Insulator Trainee Or Certification - High School Seniors Or Graduates

INSULATOR TRAINEE OR CERTIFICATION - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES - SIGN-ON BONUS

Location:

Newport News, Virginia, United States

US Citizenship

Required:

Yes

Employment:
Full-Time

Shift: Multiple
Relocation:
Assistance available
Telework:
Not eligible

Travel Requirement:
No

Clearance Required:

No

This job listing is for recent or upcoming 2026 High School graduates. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is offering a $500 sign‑on bonus to Trade Trainee hires and an additional $500 relocation bonus for hires living 50 miles or greater from Newport News, VA. Job seekers who apply are eligible for the sign‑on bonus and relocation bonus. Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on‑site health center, 401(k) company match, employee discounts, and more.

The sign‑on bonus is for external new hires; current employees are ineligible.

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

Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course‑to‑hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full‑time for Newport News Shipbuilding. Courses are offered once a month with 8‑10 students per class. The Insulator program is offered at QED Systems (Norfolk, VA).

This (UNPAID) program is 2‑weeks (80 hours), 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (Monday‑Friday). Candidates who have received a certificate or diploma in insulation or a directly related field are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the completion of the trainee program. Directly related fields include Residential/Commercial/Industrial Insulation, and/or Flooring/Tile Installation.

Insulators are responsible for the removal, repair, and installation of various types of insulation, including fiberglass, calcium silicate, and rubatex materials. This role ensures thermal efficiency, noise reduction, and safety of piping systems, ventilation systems, and other structural elements throughout the ship. Their expertise is essential in preventing heat loss, minimizing condensation, and protecting against fire hazards, thereby contributing to the overall performance and longevity of aircraft carriers and submarines.

Insulators help enhance the comfort and safety of the ship while ensuring compliance with stringent marine industry standards and regulations.

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.

• Must be able to pass a 2‑week (UNPAID) program (80 hours), 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (Monday‑Friday) OR present one or more certificates of completion or diploma in insulation or a directly related field.
• 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 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.

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

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,…