Local Shipfitter

Ship fitter

This role involves laying out and fabricating metal structural components such as plates, bulkheads, frames, and braces, and positioning them within the hull of a ship for riveting or welding. You will work directly from blueprints and templates to ensure precise alignment and fit-up of structural parts, contributing to the safe and accurate construction or repair of vessels.

• Lay out the position of metal structural parts on plates and other materials using blueprints, drawings, templates, scribes, and hand tools.
• Locate and clearly mark reference lines such as center, buttock, and frame lines to guide fabrication and installation.
• Position structural parts within the hull of the ship according to layout and design specifications.
• Align structural components in relation to each other using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, wedges, and mauls to achieve proper fit-up.
• Mark locations of holes to be drilled and install temporary fasteners to hold parts in place for welding or riveting.
• Install packing, gaskets, liners, and structural accessories and members, including doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
• Prepare molds and templates for the fabrication of nonstandard or custom parts when required.
• Tack weld clips, brackets, and other components in place prior to permanent welding operations.
• Roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts as needed to meet design requirements.
• Use cutting tools such as torches and plasma cutters to cut and shape metal components accurately.
• Read and interpret blueprints and drawings to ensure all work meets specifications and tolerances.
• Use a variety of hand tools and measuring devices to verify dimensions, alignment, and quality of work.
• Follow all safety procedures while working in shipyard and naval base environments, including proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Collaborate with welders, fitters, and other trades to complete structural fabrication and installation tasks efficiently.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a ship fitter in a shipyard or marine environment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and templates accurately.
• Hands-on experience laying out, cutting, aligning, and fitting structural steel and other heavy metal components.
• Proficiency using torches and plasma cutters to cut and shape metal parts.
• Skill in using hand tools such as scribes, hammers, wedges, and measuring devices for precise layout and fit-up.
• Experience aligning structural parts using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, and wedges.
• Ability to tack weld clips, brackets, and other components in preparation for permanent welding.
• Knowledge of installing packing, gaskets, liners, doors, hatches, brackets, and other structural accessories.
• Capability to roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts.
• Strong understanding of ship structures, frames, and hull construction principles.
• Ability to work safely in a shipyard and naval base environment and comply with all site access requirements.

• Experience working on vessels or in a marine shipyard environment.
• Familiarity with marine electrical systems and shipboard layouts is beneficial.
• Stable work history in marine or industrial fabrication roles.
• Comfort using a variety of layout and measuring tools such as framing squares, combination squares, bevel squares, dividers, folding rules, and tape measures.
• Ability to use grinders and other power tools safely and effectively.
• Willingness to carry and maintain a personal tool set suitable for shipfitting work.
• Capability to obtain and maintain DBIDS access for working at naval bases.

You will join a local shipyard that offers full-time, steady work on meaningful marine projects, providing the opportunity to apply and grow your shipfitting skills in a hands-on environment. The workplace emphasizes long-term, stable employment and values experienced tradespeople who take pride in high-quality craftsmanship and safe work practices.

This position is based in a local shipyard supporting work on naval bases, and you must be able to obtain and maintain…