Job Description
The Department of the Navy is hiring a Shipfitter (WG-10) for its shipyards, with a position available at the Point Loma Complex in San Diego, CA.
As a Shipfitter, you will install and fit parts on ships, locate positions of pieces by reference to water lines, center lines, frame lines, and other reference points. You will install packing, gaskets, liners, and similar items where necessary.
You will also remove and repair or replace damaged parts of doors, hatches, and ship structures.
The role involves laying out shell, deck, and bulkhead plates, I-beams, channel bar, angle bar, and other structural shapes, gun rings, struts, framing, and foundation structures from blueprints and mold loft templates.
This position is full-time and falls under the WG-10 pay grade. The work may require exposure to high noise levels, fumes, dust, heat, and chemicals, and you may need to wear personal protective equipment.
You may also be required to work uncommon tours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This role is ideal for experienced tradespeople who can work with minimal supervision and have a strong background in shipfitting or structural metal work.
Salary & Compensation
Estimated market salary: $45,000 - $85,000 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for the Shipfitter (WG-10) position, you must demonstrate the ability to perform the work without more than normal supervision. This is the screen-out element. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on the quality of your experience and training, not necessarily the length of time.
- Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (screen-out element).
- Experience in shipfitting or related trade, including installing and fitting parts on ships.
- Knowledge of blueprints, mold loft templates, and reference points such as water lines and center lines.
- Skill in laying out shell, deck, and bulkhead plates, I-beams, channel bar, angle bar, and other structural shapes.
- Experience removing and repairing damaged parts of doors, hatches, and ship structures.
- Ability to install packing, gaskets, liners, and similar items.
- Must be a US citizen.
- Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
- Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Role Responsibilities
Install and fit parts on ships, locating positions by reference to water line, center lines, frame lines, and other reference points.
- Install packing, gaskets, liners, and similar items where necessary.
- Remove and repair or replace damaged parts of doors, hatches, and ship structures.
- Lay out shell, deck, and bulkhead plates, I-beams, channel bar, angle bar, and other structural shapes, gun rings, struts, framing, and foundation structures from blueprints and mold loft templates.
- Work in areas where potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present, wearing personal protective equipment as required.
- May be required to work uncommon tours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS locations, including remote or isolated sites, on military and commercial aircraft.
How to Apply
Open the USAJOBS announcement and with your USAJOBS/Login.gov account.
- Complete the federal application questionnaire.
- Attach your federal resume (no more than 2 pages) and required documents, such as DD-214 for veterans or transcripts if using education.
- Submit your complete application package by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on October 13, 2026.
Additional Information
This position is covered under a bargaining unit.
- You may be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
- You must obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
- A tentative offer will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test; random drug testing may be required.
- You may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators, and safety shoes continuously for the duration of the work shift.
- Work may be performed in areas with potentially harmful physical and chemical agents; you may be required to participate in medical surveillance programs.
- Overtime or night differential pay and/or unusual duty hours may be required.
About Company
The Department of the Navy is a branch of the US Department of Defense responsible for naval operations and maintaining the fleet. It operates several shipyards and maintenance facilities across the country, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. This Shipfitter position supports the Navy's mission to maintain and repair naval vessels, ensuring they are mission-ready. Working for the Navy offers stable federal employment, structured pay scales, and opportunities for advancement within the trades. Department of the Navy
- Agency Wide is named as the hiring organisation for the SHIPFITTER post.