Marine Structural Fitter (Journeyman)

Job Description

Job Description

Marine Structural Fitter (Journeyman)

Employer: LEAD Staffing | Hampton Roads, VA

Primary Worksite: Norfolk, VA

Schedule: Full-Time | Contract | 40 hours per week (Overtime as required)

A Day in This Role

You’ll start your shift reviewing drawings and offset tables, planning the sequence to lay out and fit frames, bulkheads, decks, and brackets. As the day progresses, you’ll align large structural assemblies using precision instruments, verify dimensions before and after weld, and collaborate closely with welders and other trades to achieve tight tolerances. You’ll fabricate temporary staging, shoring, and strong-backs when needed, and you’ll keep safety at the forefront in a dynamic shipyard environment.

Core Responsibilities

• Lay out, fit, and tack weld structural components including frames, bulkheads, decks, and brackets.
• Set up and align structural assemblies using precision measuring tools.
• Fabricate temporary staging, shoring, and strong-backs as needed.
• Read and interpret structural drawings, blueprints, and offset tables.
• Coordinate with welders and other trades for component installation.
• Ensure dimensional accuracy and alignment before and after welding.
• Use burning, grinding, and cutting equipment for material preparation.
• Follow all shipyard safety procedures and quality standards.

Qualifications You Bring

• Minimum of 3 years of shipfitting experience in a marine or shipyard environment.
• Strong blueprint reading and structural layout skills.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and structural fitting equipment.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and extended schedules as required.
• Clean driving record required.
• Must be willing to undergo background check and drug screening.

Work Environment

• Shipyard and industrial settings
• Exposure to noise, heat, cold, confined spaces, and marine/industrial hazards
• PPE required at all times

Interview Preview

1. Tell us about your recent shipfitting experience in a shipyard or marine setting.
2. Which structural assemblies have you most often fitted and aligned?
3. How do you maintain dimensional accuracy on large components throughout fit-up and weld?
4. Which measuring and layout tools are your go-tos on the job?
5. How do you coordinate with welders to ensure proper fit-up prior to final welding?
6. Describe a complex fit-up challenge you solved and how.
7. How do you use offset tables and structural drawings in the field?
8. What safety controls are most critical when handling heavy structural members?
9. How do you juggle multiple fit-up tasks against tight availability windows?
10. How do you escalate dimensional discrepancies to supervisors or engineering?

Why Join LEAD Staffing

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Paid Sick Leave
• Holiday Pay (eligible after qualifying hours worked)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• Referral Bonus Program – earn a bonus for referring qualified candidates
• Consistent shipyard work with overtime opportunities
• Opportunity to work on complex naval and industrial projects
• Strong safety-first work culture

Our Commitment

Below is our equal opportunity statement provided verbatim:

**Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

**

*LEAD is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, labor union affiliation, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

*