Back to Jobs

Job Description

Overview

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is seeking entry-level Shipfitters to join their team. The role involves fabricating and welding steel structures for naval ships, requiring physical agility and the ability to work in various conditions.

Responsibilities

  • Read and interpret blueprints to fabricate steel structures.
  • Use tools to measure, cut, grind, fit, align, and tack weld parts.
  • Build interior structures, hatches, doors, and bulkheads.
  • Work in high areas and confined spaces.
  • Perform tasks in all weather conditions.

Requirements

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Legally eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Ability to climb ladders and work at extreme heights.
  • Ability to lift heavy objects weighing 40 lbs. or more.
  • Willingness to take measurements or learn.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Full-time position with multiple shifts available.
  • No relocation assistance available.
  • No telework opportunity.

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
PTO
Apply for This Position

How this job compares in Newport News, VA

Pay in context

At roughly $29/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $30/hr median for shipyard welder jobs across Virginia, whose middle half runs $27–$32/hr across 8 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 38% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Newport News, VA

We're tracking 14 other active welding openings in Newport News, VA right now, from 6 different employers. 2 of them were added in the last week. Across Virginia as a whole we're tracking 182 other active welding openings from 107 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Newport News, or widen the search to Virginia.

HII currently has 7 other openings live in Virginia, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Virginia at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are West Fraser (14), Colonna's Shipyard (8), and HII (7). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Virginia, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Verona at $33/hr, Norfolk at $32/hr, and Newport News at $31/hr. Newport News is among them.

Similar openings near Newport News, VA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. SHIPFITTER ENTRY LEVEL - (STEEL FABRICATION/TACK WELDING) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.