Back to Jobs

Job Description

Overview

Serco is seeking experienced Senior Marine Pipe Welders to support U.S. Navy ship modernization programs. This role involves precision welding and complex pipe fabrication, contributing to critical Navy modernization efforts.

Responsibilities

  • Interpret NAVSEA specifications, blueprints, fabrication drawings, work packages, process sheets, and technical manuals.
  • Fabricate, fit, modify, repair, and install various piping systems aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
  • Perform high-quality welding using GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, and GMAW processes in accordance with NAVSEA standards.
  • Install and maintain MAF Lokring mechanical fittings according to specifications.
  • Conduct pipe preparation, fit-up, alignment, welding, inspection, hydrostatic test support, thermal cutting, grinding, and system restoration.
  • Fabricate and install pipe supports, hangers, penetrations, foundations, cable collars, and miscellaneous shipboard hardware.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues and ensure quality workmanship.
  • Mentor junior welders, assign work, and support production planning and quality assurance.

Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
  • A High School Diploma or GED.
  • A minimum of 8 years of shipboard pipe welding or related industrial welding experience.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in GTAW and FCAW welding on various piping systems.
  • Experience installing MAF Lokring fittings or equivalent mechanical piping systems.
  • Familiarity with NAVSEA Standard Items and shipboard quality requirements.
  • Ability to become respirator qualified and pass Serco weld qualification testing.
  • Ability to obtain shipyard access and pass a background investigation and drug screening.
  • Ability to work in confined spaces, climb ladders, lift up to 50 pounds, and travel up to 10%.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • PTO

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k
PTO
Apply for This Position

How this job compares in Norfolk, VA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Norfolk, VA currently run a median of $30/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $24–$32/hr across 15 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Norfolk, VA

We're tracking 31 other active welding openings in Norfolk, VA right now, from 13 different employers. 4 of them were added in the last week. Across Virginia as a whole we're tracking 146 other active welding openings from 75 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Norfolk, or widen the search to Virginia.

The most active employers in Virginia at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc. (15), General Dynamics NASSCO (10), and Atlantic Constructors, Inc. (8). 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 Newport News at $40/hr, Norfolk at $30/hr, and Chesapeake at $28/hr. Norfolk is among them.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Core work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication work. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds.

See all shipyard welder openings if you want to compare this against similar roles.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • NAVSEA — the Naval Sea Systems Command welding standards used on US Navy shipbuilding and repair. Qualification is yard-specific and typically comes with a background check.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

Similar openings near Norfolk, VA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Senior Marine Welder (Chesapeake, VA) figures were last recalculated when this page was built.