WELDER/STRUCTURE TRAINEE - 3 WEEK UNPAID PROGRAM (11:00PM-7:00AM)

Huntington Ingalls•Newport News, VA

16h•$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 in the Welder trade. The 120-hour program is held once a month for classes of 8–10 students at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton, Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, or Camp Community College in Suffolk. Training runs 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. Candidates with a certificate or diploma in welding or a directly related field, including AWS welding processes, may be eligible to waive the trainee program. After training, welders qualify through the shipyard’s welding school and use a variety of filler metals and welding processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout ship construction. Work includes tack, fillet, and full-penetration welding on steel foundations and on structural and pipe joints for aircraft carriers and submarines. Welders use SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW processes, working in all positions with manual and mechanized techniques. Work must meet nondestructive testing requirements, including visual, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection. Further training includes certified visual inspection, fire watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding-equipment issues. The role may involve outdoor work in all weather conditions, extreme heights, scaffolding, ladders, elevated platforms, and small, confined ship spaces such as tanks, compartments, or voids. It requires safety awareness, precision, adaptability, physical agility, and comfort working in challenging conditions. The position requires U.S. citizenship. The posted full-time salary range is $59,675.20 to $62,067.20. No relocation assistance is available, telework is not available, and travel is not required.

Requirements

Must be able to pass the three-week unpaid training program, consisting of 120 hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.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.

Nice To Haves

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
Candidates with a certificate or diploma in welding or a directly related field, including AWS welding (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and/or FCAW), are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the trainee program.

Responsibilities

Perform tack, fillet, and full-penetration welding on steel foundations and structural and pipe joints during ship construction.
Use SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding processes in all positions with manual and mechanized techniques.
Meet nondestructive testing requirements, including visual, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection.
Receive further training in certified visual inspection, fire watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding-equipment issues.