First Class Shipyard Welder First Class Shipyard Welders Needed
Earn $40+/Hour + $140/Day Per Diem
Long-Term Shipyard Opportunity Newport News, Virginia
CraftForce is hiring experienced First Class Shipyard Welders for one of the nation's premier naval shipbuilding programs!
If you're an experienced SMAW (Stick) Welder with naval or commercial shipyard experience, this is your opportunity to work on world-class vessels while earning top pay, daily non-taxed per diem, and weekly attendance bonuses.
Compensation & Benefits
Starting Pay
$40.00+ per hour
Per Diem
$140.00 per day
(Non-Taxed for Qualified Travelers)
Weekly Bonus
$0.50 per hour worked
Perfect Attendance Bonus Paid Weekly
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off (after eligibility period)
Paid Holidays (after eligibility period)
Long-Term Project Stability
Weekly Pay
As a First Class Shipyard Welder, you'll perform critical welding operations supporting the construction and repair of some of America's most advanced naval vessels.
This is not production welding.
We're looking for craftsmen who take pride in their trade and can perform precision multi-pass structural welding in demanding shipyard environments.
Successful candidates will work aboard ships, in dry docks, fabrication shops, and confined spaces while producing welds that meet strict military standards.
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Perform multi-pass SMAW (Stick) welding.
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Weld fillet and butt joints in all positions.
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Complete structural welding on naval vessels.
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Read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and shipyard drawings.
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Perform Air Carbon Arc Gouging.
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Use oxygen/propane heating torches.
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Measure and inspect welds using fillet and butt weld gauges.
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Work safely in confined spaces, elevated work areas, ladders, and staging.
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Follow OSHA and shipyard safety requirements at all times.
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Produce quality welds that meet military specifications.
Required Qualifications
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Minimum 4 years of Newport News Shipbuilding or naval/commercial shipyard welding experience.
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Experience with:
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SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
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Multi-pass welding
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Air Carbon Arc Gouging
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Oxygen/Propane heating torch
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Blueprint reading
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Fillet and butt weld gauges
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Ability to work in physically demanding shipyard environments.
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Strong understanding of OSHA regulations related to shipbuilding.
Nickel/Copper welding experience is a plus but not required.
Welding Qualification Testing Required
Prior to beginning productive work, all welders must successfully pass Newport News Welding School qualifications without additional training.
Testing includes:
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All-position SMAW welding
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2G (Horizontal)
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3G (Vertical)
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4G (Overhead)
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Multi-pass butt weld qualification
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Air Carbon Arc Gouging proficiency
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Visual Weld Inspection – Level I
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Welder Vision Test
All testing is conducted in accordance with MIL-STD-248D requirements.
Safety Requirements
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain the following before reporting to work:
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Confined Space Training
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Hazard Communication Training
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Respirator Medical Clearance, Fit Test & Qualification
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Fall Protection Training
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PPE Training
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Audiometric Testing
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Hexavalent Chromium Medical Clearance
Physical Requirements
This is physically demanding work requiring the ability to:
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Lift, climb, crawl, kneel, and work overhead.
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Work aboard ships and in confined spaces.
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Work from ladders, scaffolding, and staging.
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Wear respiratory protection daily.
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Work in varying temperatures, humidity, and industrial conditions.
Why Work with CraftForce?
At CraftForce, we know skilled craftsmen are the backbone of American manufacturing and shipbuilding. We work hard to place experienced tradespeople on long-term projects with competitive pay, outstanding benefits, and opportunities to build lasting careers.
If you're ready to put your welding skills to work on one of the country's most important shipbuilding programs, we want to hear from you.
Apply Today!
CraftForce – Where America Goes to Work
Equal Opportunity Employer
CraftForce is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all qualified applicants.
Health, 401k, Dental, and Vision all offered upon new hire period.
Must be able to pass a Hair follicle drug test (3 month look back)
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Any offer of employment is contingent upon meeting the hiring standards of CraftForce and our clients which include the following:
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Completion of a satisfactory background check
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Passing a drug test (saliva, urine, or hair tests may be required)
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Satisfactory reference checks
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Satisfactory employment verification
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Additional licenses, certifications, and security clearance may be required
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Additional skills evaluations may be required
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In some cases, federal, state, or local laws or federal contracts may require US Citizenship
We invite you to self-identify as a veteran! https://forms.gle/q8aRVv2FD3AuX2Qu9
CraftForce is an E-Verify employer.
CraftForce is an equal employment opportunity employer.
You can find important information about labor laws on our website: https://www.craftforce.com/about/department-of-labor-policies/
For security reasons and to meet the legal requirements of this contract to fill certain positions, CraftForce is required to ensure that any personnel performing work for this client are U.S. Citizens.
Citizenship Status Discrimination
“Under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, employers are not allowed to limit job applicants or hires to U.S. citizens unless they are required to do so by federal, state, or local laws or federal contracts that require specific positions to be filled only by U.S. citizens.”