SHIPBUILDER - ENTRY LEVEL

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.; Pascagoula (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS is hiring entry-level shipbuilders to learn on-the-job and start a career in a busy production yard. You may become a pipe welder, shipfitter, electrician, painter, pipefitter, or one of many other skilled trades, with comprehensive training and safety-first guidance.

You'll work in real production environments across shifts, with hands-on tasks, learning to read blueprints and follow instructions while building Navy ships that protect our seas.

Qualifications

• 0 years of experience
• A willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to show up on time and work hard
• Positive attitude—even when the work gets tough
• Comfort working in industrial environments
• Completed high school diploma or equivalent
• Technical or vocational coursework in any trade/skill
• 1 or more years of experience in construction, manufacturing, production, or other hands-on work
• Familiarity with basic hand tools (bonus points if you already know which end of the hammer to use)
• Interest in welding, fitting, painting, electrical work, or other shipyard trades
• Ability to read measurements, follow instructions, and learn from blueprints or diagrams
• Experience working in tough environments that require stamina, focus, and resilience

Skills

Willingness to learn

Punctuality

Positive attitude

Industrial environments

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical/vocational coursework

Job description

SHIPBUILDER - ENTRY LEVEL

Location:

Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States

Date: Oct 14, 2026

Req ID: 50314

Team: 83 Sector Craft Director

Entity: Ingalls Shipbuilding

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

Ingalls Shipbuilding is looking for entry-level shipbuilders who are ready to jump in, get trained, and discover a trade that fits them—and serve where the shipyard needs them most. Whether you become a pipe welder, shipfitter, electrician, painter, pipefitter, or one of the dozens of other trade specialists, your journey begins here.

Shipbuilding is challenging, hands-on work. You'll learn in real production environments that may involve working at heights, inside confined spaces, outdoors in all kinds of weather, and across multiple shifts. Some days might be warm and sunny; others might remind you that steel is cold at 5 a.m.

But through it all, Ingalls puts safety first—with procedures that meet or exceed industry standards—and we invest heavily in training to help you succeed.

If you've got grit, a willingness to learn, and the drive to stick with tough tasks until they're done right, we'll give you the tools, training, and support to build a career you can be proud of.

Must Have

• 0 years of experience
• A willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to show up on time and work hard
• Positive attitude—even when the work gets tough
• Comfort working in industrial environments

Nice to Have

• Completed high school diploma or equivalent
• Technical or vocational coursework in any trade/skill
• 1 or more years of experience in construction, manufacturing, production, or other hands-on work
• Familiarity with basic hand tools (bonus points if you already know which end of the hammer to use)
• Interest in welding, fitting, painting, electrical work, or other shipyard trades
• Ability to read measurements, follow instructions, and learn from blueprints or diagrams
• Experience working in tough environments that require stamina, focus, and resilience

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 toand 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.