Marine Painter Trainee Or Certification - High School Seniors Or Graduates

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

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Req

Team: X33 SURF PREP & TREAT DE

Entity:
Newport News Shipbuilding

US Citizenship

Required:

Yes

Full-Time

Shift: Multiple

Relocation assistance available

Virtual/Telework Opportunity:
No – Not eligible for telework

Travel Requirement:
No

Clearance Required:

No – Clearance Not Required to Start

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. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.

This position 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. In addition, Newport News Shipbuilding is offering $500 in relocation bonus to Trade Trainee new hires that live 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, 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 two weeks of unpaid training in the Marine Painter 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 5‑15 students per class. The Painter Trainee program is offered at Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA).

This (UNPAID) program is 2‑weeks (80 hours), 7:00 am – 3:30 pm (Monday thru Friday).

Candidates who have received and provide a certificate or diploma in Marine Painting or 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 Construction, Auto Body, Environmental Cleaning, and/or Coatings Inspector Program.

To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works, please visit:

Watch this trainee video to learn more:

The Marine Painter trainees will be trained to SSPC
* SP‑1, SP‑2, SP‑3, and SP‑11 standards using power tools, hand tools, and chemicals to clean surfaces before applying coating systems. Almost every component or structural element on aircraft carriers and submarines require specific coatings, making it essential to efficiently select and apply a diverse range of marine coating systems. These coatings protect steel and other surfaces from rust and corrosion, prevent marine life attachment on underwater surfaces, and enhance the ship’s overall appearance.

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.

Addition…