Pipe Trades Assistant

**Please note this training is located in Foley, Alabama for all 16 weeks**

Launch your career in the maritime industry with Austal USA’s 16-week Pipe Fitter Training Program, designed to equip you with the skills needed to support the construction of the nation’s most advanced naval vessels. Through hands-on training and real-world application, you’ll learn essential pipe fitting techniques used on cutting-edge ships that serve the United States Navy and Coast Guard. This program is more than just training — it’s a gateway to a rewarding career where your craftsmanship directly contributes to strengthening America’s naval capabilities. Join us and be part of a team shaping the future of maritime innovation.

REPORTS TO:   Pipe Supervisor

SUPERVISES:   N/A

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains overall safe work practices and adheres to safety policies and procedures
• Can maintain Safe and effective uses of craft related tools and equipment, including but not limited to: millers, sanders, grinders, burr motors, band saws, skill saws, saws all, come along and chain falls etc.
• Ability to insure quality of own work
• Executes work in an efficient manner
• Thinks critically and problems solve
• Ensure correct construction procedures are adhered to in compliance with Austal USA standards and project specifications
• Receives and carries out verbal and written instructions
• Works as part of a team and within assigned roles
• Maintains housekeeping, keeps worksite free of rubbish, keeps materials and equipment stowed in an orderly manner
• Conserves waste of consumables and other material

• Accountable for completion of daily work assignments including the completion and signatures for work completion and quality
• Learns on-the-job as an on-the-job trainee
• Assists or works with other trades or Austal USA employees as directed (May be assigned tasks outside craft as required)
•   Monitors working environment for compliance with quality, safety, environmental and health regulations and report deficiencies to supervisor
• Must comply with the Austal USA’s “Equal Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Policy” which expects that all relationships among persons in the workplace will be professional and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment
• Must comply with the Austal USA’s Employee Handbook
• Ability to learn the fundamentals of pipe fitting and welding concepts and practices in order to perform assigned task to satisfy budget and schedule requirements

• Must obtain working knowledge of marine pipe components
• Must obtain working knowledge of marine pipe systems

Fitter

• Performs pipe fitting functions such as but not limited to fit up of pipe; cutting, beveling, sanding, grinding, measuring, prepping, tacking, bolting and the installation of pipe spools using standard pipe fitting tools and equipment
• Performs basic layouts of pipe attachments, materials and weldments using basic engineering sketches, drawings and diagrams
• Identifies Pipe materials and parts including; pipe, filler metals, fittings, valves, flanges, bolts, etc.
• Ability to understand work packages and learn each component
• Performs basic math and geometric formulas to find dimensions, layout, or solve missing values
• References Blue Book efficiently 

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

• Applicable Trade Technical Diploma/Certificate or experience as a plumbing apprentice is preferred

• Previous shipyard experience or experience in a similar industry working on pipe systems is preferred.
• Veterans / Transitioning Service Members encouraged to apply.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide is required
• Ability to measure using the Metric and English system is required
• Knowledge of shipyard terminology such as general ship structure and vessel layout preferred
• The ability to understand directions and follow instructions; both oral and written is required
• Ability to learn on the job to progress skills, knowledge and understanding of craft is required
• Ability to pass applicable skills or aptitude test is required

• For fitter track; must pass aptitude test

TOOLS:

1----SET ASSORTED PHILLIPS HEAD SCREW DRIVERS 1----SET ASSORTED FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVERS 1----FLASHLIGHT 1 EA.--- ADJUSTABLE WRENCH—6”& 12” 1----VISE GRIP PLIERS – 12” 25’ METRIC MEASURE TORPEDO LEVEL 12” SQUARE CENTER PUNCH BALL PEEN HAMMER 12” SLIP JOINT PLIERS SET OF ROUND AND HALF ROUND FILES PPE

Accumulation of additional tools will be required upon hire

DIRECTION EXERCISED:  N/A

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:  Candidate must meet Austal USA’s basic employment eligibility guidelines.

• 18 years of age or older at time of application
• Able to provide proof of US Person Status
• No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
• No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
• Willing to submit to a drug screen
• Willing to submit to a background check

LIASES WITH: Production Department Supervisors and Foremen, Health, Safety and Environmental, and trade personnel

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sit. 

Specific physical requirements include the following:

Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis. Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis. Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps). Ability to work at heights above 12’ while working from ladders, scaffolding and/or man lifts. Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead). Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment. Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles. Possess sufficient handgrip and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment. Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toes shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.) safely per OSHA standards. Ability to withstand cold and hot temperatures. Ability to enter 18” x 36” openings and work in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time. Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands. Able to utilize adequate visual skills. Ability to fully extend the arm while reaching overhead, reaching out, reaching to the side and reaching down. Ability to perceive attributes of an object/material such as size, shape, temperature and texture by means of receptors in the hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat.  The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold.  The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.

SAFETY

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks. 

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.