MARINE PAINTER TRAINEE OR CERTIFICATION - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES - SIGN-ON BONUS

Marine Painter Trainee Or Certification

Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is offering a $500 sign-on bonus to trade trainee hires. In addition, Newport News Shipbuilding is offering $500 in relocation bonus to trade trainee new hires that live 50 miles or greater from Newport News, VA. Job seekers who apply are eligible for the sign-on bonus 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.

This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete two weeks of unpaid training in the Marine Painter trade or for job seekers with a certificate in a related trades field. Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding.

The Painter Trainee program is offered at Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA). This (UNPAID) program is 2-weeks (80 hours), 7:00 am 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday). Candidates who have received and provide a certificate or diploma in Marine Painting or directly related field are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the completion of the trainee program.

Directly related fields include Residential/Commercial Construction, Auto Body, Environmental Cleaning, and/or Coatings Inspector Program.

The Marine Painter trainees will be trained to SSPC* SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, and SP-11 standards using power tools, hand tools, and chemicals to clean surfaces before applying coating systems. Almost every component or structural element on aircraft carriers and submarines require specific coatings, making it essential to efficiently select and apply a diverse range of marine coating systems. These coatings protect steel and other surfaces from rust and corrosion, prevent marine life attachment on underwater surfaces, and enhance the ship's overall appearance.

Working at Newport News Shipbuilding often involves performing tasks in various weather conditions, at extreme heights on scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms and in small, confined spaces such as tanks, compartments, or voids in a ship. These environments require a strong focus on safety, precision, and adaptability, as well as physical agility and comfort working in challenging conditions.

Additional responsibilities include ensuring compliance with specified MIL thickness requirements, interpreting paint schedules, calculating surface areas and estimating the required materials; testing the grade, viscosity, and fineness of the paint, and performing final quality inspections. Marine Painters will prepare surfaces, mask unpainted areas, sandblast surface, select appropriate coating application methods and provide suitable curing conditions. Practice modern painting techniques and may work with powder coating, non-skid surfaces, and other special hull treatments.

Must have:

• Must be able to pass a 2-week (UNPAID) program (80 hours), 7:00am 3:30pm (Monday Friday) OR present one or more certificates of completion or diploma in Marine Painting or a directly related field from a high school vocational program, community college, trade school, technical college, apprentice program, postsecondary institution, or military equivalent.
• Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
• Must be able to pass physical agility test
• Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
• Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
• Must be able to perform overhead work
• Must be able to work overtime as needed
• Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
• Must be able to perform work outdoors, year- round, in all weather conditions
• Must be able to work at extreme heights
• Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
• Must be willing to work any shift