RIGGER ENTRY LEVEL - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES

Rigger Entry Level - For 2026 High School Seniors Or GraduatesLocation: Newport News, Virginia, United StatesSalary Range: $57,283.20 to $62,067.20The 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 ShipbuildingWith 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. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.The RoleThis job listing is for recent or upcoming 2026 high school graduates. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is offering a $500 sign-on bonus to welder trainee hires. In addition, NNS is offering $500 in relocation bonus to rigger entry level new hires that live 50 miles or greater from Newport News, VA. Job seekers who apply are eligible for the sign-on and relocation bonus. Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on-site health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more. The sign-on bonus is for external new hires. Current Newport News Shipbuilding employees are ineligible for the sign-on bonus.Riggers provide the kinetic energy of the shipbuilding business. They operate the vast majority of cranes throughout the shipyard in addition to a wide assortment of forklifts with various capacities. Riggers are also responsible for operation of the shipyard's tug boats – moving ships between dry docks and piers, and mooring ships while at the piers and outfitting berths. Riggers handle every component of a ship - from pipes and valves, to pumps, motors, and electronic equipment, to the largest machinery and structural components – riggers are able to lift, manipulate, and set them into place. To accomplish this, riggers must be able to calculate the weight and center of gravity of the item being handled, determine the capacity of the lift points, and calculate the angle imposed on the handling gear in order to select the most appropriate gear for the task at hand. Riggers erect, maintain, and dismantle various types of scaffolding throughout the shipyard. Each type is selected to best suit the physical location and intended use, to provide a safe working platform for personnel where none existed. The Rigger's Department is also responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and issuing the myriad assortment of tools used in the shipbuilding business. This section of the department also installs and maintains various types of ventilation equipment onboard ships to prevent dangerous atmospheres from developing.Must HaveCandidates must be 18 years of age or older and legally eligible to work in the U.S. Candidates must be able to:Undergo a background investigation and drug screenPass physical agility testKneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basisLift at least 40 poundsPerform overhead workWork overtime as neededBe clean shaven to wear a respiratorPerform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditionsWork at extreme heightsWork in small, tight, confined spacesBe willing to work any shiftWhy HIIWe 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 to View email address on click.appcast.io and 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.