Shipfitter

Job Title: Shipfitter Job 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, bevel squares, hammers of various sizes, center punches, cold chisels, dividers, crescent wrenches, vice grips or clamps, C-clamps, folding rules, tape measures, chalk lines, torch tip cleaners, burning glasses, welding shields (optional), strikers, flashlights, grinders, and a variety of wrenches, socket sets, sliding clamps, and screwdrivers. The environment requires consistent use of personal protective equipment, including a hard hat, safety glasses, monoglasses or face shields, work gloves suitable for shipfitting and welding, and steel toe shoes. Work is performed in an industrial setting with exposure to noise, heat, and outdoor conditions typical of shipyard operations, and may require standing, bending, and lifting for extended periods.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Norfolk, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Norfolk,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 13, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.