps and equipment, fabricating simple brackets, routing hoses, fitting clamps and supports, sealing approved penetrations, and maintaining service access; perform documented torque and leak checks as directed.
Track B: Use approved test instruments to verify continuity, polarity, voltage, voltage drop, and equipment function; record results and troubleshoot defects under supervision.
Track B: Maintain wire and component identification, redlined drawings, as-built records, parts inventory, and inspection checklists.
Track B capstone: Create an approved wiring diagram and build and demonstrate a working system on a training board or designated small-boat project, with required deliverables and mentor inspection.
Track B: Prepare for the ABYC Marine Electrical examination with company support and maintain a certification-development plan and relevant experience record.
Complete required safety training, use assigned protective equipment, maintain an orderly work area, and work within demonstrated competency.
Follow applicable confidentiality and facility-security requirements; do not photograph, record, or share images of the facility, vessels, or technical information without authorization.