Shipfitter

Job Description
Company Overview:

Continental Tide Defense Systems Inc. (Continental Tide) is headquartered in Reading, PA with additional locations in Philadelphia; San Diego, CA; Bremerton, WA and Norfolk, VA. We specialize in providing engineering and industrial services to the US Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Department of Defense Organizations. At Continental Tide, we understand that a great company culture is one where employees know their voice is heard, no matter what their title is, and letting them grow in their role as the company does. We want to provide our employees with the opportunity to learn, be challenged and be in a position where they can succeed, develop new skills, and do things they wouldn't have the opportunity to do elsewhere. Our fast-paced and challenging environment, employees here at Continental Tide can catapult themselves to the top and we're looking for 'the best at what they do' to join our team and help us grow in new ways.

*Please note due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements. Only local candidates will be considered.

Job Overview:

Continental Tide is seeking an experienced and skilled Shipfitter for our Norfolk, VA office. The successful candidate will join our Fleet Services Group performing various ship repair, modernization and Alteration Installation Team (AIT) projects. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in structural fitting, blueprint reading, and fabrication work in a shipyard environment. Candidates must be safety-conscious, dependable, and able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting.

Essential Duties & responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Utilize knowledge, skills, and abilities to assemble, modify, lay out, fabricate, repair, and install plates, shapes, and/or pipe as part of a structural assembly in ship alteration and repair.
• Lay out, position, align, and fit structural metal parts according to blueprints and specifications.
• Fabricate and assemble metal parts using tools such as welding equipment, torches, grinders, and cutting tools.
• Interpret ship construction drawings and technical specifications to guide fabrication and installation.
• Perform tack welding and assist certified welders as needed, ensuring proper alignment and fit-up of structural components per project requirements.
• Inspect completed assemblies to ensure conformance to specifications and adherence to safety and environmental compliance standards.
• Employ appropriate trade methods to ensure watertight integrity on metal hulls, including precise fitting and securing of components.
• Manufacture and install interior and exterior structural items, such as bulkheads, foundations, and framing systems.
• Repair, remove, and/or replace damaged ship structures and fittings, creating structural welds and fittings as needed.
• Manufacture and install parts and assemblies from templates, ensuring accuracy and fit.
• Prepare surfaces for welding, burning, and riveting; lay out holes for drilling using various hand, electric, and pneumatic tools.
• Measure and verify dimensions using precision instruments such as calipers, micrometers, and tape measures.
• Coordinate and arrange for the work of multiple trades based on technical work documents, blueprints, specifications, and written or oral instructions.

Experience and Skills

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Minimum 5-8 years of marine or industrial ship fitting experience required
• Proficient in blueprint reading and layout techniques
• Familiarity with welding, burning, and cutting tools
• Ability to pass pre-employment physical and background check
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to obtain & maintain a Secret clearance
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality; must be able to consistently report to work on time

Other Requirements

• Must be able to read, write and comprehend simple instructions
• Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral or diagram form
• Must be able to calculate and understand units of measure, including fractions and decimals
• Must know how to measure using a scale and tape measure
• Must be able to wear standard PPE and use basic ship fitting tool list
• Must be able to withstand extreme temperatures & weather conditions

Licenses/Certifications Preferred But Not Required:

• Weld Certification
• Ultrasonic Impact Testing Treatment (UIT Treatment) - certification
• Carbon steel certification
• Passing grade on breaking test
• Certification in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux shielded arc welding or informally as stick welding (manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld)
• Certification in flux-cored arc welding (FCAW or FCA) (a semi-automatic or automatic arc welding process)
• Tack Welding via the welding school
• Preferred tack welding certification
• Preferred SMAW and FCAW or FCA certifications

Physical Requirements:

• Exposure to open-air environments, including noisy, hot, and cold conditions.
• Required to visit project sites aboard ships and rigs, both onshore and offshore.
• Must wear various types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hearing, eye, head, and hand protection, as required.
• Site visits may involve standing on a variety of surfaces and angles, bending, crouching, and climbing over obstructions such as scaffolding, ladders, and internal barge or boat structural components.
• Exposure to sound levels exceeding 100 decibels.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and night vision to inspect marine components and systems, identify defects or irregularities, and safely operate tools and equipment.
• May work in confined spaces with limited ventilation.
• Requires prolonged periods of sedentary work, including sitting and/or standing.
• May be required to operate machinery, power tools, and/or heavy equipment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively to exchange and comprehend information.
• Frequent exposure to extreme weather conditions, including high heat and extreme cold.
• Must be able to lift and carry 30 lbs. or more, depending on the task requirements.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform the essential job duties satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employee or others. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Benefits
Continental Tide offers an empowering professional environment in a culture that emphasizes teamwork, shared responsibility for company and client success, and personal growth. We offer competitive wages in salaried and hourly positions, educational opportunities, competitive employee benefit options, and 401K plan with company match.

Why Join Us?
At Continental Tide, we foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. By joining our team, you'll work on impactful projects supporting our nation's fleet, with opportunities to advance your career in a fast-paced and rewarding environment.

Apply Today:

If you're ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply and become a part of our mission to deliver quality solutions to the Fleet.


See all of our latest opportunities at or follow us on our LinkedIn page at

Reasonable Accommodations Statement:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform the essential job duties satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employee or others. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Continental Tide is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify and U.S. citizenship is required for most positions. Continental Tide prohibits discrimination against any protected class from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs. Consistent with these obligations, Continental Tide also provides reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices.


"This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) . This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans."