PAINTER SEMI SKILLED (OCTOBER 2026 HIRING EVENT)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.; Pascagoula (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (Ingalls Shipbuilding) in Pascagoula, MS is seeking Semi-Skilled Painters to support blasting and painting operations on naval vessel construction. You’ll gain hands-on experience with marine coatings and surface preparation while advancing toward higher-level painter roles.

You will work in a 24/7 shipyard environment with safety first, on multiple shifts, and with opportunities for overtime, training, and career progression within HII’s shipbuilding team.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in industrial painting, blasting, coatings, or related trades.
• Basic understanding of surface preparation and coating application.
• Ability to safely operate painting and blasting tools and equipment.
• Strong commitment to safety, craftsmanship, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Assist in blasting and painting operations using approved marine coatings.
• Prepare surfaces according to specifications, including blast profiles and other coating requirements.
• Apply coatings under the direction of supervision while learning proper millage and application standards.
• Operate blasting and painting equipment safely and effectively.
• Work in shipyard environments that may involve heights, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions.
• Support production needs across multiple shifts in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Follow Ingalls’ strong safety procedures in every task and work area.

Skills

Industrial painting

Blasting

Coatings application

Surface preparation

Safety and teamwork

Job description

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PAINTER SEMI SKILLED (OCTOBER 2026 HIRING EVENT)

Location

Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States

Date

Oct 2, 2026

US Citizenship Required for this Position

No

Full-Time

Shift: Multiple

Relocation: No relocation assistance available

Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework

Travel Requirement

No

We’re building tomorrow’s fleet today
With more than 11,000 employees, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of Alabama. For nearly 85 years, we’ve designed, built and maintained amphibious ships, destroyers, and cutters for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. The largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants, we’re simultaneously building four classes of ships and have pioneered the development and production of technologically advanced, highly capable ships for the surface Navy fleet for decades. Think that’s cool? Keep reading:

The Role

Protection. Detail. Growth. Advance as a Painter.
Are you ready to build your industrial painting and blasting skills while supporting the construction of the most advanced naval vessels in the world? Ingalls Shipbuilding is seeking Semi‑Skilled Painters who have hands‑on experience with coatings, surface prep, or industrial painting — and want to continue advancing into higher‑level painter roles.

As a Semi‑Skilled Painter, you’ll support blasting and painting operations using marine coatings designed to protect each ship’s steel structure for decades. Your developing skills help ensure surfaces are properly prepared, coatings are applied correctly, and vessels remain mission‑ready throughout their service life.

If you’re ready to grow your craft at “America’s Shipyard,” a rewarding career at Ingalls Shipbuilding — Mississippi’s largest private employer — is waiting.

What You Can Earn

• Earn up to $28.07 per hour, based on experience and demonstrated skill level
• Additional opportunities for overtime, advanced training, and progression into Skilled Painter positions

What You’ll Do

• Assist in blasting and painting operations using approved marine coatings
• Prepare surfaces according to specifications, including blast profiles and other coating requirements
• Apply coatings under the direction of supervision while learning proper millage and application standards
• Operate blasting and painting equipment safely and effectively
• Work in shipyard environments that may involve heights, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions
• Support production needs across multiple shifts in a 24/7 manufacturing environment
• Follow Ingalls’ strong safety procedures in every task and work area

Why This Work Matters

Painters protect the ship. As a Semi‑Skilled Painter, your developing skill helps preserve structural integrity, prevent corrosion, and extend the life of vessels that serve the fleet for decades. Every surface you prepare and every coating you apply contributes to mission‑readiness across the globe.

What You Bring

• Hands‑on experience in industrial painting, blasting, coatings, or related trades
• Basic understanding of surface preparation and coating application
• Ability to safely operate painting and blasting tools and equipment
• Strong commitment to safety, craftsmanship, and teamwork
• Willingness to work in an active industrial environment and continue developing your painting skills

Must Have

• Requires a minimum 6 months experience as a painter/blaster.
• Must be able to perform all blast requirements and functions utilizing all applications.
• Identify and correct blast and paint deficiencies as required by the contract specifications.
• Testing will consist of the ability to hook up airlines to the manifold and spray horizontal, vertical and side to side.
• Able to sand blast and demonstrate how to utilize each part of the blast equipment.

Nice to Have

Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on‑site health centers, tele‑medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post‑secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.

Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co .com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.

Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #1 for Ingalls Shipbuilding.