Shipfitter Entry Level; Carpentry, Construction, Steel , Steel Fabrication

Overview

Location:

Newport News, Virginia, United States

Date:
Jan 3, 2026

Req

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 Requirement:
No

Clearance Required:

No - Clearance Not Required to Start

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 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

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.
• 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-Ship fitter Experienced job posting.

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  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 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.