Welder/Structure Trainee - 3 Week Unpaid Program (11:00Pm-7:00Am)

Ingalls Shipbuilding•Newport News, VA

1d•$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 welding trainee program. Newport News Shipbuilding, in partnership with the Virginia Ship Repair Association, local Virginia community colleges, and maritime training facilities, offers Marine Trades Training programs for people interested in learning a trade and working full-time for NNS. The welding program is offered monthly to classes of 8–10 students at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton, Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, or Camp Community College in Suffolk. Training is unpaid and consists of 120 hours over three weeks, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Candidates with a certificate or diploma in welding or a directly related field may be eligible to waive the program. After training, welders begin their careers by qualifying through the shipyard’s welding school. They use a variety of welding filler metals and processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout 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 and perform welding in all positions using 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. Work may take place outdoors in varying weather conditions, at extreme heights on scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms, and in confined ship spaces such as tanks, compartments, and voids. The role requires attention to safety and precision, adaptability, physical agility, and comfort working in challenging conditions. Employees must be willing to work any shift and overtime as needed.

Requirements

Must be able to pass the three-week unpaid program of 120 hours, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., unless eligible for a waiver based on a welding or directly related field certificate or diploma.
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 daily.
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.
A certificate or diploma in welding or a directly related field, including AWS welding in SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and/or FCAW, may make candidates eligible to waive the trainee program.

Responsibilities

Qualify through the shipyard’s welding school after completing the trainee program.
Perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of ship construction.
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 welding processes in all positions, using manual and mechanized techniques.
Meet nondestructive testing requirements, including visual, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection.
Perform work outdoors in all weather conditions, at heights, and in confined ship spaces.
Complete further training in certified visual inspection, fire-watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding-equipment issues.