A

Austal USA

Designs and builds U.S. Navy vessels

Outside Machinist

Full-Time
No salary listed
Senior
Mobile, AL, USA
In PersonMust travel to off-site work locations.
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 5 years of experience in the applicable trade, 2 years of shipbuilding experience, education comparable to a trade apprenticeship, or at least 1 year of experience as a B-class outside machinist at Austal.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of shaft alignment techniques, including laser alignment systems and dial indicator alignment processes.
  • Working knowledge of machining procedures.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude.
  • Knowledge of ship terminology.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and job specifications.
  • Ability to safely operate fixed and non-fixed machinery.
  • Ability to set up machinery to meet flatness tolerance requirements.
  • Ability to perform work on marine vessels.
  • Ability to follow directions and work with limited supervision.
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
  • Ability to write simple correspondence.
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic and measure using the metric system.
  • Ability to apply common-sense understanding to written, oral, or diagrammed instructions.
  • Proven problem-solving abilities.
  • Must have a full set of personal tools.
  • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
  • Able to provide proof of United States person status.
  • Must have no felony conviction for theft, deception, or violent crimes within seven years of the disposition date, or drug crimes within three years of the disposition date.
  • Willingness to submit to a drug screen and background check.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DBIDS or other required clearance or access.
  • Ability to meet the physical requirements, including climbing, working at heights and in confined spaces, lifting up to 75 pounds occasionally, and prolonged standing, bending, squatting, crawling, and kneeling.
  • Ability to safely use required tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment in accordance with OSHA standards.
  • Ability to work in extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, airborne particles, and other shipyard conditions.
  • Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations.
Responsibilities
  • Install equipment aboard vessels safely and productively.
  • Disassemble, troubleshoot, repair, and reassemble shipboard equipment as directed by the supervisor.
  • Mark and measure to close tolerances using calibrated equipment.
  • Safely rig equipment in accordance with OSHA requirements.
  • Inspect work, identify potential problems, and initiate corrective actions.
  • Increase awareness of quality procedures within the department.
  • Follow correct work procedures and Austal guidelines.
  • Develop other team members' skill levels and provide on-the-job training.
  • Contribute to innovation and productivity improvements.
  • Assist with waste elimination, including materials and consumables.
  • Assist the supervisor in maintaining department equipment and its maintenance.
  • Work toward the team goal of delivering the vessel on time.
  • Leave the work area clean and store and protect tools and equipment safely.
  • Perform work in compliance with NAVSEA standard items.
  • Travel to off-site work locations as required.
  • Liaise with supervisors, the production manager, PDSS leadership, and safety personnel.

About the company

Austal USA builds and maintains ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, covering aluminum and steel hulls and a lifecycle of maintenance and modernization. Ships are designed and constructed with modular manufacturing and in-house capabilities, supported by a large, continuously operating facility and a Repair & Services division. The company also develops advanced technologies—autonomy, unmanned surface vessels, AI, and submarine modules—with partnerships like Electric Boat, plus an Advanced Technology division that runs the Navy’s additive manufacturing efforts. Its goal is to deliver and sustain modern vessels, broaden its maritime footprint, and advance defense-focused autonomous and additive manufacturing technologies.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

1999

Get referred to Austal USA

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 2026 MMF3 opened, expanding submarine-module capacity for Virginia and Columbia boats.
  • Austal says submarine module work remains highly profitable and strategically important.
  • Wildcat's September 2026 bid keeps Austal USA's standalone value in play.

What critics are saying

  • August 2026 guidance flipped Austal USA to a $175 million EBIT loss.
  • T-ATS, AFDM, and LCU overruns exposed weak execution on legacy contracts.
  • Hanwha and Wildcat bids signal a sale fight that can disrupt management.

What makes Austal USA unique

  • Mobile's integrated yard builds submarines, steel vessels, and modules in one campus.
  • Since 2022, Austal USA leads Navy submarine module fabrication and outfitting.
  • The Danville AM CoE gives Austal a rare Navy additive-manufacturing position.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Australian Defence Magazine
Sep 9th, 2026
Wild card bids for Austal USA.

Wild card bids for Austal USA. By Max Blenkin | Canberra | 9 September 2026 2 / 3 free articles left. Australian shipbuilder Austal has received a second bid to buy its US subsidiary Austal USA. That follows a bid for Austal USA from Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of South Korean defence and industrial powerhouse Hanwha Aerospace. The latest bid comes from Miami-based Wildcat Infrastructure which has put forward a non-binding bid to Austal's board to buy Austal USA, comprising the company's US entities and shipyard at Mobile, Alabama. Their proposal values Austal USA at between $US 1.25 billion (approx. A $1.73 billion) and $US 1.35 billion (approx. A $1.87 billion). That's a big step up on the Hanwha bid which values Austal USA at US $1.05 billion (approx. A $1.45 billion) to US $1.2 billion (approx. A $1.66 billion). Not much is known about Wildcat Infrastructure. The company website says Wildcat Equity Partners is a privately held family investment firm "focused on businesses where long-term capital, management expertise and perseverance can make all the difference." According to its LinkedIn profile, Wildcat Infrastructure "builds and acquires next-generation companies driven by the global demand for critical infrastructure, specifically Energy (clean and renewable), Information (5G), Transport (bridge and roads) and Water Infrastructure (clean water and wastewater systems)." Wildcat Infrastructure president and executive director is businessman George Nicolaides whose entry on LinkedIn shows a background in the oil sector. In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Austal said Wildcat had indicated it intended to operate the company as a standalone platform, retaining the Austal brand and the company's US operations. "The board and its advisers will consider the transaction proposed by Wildcat," the statement said. Like the Hanwha bid, this was good news for shareholders with Austal shares jumping 6.4 per cent to $4.63, their highest level since April. Austal is the largest Australian owned defence company operating in the US, building a numbers of ships for the US Navy, including the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships and Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels. In 2024, Hanwha made an unsuccessful takeover bid for all of Austal. The company rejected the offer citing concerns that regulatory approvals from the US and Australia would not be forthcoming. But at the time, Austal said they remained open to "further engagement if Hanwha is able to provide certainty on whether a transaction would be approved." Hanwha subsequently withdrew the offer. However, Hanwha does own almost 20 per cent of Austal in Australia. Wildcat's bid could open the way for a bidding war. Another issue is whether the US would approve a sale to South Korea, considering the Trump administration's strong America first stance. As well, Trump ordered a scaling back on joint exercises because of South Korea's refusal to assist the US in its conflict against Iran.