Lead Mechanic - Shipfitter (2nd Shift) - Steel America (Job ID:1504)

Colonna's Shipyard; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonna’s Shipyard is seeking a Lead Mechanic Shipfitter for the 2nd shift at our Norfolk, VA site. This role provides hands‑on guidance to a small crew, ensuring safe, efficient completion of ship repair and fabrication tasks while complying with contracts, drawings and procedures.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in shipfitting, a strong understanding of ship construction, and the ability to read blueprints and perform welding tests. Occasional travel and extended hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of shipfitting experience or completion of a relevant apprenticeship
• Strong understanding of ship construction and structural integrity
• Ability to pass a tack weld test with Flux Core Welding (FCAW) in vertical/overhead positions
• Familiarity with NAVSEA standards applicable to fitter trades and interpretation of drawings
• Ability to read blueprints, sketches and templates and perform unit conversions

Responsibilities

• Execute routine and non‑routine production tasks in support of ship repair/industrial fabrication.
• Perform skilled tasks related to shipfitting, welding, and assembly as required.
• Ensure tools and materials are available and that safety practices are followed.
• Assist management with training, coaching and supervision of team members.
• Contribute to plan of the day and coordinate with project teams to meet schedules.

Skills

Shipfitting

Blueprints

Welding

NAVSEA standards

Reading drawings

Education

HS + 5 years trade exp

Tools

FCAW welding equipment

Lofting drawings

Job description

Position:Lead Mechanic - Shipfitter (2nd Shift) - Steel America (Job ID:1504)

Location: Norfolk, VA

Job Id:1504

# of Openings:1

Lead Mechanic Shipfitter (2nd Shift) - Steel America

Purpose:

Steel America, a business unit of Colonna's Shipyard, is seeking a Lead Mechanic Shipfitter to support 2nd Shift operations at our site in Norfolk, VA.

Position will provide hands‑on guidance to a small group of tradespeople, working alongside them to support assigned projects under the direction of the Lead Mechanic Supervisor (LMS) or Shop Foreman. The role includes training, mentoring, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

The position is located onsite in Norfolk VA and will often require hours beyond a standard work week with flexible schedule availability to support production/operations. Position may require occasional travel. This is a 2nd Shift position.

Job Description:

Key responsibilities include:

• Primary duty is to execute routine (and non‑routine) production duties in support of operational goals and in compliance with Company procedures and policies.
• Performs skilled tasking (relative to their assigned trade) in the maintenance, repair, installation/removal, new construction, etc. activities supporting ship repair/industrial fabrication operations.
• Supports management to facilitate daily production activities of the team and helps ensure employees (assigned to their work crew) have all necessary tools, equipment, work procedures, etc. to work safely and efficiently.
• May assist management with training, performance management, coaching/counselling, supervision, etc. for employees assigned to their work crews.
• Utilizing their production knowledge, make recommendations to support Plan of the Day (POD) for their assigned projects and utilizing their assigned resources to efficiently achieve operational requirements of projects.
• Evaluates job sites and work environments prior to work starting to ensure safe project set ups and efficient work evolutions.
• Responsible for understanding and complying with all technical aspects of the job including adherence to all contract requirements, drawings, procedures/work instructions, etc.
• Determine and apply joint and system tolerances.
• Install structural outfit items such as doors, ladders, and foundations.
• Complete lay outs using drawings and/or templates and/or by picking up and developing the geometry required from the lofting floor.
• Physical assembly in prefabrication and erection on the building site of individual structural elements or prefabricated panels and three-dimensional sub‑assemblies.
• Tack and Fillet weld as needed with stick and semi-automatic welding equipment.
• Sequence assembly and fittings and safely use heating torches in plate heat straightening and shrinkage.

Additionally, position will:

• Review project specifications/SOWs and support creation of requisitions of all needed materials in accordance with contract requirements and associated references.
• Generate and submits production reports to management (to include condition and surveillance reports, operational briefs, executed quality checks, etc.) meeting all technical/customer reporting requirements.
• Support management in ensuring tools/resources are mobilized and demobilized from project appropriately, providing updates on damaged or lost equipment.
• Attends/executes TIP inspections.
• May serve as backup/makeup to supervisor, as needed.
• Provides input to management and project teams to support schedule, progress, ETC/EAC updates for all projects assigned to them.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Registered Apprentice (grad) or HS + 5 years related trade experience (in the trade to be supervised)
• Must have at least 5 years of experience shipfitting, in a marine or shipyard environment; or have graduated from a registered apprenticeship program relevant to the trade.
• Must have a strong understanding of ship construction and structural integrity.
• Must be able to pass a tack weld test with Flux Core Welding (FCAW) with the ability to Tack Weld as needed in both the vertical and overhead positions.
• Must be trained in the NAVSEA Standard Items that are applicable to the fitter trade and demonstrate an advanced understanding of bevels, types of backing rings, consumable inserts (E/B rings), open roots, saddles, miters and tolerances.
• Must be able to comprehend blueprints, sketches, and templates and must be able to calculate and understand units of measure, including fractions and decimals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some previous supervisory/mentoring experience (such as make-up supervisor)
• Previous technical training highly preferred.
• Relevant certifications in shipfitting, welding, or related fields are preferred.

Security Requirements:

• Ability to obtain DBIDS preferred.

Travel Requirements:

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift, carry and transport heavy equipment and boxes. The exact weight requirements will be determined by the specific job, but no less than 20 lbs.
• Able to work on and climb ladders, work in extreme temperature environments, aboard ships, in shipyards, under industrial conditions and in confined spaces, including enter and moving through manholes.
• Able to perform other duties as required which may involve high heat, humidity, noise and dirty conditions.
• Frequent exposure to noise due to machinery and equipment.
• Employee is required to operate trucks, forklifts & man-lifts.
• While performing the duties of this job, you may frequently be required to stand, walk & sit; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; talk and hear.Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, squat, kneel, twist and crawl.
• Work in extreme temperatures and conditions. At times you will work in areas that have less adequate ventilation
• Frequent use of respirator.

Respect, Pride, Truth, Family – These are our VALUES and the guidelines that make us a leader in our industry. We are pleased and confident in stating that our skilled employees are among the most respected experts in the ship repair industry.

Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, Colonna’s Shipyard provides a variety of benefits to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid disability insurances, 401k with match, legal services, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

Pay Range: $28.46 - $35.99

Determination of base salary considers various factors, including but not limited to scope of responsibility, candidate’s relative and specific experience, education level, key skills, as well as other business considerations. The company also provides a variety of benefits to support employees’ best health and wellness. Additionally, the company offers a 401k retirement program with match, paid holidays, and competitive paid time off (PTO)