Welder/Structural - Trainee - (3 Week Unpaid Program)

Ingalls Shipbuilding•Newport News, VA

9d•$59,675 - $62,067•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for job seekers with no trades experience who are willing to complete a three-week unpaid Marine Trades Training (MTT) program. The program is 120 hours, runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is held at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton, Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, or Camp Community College in Suffolk. Newport News Shipbuilding offers the program in partnership with the Virginia Ship Repair Association, local Virginia community colleges, and maritime training facilities. The program is offered once a month to classes of 8–10 students. Successful trainees begin their careers by qualifying through the shipyard’s welding school. As a welder, the employee uses a variety of welding filler metals and processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of ship construction. Work includes tack, fillet, and full-penetration welding on steel foundations and structural and pipe joints for aircraft carriers and submarines. Welders use SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes, welding in all positions with manual and mechanized techniques. Work must meet nondestructive testing requirements, including visual, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection. Further training is provided in certified visual inspection, fire watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding equipment issues. Work may take place outdoors in varying weather, at extreme heights, and in small, confined ship spaces. The role requires safety focus, precision, adaptability, physical agility, and comfort working in challenging conditions. The position is full-time, with multiple shifts and no telework eligibility. The posting states that U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a three-week unpaid program of 120 hours, scheduled 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn.
Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen.
Must be able to pass a 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 clean-shaven to wear a respirator.
Must be able to work outdoors year-round in all weather conditions.
Must be able to work at extreme heights and in small, tight, confined spaces.
Must be willing to work any shift.
U.S. citizenship is required for this position.

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

Qualify through the shipyard’s welding school.
Perform tack, fillet, and full-penetration welding on steel foundations and structural and pipe joints for aircraft carriers and submarines.
Use SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes to weld in all positions using manual and mechanized techniques.
Perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of ship construction, meeting nondestructive testing requirements.
Receive further training in certified visual inspection, fire watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding equipment issues.