Production Trades Assistant - SDCA

Austal USA; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 63,039,000 - 85,045,000; Full time

Job summary

Austal USA in San Diego seeks a diligent craft assistant to support welders, fabricators, electricians, and pipefitters while maintaining safe work practices on government vessels and secure facilities.

Ideal candidates hold a Diploma/GED, demonstrate basic math and measurement skills, and show mechanical aptitude. The role emphasizes teamwork, tool handling, and compliance with safety policies across shipyard operations.

Qualifications

• Diploma/GED is required.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Ability to measure using Metric and English systems.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to understand directions and follow instructions, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Enforces safety, compliance, and work practices per Austal USA standards and policies.
• Assists with shipbuilding tasks by preparing tools, materials, and work areas.
• Supports setup and breakdown of workstations and proper tool storage.
• Maintains housekeeping and safe access pathways at the worksite.
• Communicates shortages or delays to supervisors and integrates with trade teams.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Basic measurement (Metric/English)

Education

Diploma/GED

Tools

Scissors

Fillet knife

Allen wrenches

Channel Locks

Hammer

Job description

REPORTS TO: Lead Foreman

SUPERVISES: N/A

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety, Compliance & Work Practices Maintains safe work habits and strictly adheres to all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements. Monitors the work environment for hazards and reports safety, environmental, or health deficiencies to supervision. Follows correct construction and repair procedures in compliance with Austal USA standards, project specifications, and regulatory requirements. Complies with Austal USA’s Equal Opportunity and Anti‑Harassment Policy and maintains professional conduct at all times. Complies with all guidelines outlined in the Austal USA Employee Handbook. Able to obtain and maintain required credentials for access to local Naval Bases, secure shipyard areas, and restricted waterfront facilities. Demonstrates professionalism and compliance with military and federal regulations while working aboard government vessels or within secure environments.

Trade Support & Craft Assistance

Assists skilled trades (welders, fabricators, electricians, pipefitters, mechanics, painters, etc.) by preparing tools, materials, and work areas. Performs basic fabrication and prep tasks such as grinding, cutting, beveling, cleaning, and staging components under supervision. Supports mechanical and piping work including bolt‑up, gasket installation, pipe handling, and component positioning. Assists with electrical tasks such as cable pulling, securing conduits, staging equipment, and labeling components. Helps with hull and structural work by staging steel/aluminum parts, assisting with fitting, and performing minor prep work. Displays willingness to cross‑craft and support multiple trade departments as needed.

Tools, Equipment & Worksite Setup

Sets up and breaks down workstations including power sources, hoses, leads, lighting, and ventilation. Inspects tools and equipment before use, reporting defects or unsafe conditions. Performs basic maintenance on hand tools such as changing discs, cleaning, and lubrication. Ensures proper storage and accountability of tools and equipment at the end of each shift. Assists in preparing shipboard work areas, including lighting, ventilation, and safe access pathways.

Housekeeping & Worksite Maintenance

Maintains housekeeping standards by keeping work areas clean, organized, and free of debris or hazards. Conserves consumables and materials, minimizing waste. Supports containment setup for painting, blasting, or hot‑work zones. Assists with scaffolding or temporary platform staging within training limits.

Shipboard & Yard Operations

Safely boards vessels using gangways, ladders, scaffolding, or temporary access structures while carrying tools and equipment. Assists with shipboard access setup including ladders, gangways, lighting, and ventilation. Supports confined‑space entry procedures, including ventilation setup and gas‑testing assistance when trained. Helps with removal, installation, and alignment of ship components during construction or repair. Assists with system flushing, testing, and inspections under direction.

Documentation & Communication

Completes daily work assignments, including required signatures for work completion and quality verification. Communicates material shortages, delays, or issues to supervisors or lead trades. Able to receive and carry out verbal and written instructions clearly and accurately. Works effectively as part of a team and within assigned roles. Maintains communication with welders, supervisors, and safety personnel, reporting any unsafe conditions immediately.

Learning & Development

Demonstrates ability to ensure the quality of one’s own work and seeks guidance when needed. Learns on the job as an OJT trainee and actively participates in craft cross‑training. Shows initiative by asking questions, seeking clarification, and volunteering for tasks that build skill and knowledge.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

• Diploma/GED
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide
• Ability to measure using the Metric and English system
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude
• The ability to understand directions and follow instructions; both oral and written

TOOLS

Maintain knowledge of tools and proper handling and usage.

• Scissors
• Fillet knife
• Allen wrenches
• Flashlight
• Crescent wrench
• Screwdrivers - flat and Phillips head
• Channel Locks
• Hammer
• Chalk box
• Butcher & Fillet Knife and Sharpener Chalk Line
• End Nippers
• Scissors 6” and 10”
• Measuring Tape (Combined Metrics/Standard) 8 M
• Set of Allen Wrenches – Standard and Metric
• Set of Tin Snips (Left, Right and Straight)
• Small Pair Bolt Cutters
• Utility Knife
• DISCRETION EXERCISED: N/A

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

• Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA: 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check
• LIASES WITH: Production Department Supervisors and Foremen, Health, Safety and Environmental, and trade personnel

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. Specific physical requirements include the following: Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis. Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis. Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps). Ability to work at heights above 12’ while working from ladders, scaffolding and/or man lifts. Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead). Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment. Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles. Possess sufficient handgrip and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment. Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toes shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.) safely per OSHA standards. Ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures. Ability to enter 18” x 36” openings and work in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time. Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands. Able to utilize adequate visual skills. Ability to fully extend the arm while reaching overhead, reaching out, reaching to the side and reaching down. Ability to perceive attributes of an object/material such as size, shape, temperature and texture by means of receptors in the hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

COMPENSATION

Pay rate depends on relevant experience: $22.00 - $29.68 per hour

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability‑related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932. Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA’s facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on‑schedule and on‑budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships, the Spearhead‑class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the Navajo‑class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T‑ATS), the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and the Independence‑variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 23 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.