WelderStructure Trainee - For 2025 High School Seniors Or Graduates - Sign -On Bonus 40098

The Role

This Job Listing is for recent or upcoming 2025 High School Graduates.Newport News Shipbuilding a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries is offering a $500 signon bonus to welder trainee hires. In addition NNS is offering $500 in relocation bonus to welder trainee new hires that live 50 miles or greater from Newport News VA. Job seekers who apply until August 1 2025 are eligible for the signon and relocation bonus. Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay weekly paychecks paid time off paid holidays medical benefits including an onsite health center 401K company match employee discounts and signon bonus is for external new hires. Current Newport News Shipbuilding employees are ineligible for the signon bonus.

This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete three weeks of unpaid training in the Welder trade or for job seekers with a certificate in a related trades field.

Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working fulltime for NNS. The Welding trainee program is offered once a month with 810 students per class and is held at Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton VA) Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth VA) or Camp Community College (Suffolk VA). Each (UNPAID) program is 3weeks 120 hours) 7:00am 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday).

Candidates who have received and provide a certificate or diploma in Welding or directly related field are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the completion of the trainee program. Directly related fields include AWS Welding (SMAW GTAW GMAW and/or FCAW).

To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works please visit: https://hii/careers/nnsmarinetradestraineeprograms/

As a welder you will being your career by qualifying though the shipyards startoftheart welding school. Upon completion you will use a variety of welding filler metals and processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of ship construction. Welders are responsible for tack fillet and full penetration welding on steel foundations as well as structural and pipe joints for aircraft carriers and submarines.

Welders will employ various welding processes including SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding) GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) and perform welding in all positions using both manual and mechanized techniques. All work will meet stringent nondestructive testing requirements including visual inspection ultrasonic inspection and radiographic inspection. Additionally welders will receive further training in certified visual inspection fire watch protocols carbon arcing and troubleshooting minor welding equipment issues.

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.

Watch this video to learn more: Have

Must be able to pass a 3week (UNPAID) program 120 hours) 7:00am 3:30pm (Monday Friday) OR present one or more certificates of completion or diploma in Welding 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

Nice to Have

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.