SHIPFITTER - ENTRY LEVEL (0-1 YEARS OF STEEL FABRICATION/TACK WELDING)
Location:
Newport News, Virginia, United States
Date: Oct 26, 2026
Req ID: 50489
Team: X11 FITTERS
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: Multiple
Relocation: No relocation assistance available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: No
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $57,283.20 to $62,067.20
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII's Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees - including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is offering competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on-site health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more.
Fitters are often called the "carpenters" of shipbuilding or "Artists of Steel" because they need to read and interpret blueprints or plans to place, maneuver, or fabricate steel structures or hulls of ships. Fitters use a variety of tools to measure, cut, grind, fit, align and tack weld parts as small as a fingernail to the large sub-assemblies and super lifts that form the structural body of a ship. Fitters also build in-place all interior structures, hatches, doors, bulkheads, etc., to complete all the steel work in the ship.
Fitters at NNS attend and become qualified through the shipyard's state of the art welding school. Fitters are expected to climb and work in high areas, crawl and work in cramped, confined spaces, and perform tasks in all kinds of weather conditions. A fitter will apply their skills in various locations across the shipyard, including the shops, platens or concrete and metal structures, dry-docks, and onboard ships in support of new construction, ship repair, and ship overhauls.
If you have 0-1 year of experience* related to the following, you might be a good fit for this job.
Construction work (e.g., erecting structures, reading blueprints, framing houses)
Carpentry (e.g., framing, cutting metal, using angles)
Auto Mechanic or Autobody work
Structural iron work (e.g., welding, building structural frameworks, understanding of metals)
Please learn more by watching this video: https://youtu.be/D5y0gmgXUL4?si=FgeceQ67KZNlGBe7
Must Have
Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and legally eligible to work in the U.S.
Candidates must be able to:
Climb ladders and work at extreme heights.
Work in small, tight, or confined spaces.
Kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis.
Lift heavy objects weighing 40 lbs. or more.
Work while repeatedly reaching overhead.
Work indoors or outdoors year-round in all weather conditions.
Work in areas with radiation.
Take and pass a respirator fit test.
Work assigned shift as production needs.
Take and pass a Physical Agility Test.
Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn.
*Note that if you have 3 or more years of job-related experience and/or technical/vocational school training, you should apply for the X11-Shipfitter Experienced job posting.
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII's diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.
