Shipboard Installer 1

Caribou Thunder; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Match

Flexible PTO

Education Reimbursement

Military Leave

Work-Life Balance

Job summary

Caribou Thunder is seeking a Shipboard Installer I to join our crew in Chesapeake, VA. You will install, route, and secure electrical and communication cabling aboard U.S. Navy vessels as part of modernization efforts, following NAVSEA standards.

This entry-level role requires a high school diploma (or GED) and 0–4 years of related experience, with extensive travel and per diem. The position offers hourly pay and the opportunity to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• 0–4 years of related industrial, shipyard, electrical, or military experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret clearance.
• Ability to read installation drawings and engineering documents.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Install, remove, route, and secure electrical and communication cabling aboard U.S. Navy ships.
• Fabricate, terminate, and test cables meeting NAVSEA standards.
• Interpret installation drawings and work packages to ensure correct equipment installation.
• Travel to shipyards and naval installations nationwide.
• Maintain compliance with NAVSEA standards and shipyard safety procedures.
• Work in confined spaces and shipboard environments.

Skills

Cable installation

Read diagrams

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Shipboard Installer I

Entry Level | Chesapeake, VA | Hourly: $18.00 - $21.50 with OT| Extensive Travel/ Per Diem | Ability to Obtain Secret Clearance

Support critical U.S. Navy combat systems modernization efforts by installing and integrating mission-essential cabling and hardware aboard active naval vessels. Join an experienced alteration installation team responsible for delivering high-quality shipboard installations that improve the operational readiness and combat capability of the U.S. Navy fleet.

A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Install, remove, route, and secure electrical and communication cabling aboard U.S. Navy ships in support of combat systems modernization efforts.
• Perform cableway preparation and finalization activities in accordance with Navy installation standards and engineering drawings.
• Fabricate, terminate, and test electrical and fiber optic cables while assembling connectors to meet NAVSEA quality requirements.
• Interpret installation drawings, wiring diagrams, and technical work packages to ensure accurate equipment installation.
• Utilize hand tools, power tools, and shipboard installation equipment to complete alteration installation tasks safely and efficiently.
• Work closely with experienced installation technicians, supervisors, and engineering personnel to execute complex shipboard modernization projects.
• Maintain compliance with NAVSEA standards, quality assurance requirements, and established shipyard safety procedures.
• Perform work within confined spaces, ladder wells, machinery spaces, and other industrial shipboard environments.
• Support troubleshooting and correction of installation discrepancies identified during inspections or system testing.
• Travel to shipyards and naval installations throughout the United States to support scheduled modernization and maintenance availabilities.
• Contribute to a collaborative installation team focused on delivering high-quality workmanship while meeting project schedules.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• 0–4 years of related industrial, shipyard, electrical, mechanical, installation, or military experience.
• Ability to perform cable installation, cable removal, cable routing, and cableway finalization aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
• Ability to fabricate, terminate, and assemble cables and connectors following engineering drawings and quality standards.
• Ability to read and interpret installation drawings, work packages, and technical documentation.
• Experience using common shipboard installation and repair hand tools.
• Ability to work safely in industrial shipyard and shipboard environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including climbing ladders and navigating ladder wells aboard ships.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel extensively in support of customer and program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting U.S. Navy ship modernization or alteration installation programs.
• Knowledge of U.S. Navy combat systems and NAVSEA installation standards.
• Previous Alteration Installation Team (AIT) experience.
• Prior U.S. military service, particularly Navy or other maritime environments.
• Experience working aboard active naval vessels or within commercial or military shipyards.
• Familiarity with electrical, fiber optic, or communications cable installation practices.
• Knowledge of Navy quality assurance and workmanship standards.
• Ability to work independently while supporting multidisciplinary installation teams.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries.

We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades—strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

TEAM THUNDER — Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy
• Mission Proven
• Global Reach
• Skilled Teams
• Modern Tools
• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier—delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Systems Integration, Shipboard Modernization, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence—disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being—knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work–Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being—we invest in you.