Shipfitter: Structural Fabrication & Repair; Secret Clearance

Job Details

• US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
• Clearance Type: Secret
• Salary: $0

Continental Tide Defense Systems Inc. (Continental Tide) is headquartered in Reading, PA with additional locations in Philadelphia, San Diego, Bremerton, and Norfolk. We specialize in providing engineering and industrial services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Department of Defense organizations. Our culture values employee voice, growth, and challenging opportunities.

* Please note due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements. Only local candidates will be considered.

Continental Tide is seeking an experienced and skilled Ship fitter for our Norfolk, VA office. The successful candidate will join our Fleet Services Group performing various ship repair, modernization, and Alteration Installation Team (AIT) projects. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in structural fitting, blueprint reading, and fabrication work in a shipyard environment. Candidates must be safety‑conscious, dependable, and able to work in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented setting.

• Assemble, modify, lay out, fabricate, repair, and install plates, shapes, and/or pipe as part of a structural assembly in ship alteration and repair.
• Lay out, position, align, and fit structural metal parts according to blueprints and specifications.
• Fabricate and assemble metal parts using tools such as welding equipment, torches, grinders, and cutting tools.
• Interpret ship construction drawings and technical specifications to guide fabrication and installation.
• Perform tack welding and assist certified welders as needed, ensuring proper alignment and fit‑up of structural components per project requirements.
• Inspect completed assemblies to ensure conformance to specifications and adherence to safety and environmental compliance standards.
• Employ appropriate trade methods to ensure watertight integrity on metal hulls, including precise fitting and securing of components.
• Manufacture and install interior and exterior structural items, such as bulkheads, foundations, and framing systems.
• Repair, remove, and/or replace damaged ship structures and fittings, creating structural welds and fittings as needed.
• Manufacture and install parts and assemblies from templates, ensuring accuracy and fit.
• Prepare surfaces for welding, burning, and riveting; lay out holes for drilling using various hand, electric, and pneumatic tools.
• Measure and verify dimensions using precision instruments such as calipers, micrometers, and tape measures.
• Coordinate and arrange for the work of multiple trades based on technical work documents, blueprints, specifications, and written or oral instructions.

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of marine or industrial ship fitting experience required.
• Proficient in blueprint reading and layout techniques.
• Familiarity with welding, burning, and cutting tools.
• Ability to pass pre‑employment physical and background check.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to obtain & maintain a Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality; must consistently report to work on time.

• Must be able to read, write and comprehend simple instructions.
• Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Must be able to calculate and understand units of measure, including fractions and decimals.
• Must know how to measure using a scale and tape measure.
• Must be able to wear standard PPE and use basic ship fitting tool list.
• Must be able to withstand extreme temperatures & weather conditions.

• Weld Certification.
• Ultrasonic Impact Testing Treatment (UIT Treatment) - certification.
• Passing grade on breaking test.
• Certification in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also known as manual metal arc welding (MMA or MMAW), flux‑shielded arc welding or informally as stick welding (manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the…