Shipfitter

Aerotek; Virginia; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Shipfitter in Virginia for work in a local shipyard, installing and aligning metal structural components per blueprints, frames, and hull sections. You will read blueprints and templates to ensure precise alignment and fit-up, contributing to the safe construction or repair of vessels.

The role emphasizes hands-on fabrication, teamwork with welders and fitters, and long-term steady employment on marine projects with a focus on high-quality craftsmanship and safety practices.

Qualifications

• Experience reading blueprints and applying templates.
• Minimum of 3 years shipfitter experience in a shipyard or marine environment.
• Skilled in layout, cutting, aligning and fitting structural steel and heavy metal components.
• Proficient with torches and plasma cutters.
• Able to tack weld in prep for welding.

Responsibilities

• Lay out structural parts on plates using blueprints and templates.
• Mark reference lines and align parts within ship hull.
• Position parts per design specs and ensure proper fit-up.
• Collaborate with welders and fitters to complete tasks safely.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Layout & fit-up

Torch & plasma cutter

Quality inspection

Tools

Torch

Plasma cutter

Grinder

Hand tools

Measuring tools

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: ShipfitterJob Description

This role involves laying out and fabricating metal structural components such as plates, bulkheads, frames, and braces, and positioning them within the hull of a ship for riveting or welding. You will work directly from blueprints and templates to ensure precise alignment and fit-up of structural parts, contributing to the safe and accurate construction or repair of vessels.

Responsibilities

• Lay out the position of metal structural parts on plates and other materials using blueprints, drawings, templates, scribes, and hand tools.
• Locate and clearly mark reference lines such as center, buttock, and frame lines to guide fabrication and installation.
• Position structural parts within the hull of the ship according to layout and design specifications.
• Align structural components in relation to each other using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, wedges, and mauls to achieve proper fit-up.
• Mark locations of holes to be drilled and install temporary fasteners to hold parts in place for welding or riveting.
• Install packing, gaskets, liners, and structural accessories and members, including doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
• Prepare molds and templates for the fabrication of nonstandard or custom parts when required.
• Tack weld clips, brackets, and other components in place prior to permanent welding operations.
• Roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts as needed to meet design requirements.
• Use cutting tools such as torches and plasma cutters to cut and shape metal components accurately.
• Read and interpret blueprints and drawings to ensure all work meets specifications and tolerances.
• Use a variety of hand tools and measuring devices to verify dimensions, alignment, and quality of work.
• Follow all safety procedures while working in shipyard and naval base environments, including proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Collaborate with welders, fitters, and other trades to complete structural fabrication and installation tasks efficiently.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a shipfitter in a shipyard or marine environment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and templates accurately.
• Hands-on experience laying out, cutting, aligning, and fitting structural steel and other heavy metal components.
• Proficiency using torches and plasma cutters to cut and shape metal parts.
• Skill in using hand tools such as scribes, hammers, wedges, and measuring devices for precise layout and fit-up.
• Experience aligning structural parts using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, and wedges.
• Ability to tack weld clips, brackets, and other components in preparation for permanent welding.
• Knowledge of installing packing, gaskets, liners, doors, hatches, brackets, and other structural accessories.
• Capability to roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts.
• Strong understanding of ship structures, frames, and hull construction principles.
• Ability to work safely in a shipyard and naval base environment and comply with all site access requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on vessels or in a marine shipyard environment.
• Familiarity with marine electrical systems and shipboard layouts is beneficial.
• Stable work history in marine or industrial fabrication roles.
• Comfort using a variety of layout and measuring tools such as framing squares, combination squares, bevel squares, dividers, folding rules, and tape measures.
• Ability to use grinders and other power tools safely and effectively.
• Willingness to carry and maintain a personal tool set suitable for shipfitting work.
• Capability to obtain and maintain DBIDS access for working at naval bases.

Why Work Here?

You will join a local shipyard that offers full-time, steady work on meaningful marine projects, providing the opportunity to apply and grow your shipfitting skills in a hands-on environment. The workplace emphasizes long‑term, stable employment and values experienced tradespeople who take pride in high‑quality craftsmanship and safe work practices.

Work Environment

This position is based in a local shipyard supporting work on naval bases, and you must be able to obtain and maintain DBIDS access to perform duties on‑site. The role involves working in and around ship hulls, often in confined or elevated spaces, using tools such as torches, plasma cutters, grinders, and a full range of layout and hand tools. You will regularly use equipment including framing squares, combination squares,