Shipfitter

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Shipfitter

Job Description

This role is a journeyperson-level shipfitter position in a steel shop environment, responsible for independently planning, laying out, fabricating, and assembling ship structures using blueprints and a variety of tools and processes. The shipfitter works with plates, pipes, and structural shapes, prepares materials for welding, and supports ship construction, repair, conversion, and maintenance projects across commercial and national defense assets.

Responsibilities

• Plan, sequence, and complete shipfitting work with minimal supervision using detailed blueprints and drawings.
• Interpret and apply layout techniques for plates, pipes, and structural shapes, including flat layouts and complex layouts involving projection and compound angles.
• Use ship-related nomenclature to accurately locate and identify structures in relation to frames, longitudinal stringers, centerlines, and other reference points.
• Read and understand weld symbols and apply them to proper material preparation for welding operations.
• Perform tack welding and burning tasks to support fabrication and assembly of ship structures.
• Operate a variety of power tools such as shears, saws, presses, and other shop equipment to cut, form, and prepare materials.
• Create accurate templates as needed for fabrication and installation of ship structures and components.
• Assemble foundations, deck houses, and specialized structures for all areas of the ship in accordance with specifications and quality standards.
• Follow 5S guidelines to maintain an organized, clean, and efficient work area and contribute to continuous improvement in the steel shop.
• Support ship construction, repair, conversion, and maintenance projects at multiple shipyard and naval facilities as assigned.
• Work assigned shifts and overtime as needed, including weekends, to meet project schedules and workload demands.

Essential Skills

• Ability to plan and complete shipfitting work independently using blueprints and technical drawings.
• Strong knowledge of layout for plates, pipes, and structural shapes, including complex layouts involving projection and compound angles.
• Solid understanding of ship-related nomenclature and the ability to locate structures in relation to frames, longitudinal stringers, centerlines, and similar reference points.
• Ability to read and interpret weld symbols and apply them to material preparation for welding.
• Proficiency in tack welding and burning in a shipfitting or steel shop environment.
• Experience using power tools such as shears, saws, presses, and related fabrication equipment.
• Capability to make precise templates for fabrication and installation of ship structures.
• Demonstrated ability to assemble foundations, deck houses, and specialized ship structures to specification.
• Familiarity with and adherence to 5S guidelines in a production or shop environment.
• Willingness and ability to work 1st and 2nd shifts as needed, including weekends and overtime, based on workload.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a steel shop or shipyard environment.
• Supporting ship construction, repair, conversion, or maintenance projects.
• Flexibility to support work at multiple facilities, including commercial and naval locations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality in fabrication and assembly.
• Ability to work safely in an indoor/outdoor industrial setting and follow all safety procedures.

Why Work Here?

You will contribute to meaningful work that supports both commercial and national defense assets, joining a team that values craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement. The environment offers steady hours with opportunities for overtime, exposure to diverse and challenging projects, and the chance to grow your skills in a well-equipped steel shop. You will be part of a culture that emphasizes organization, efficiency, and teamwork, while providing opportunities to work on a variety of vessels and structures across multiple facilities.

Work Environment

This role is based in a steel shop and industrial shipyard setting in Norfolk, Virginia, with work performed in both indoor and outdoor environments. You will use a range of fabrication equipment and power tools, including shears, saws, presses, and welding-related tools, while working around heavy steel structures and ship components. The position primarily operates on 1st shift, typically 6:00 AM to 2:45 PM or 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with a 45-minute lunch, and may require coverage of 2nd shift from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM as needed. Weekend work, usually on Saturdays, and overtime before or after scheduled shifts is expected based on workload, averaging 40–55 hours per week. Work is performed at multiple facilities, including commercial shipyards and naval locations, in a production-focused environment where adherence to safety practices and 5S principles is essential.

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

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Norfolk,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

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.