Welder​/Structure Trainee Or Certified - High School Seniors Or Graduates

WELDER/STRUCTURE TRAINEE OR CERTIFIED - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES - SIGN-ON BONUS

Location:

Newport News, Virginia, United States

US Citizenship Required for this Position:
Yes

Full-Time

Shift: Multiple
Relocation:
Relocation assistance will be available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity:
No - Not eligible for telework

Travel Requirement:
No

Clearance Required:

No - Clearance Not Required to Start

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.

Anchored in our rich, 135-year history, we collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world.

This Job Listing is for recent or upcoming 2026 High School Graduates. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is offering a $500 sign‑on 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 are eligible for the sign‑on 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 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 full‑time for NNS. The Welding trainee program is offered once a month with 8‑10 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 3‑weeks (120 hours), 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (Monday through 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).

As a welder, you will be building your career by qualifying through the shipyard’s start‑of‑the‑art 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…