LEAD Marine’s Most In-Demand Jobs

A Decade of Historic Demand

The scale of the mission ahead is massive. To meet national security goals and maintain the “Golden Fleet,” the U.S. Navy and its shipbuilding partners will need to hire approximately 250,000 skilled trades personnel over the next 10 years. With nearly 25% of the current shipyard workforce eligible for retirement within the next five years, the industry isn’t just growing—it’s undergoing a total generational handoff. This creates a critical need for:

  • Marine Electricians
  • Outside and Inside Machinists
  • Structural Welders & Shipfitters
  • Pipefitters & Pipe Welders
  • Safety Professionals & Quality Assurance Inspectors
  • Entry-level helpers and Firewatch
Welder working on ship part

Why Now?

Strong growth projections for the next decade make this more than just a job; it’s a stable, high-impact career path. As the Navy invests billions into modernizing submarine and destroyer production, the industry is calling for a new generation of tradespeople to lead the way. Joining this field now means being part of a mission-critical workforce that keeps our nation moving and our waters secure.

LEAD Marine partners with many marine industry employers, including some of the largest international defense companies, to match them with skilled trades workers who best fit the roles they are looking to fill. But as an active and approved vendor to three of our nation’s largest shipbuilders, there are some key jobs that LEAD Marine is almost always looking for strong candidates for. Learn more about LEAD Marine’s most in-demand jobs.

Marine Electrician

Role Summary: A marine electrician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing marine equipment. These skilled tradesmen are trusted to keep all electrical systems, components, and equipment working properly. A marine electrician must be able to work onshore in or around marine facilities and offshore, on ships or other marine vessels. The job often involves working long hours to complete time sensitive projects.

  • Good communication skills – Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
  • Attention to detail and ability to read blueprints, follow manuals and instructions.
  • Strong understanding of the basic electrical and electronic fundamentals.
  • Critical thinking skills for troubleshooting problems.
  • Mental stamina to focus on problem solving, sometimes working under pressure in stressful or time sensitive situations.
  • Physical stamina to work long hours as necessary.

Job candidates must have reached journeyman status having completed an apprenticeship and having obtained a license to work independently with little oversight. Additional job requirements include:

  • Having navy repair/marine electrical or prior military electrical experience.
  • Strong understanding of shipboard electrical systems, including both 115-volt and 450-volt ungrounded systems.
  • Being able to work independently, or lead work teams to satisfactorily accomplish an assigned task with little or no discrepancies.
  • Having NAVSEA Cableway and Multi Pin Certification a plus.

The duties and responsibilities of a marine electrician often include:

  • Installing, maintaining, and repairing marine electrical or electronic equipment.
  • Installing conduit, electrical boxes, jay boxes, light switches, light fixtures, circuit breakers, etc. as needed.
  • Following specifications, blueprints, layouts, and work orders to complete projects.
  • Working on shipboard electrical systems, including both 115- and 450-volt ungrounded systems.
  • Connecting and disconnecting electrical gear including pumps, motors, and controllers.
  • Performing Planned Maintenance System (PMS) Requirements on 3000 Series MIPS for shipboard systems.
  • Performing inspections and assessments of electrical equipment, including inspections of damaged or deranged electrical systems.
  • Opening, packing, and closing MCT.
  • Replace wrong wiring, and repair controllers as needed.
  • Troubleshooting fundamental electrical components in support of:
    • Heating and Cooling (A/C) systems.
    • Ventilation systems.
    • Galley and Scullery shipboard systems.

Outside Machinists/
Mechanics

Role Summary: Outside Machinists and Mechanics specialize in working on machinery and equipment on ships, submarines, and other marine vessels. Must be an experienced 1st or 2nd Class Outside Mechanic.

  • Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
  • Detail oriented and organized.
  • Problem solving capabilities.
  • Good communications skills and able to work well with others.

Hiring requirements for LEAD Marine’s Outside Machinist and Mechanic jobs must include:

  • Being able to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
  • Having valve & auxiliary maintenance/repair work experience.
  • Able to work as part of a team and may be asked to work weekends and overtime.
  • Manual and physical dexterity to work in tight spaces.
  • Having diesel and shafting experience is a plus.

Outside Machinists and Mechanics are responsible for:

  • Removing, repairing, overhauling, installing and aligning main propulsion machinery, auxiliary systems such as condensers, compressors, pumps, forced draft blowers, main feed pumps, valves and other mechanical equipment.
  • Installing, adjusting, setting, and repairing or replacing various controls, plus regulating and safety devices such as meters, gauges, valves, governors, and automatic alarms.
  • Testing or assisting in testing of shipboard machinery.
  • Laying out passage holes on bulkheads, decks, and other surfaces for connections, such as shafting and steam lines.

Pipefitters with Marine Work Experience

Role Summary: Pipefitters are responsible for removing, repairing, targeting, laying out, fabricating, and testing marine piping systems such as auxiliary salt water, fire main, potable water, hydraulic, compressed air, fuel, oil, and engine exhaust in accordance with NAVSEA/Military standards and drawings.

  • Good numerical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong communication skills
  • Attention to detail and ability to interpret marine blueprints, drawings, and schematics. Must be able to pass a blueprint test and brazing test.
  • Ship repair terminology and ship compartments.
  • Equipment and work processes used in marine pipe fabrication, repair, and targeting.

Common job duties for marine pipefitters include:

  • Having a strong understanding of NAVSEA/Military standards and ensuring all systems meet those standards.
  • Building, maintaining, fixing, and testing marine piping systems, parts, and components.
  • Running lines and leads required to accomplish work and accomplish drop testing if using flammable or oxygen depleting gases.
  • Repairing and fabricating pipes and components by using various shop equipment such as table saws, pipe threading machines, bending machines (power and hand), drill presses and brazing equipment.

Marine Structural Welder

Role Summary: A marine structural welder’s job is to construct and repair large marine structures and vessels that require welding. They are responsible for designing, positioning, assembling, and fabricating metal frameworks and components of large marine structures or vessels.

  • Proficiency in various welding techniques and best practices.
  • Strong understanding of metals.
  • In-depth knowledge of welding codes and standards.
  • Familiarity with OSHA regulations relative to the shipbuilding industry.
  • Ability to work in a physically demanding environment (shipboard, sub-assemblies, ladders, staging, etc.)

All job candidates must have at least 5 years of navy repair/marine welding experience and meet the following qualifications:

  • Read and interpret welding symbols, prints, drawings, and prints.
  • Be experienced with welding carbon steel and mild steel with ceramic tape backing.
  • Ability to properly use fillet and butt weld gauges.
  • Be eligible to obtain DBIDs/Naval Base Access

All Marine Structural Welders will be required to pass the following tests:

  • SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) process in 2G, 3G, & 4G positions
  • FCAW (Flux Core Arc Welding) process in 2G, 3G, & 4G positions
  • GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) process
  • Air Carbon Arc Gouging proficiency test

Shipfitter

Role Summary: A shipfitter is a skilled tradesperson responsible for building or repairing ships and other marine vessels. They typically work in shipyards as part of a team that assembles or ‘fits together’ structural portions of a ship.

  • Ability to accurately read and comprehend instructions, sketches, drawings, and schematics.
  • Good communication skills; able to correspond in English.
  • Capable of problem solving using basic mathematic and geometric concepts.
  • Physical strength. Capable of lifting heavy objects or wielding heavy tools.

Shipfitter job applicants must be DBIDS eligible and have at least 4 years of shipyard and shipfitter experience. They must also have experience:

  • Using oxy-acetylene torch for cutting and washing.
  • Welding:
    • SMAW (S-11A) (fillet)
    • FCAW (S-1) (fillet)
    • GMAW (S-25) (fillet)
  • Using hand and power tools safely, which includes but is not limited to mauls, grinders, circular, and reciprocating saws, and hand and magnetic drills.

Job responsibilities for shipfitters generally include:

  • Following detailed instructions, sketches, drawings, and schematics.
  • Laying out and fabricating metal plates, bulkheads, and frames.
  • Tack welding brackets and plates.
  • Preparing molds and templates for fabrication.
Two men working on a ship

Join Our Trade Network

LEAD is ready to connect you with the job opportunities that will propel you forward. With our enhanced interactive job database, joining our Trade Network has never been easier.

Join Our Trade Network

LEAD is ready to connect you with the job opportunities that will propel you forward. With our enhanced interactive job database, joining our Trade Network has never been easier.