SHIPFITTER (CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, is seeking a Shipfitter (certification required) for a full-time position. The role involves reading drawings, cutting, grinding, fitting, aligning and tack welding components to form ship structures.

The job requires climbing, working at heights, and outdoor or cramped-space work. Candidates must have a certificate or diploma in Shipfitting or a related field and be able to obtain necessary certifications.

Qualifications

• Certificate or diploma in Shipfitting or related field from an accredited program.
• Must able to work at extreme heights or in confined spaces.
• Must lift 40 lbs and pass a respirator fit test.
• Must be able to work overtime and on assigned shifts.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret drawings and procedures for shipfitting.
• Measure, cut, grind, fit, align and tack weld parts.
• Build in-place interior structures, hatches, doors and bulkheads.
• Work in shops, dry-docks and onboard ships to support new construction and repairs.

Skills

Strong math skills

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Certificate or diploma in Shipfitting or related field

Tools

SMAW welding

GMAW welding

Plasma cutting

Oxy-fuel cutting

Job description

SHIPFITTER (CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States

Date: Jul 29, 2026

Req ID: 47513

Team: X11 FITTERS

Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding

US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes

Full-Time

Shift: Multiple

Relocation: No relocation assistance available

Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework

Travel Requirements: No

Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start

Salary Range: $59,675.20 to $62,067.20

The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range

Meet HII's Newport News Shipbuilding

With more than 25,000 employees - including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world.

The Role

Fitters are often called the "carpenters" of shipbuilding or "Artists of Steel". Fitters read, interpret, plan and execute from drawings and procedures. Fitters measure, cut, grind, fit, align and tack weld parts as small your finger nail to the large sub-assemblies and super lifts that form the structural body of the ship. Fitters must have strong math skills and a good mechanical aptitude. Fitters build in-place all interior structures, hatches, doors, bulkheads, etc., to complete all the steel work in the ship. Fitters are expected to climb and work in high areas or crawl and work in cramped confine spaces and perform tasks with all kinds of working conditions in-between. A fitter will apply their skills in the shops, platens, dry-docks and onboard ships in support of new construction, ship repair and ship overhauls.

This position is for job seekers who have received and can provide a certificate or diploma in Shipfitting or a directly related field, including Welding (SMAW, GMAW), Plasma Cutting and/or Oxy-Fuel Cutting, Construction Maintenance, Carpentry, Auto Body, and/or Sheet Metal Fabrication.

Candidates with no experience or certifications are encouraged to apply to the Shipfitter Trainee requisition.

Must Have

• One or more certificates of completion or diploma in Shipfitting or a directly related field from a high school vocational program, community college, trade school, technical college, apprentice program, post-secondary institution, or military equivalent.
• Candidates must able to work at extreme heights or small confined spaces.
• Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs and must take and pass a respirator fit test.
• Must be able to work assigned shift as production needs.
• Must be able to do overhead work.
• Must be able to work outdoors.
• Must be able to wear a respirator.
• Must be able to work overtime as needed.
• Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn

Nice to Have

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

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.

All qualified applicants