Full-Time

A Class Structural Welder

Austal USA

Austal USA

1,001-5,000 employees

Designs and builds U.S. Navy vessels

Compensation Overview

$34.36/hr

Mobile, AL, USA

In Person

Category
Manufacturing & Production Operations (1)
Required Skills
Welding
OSHA

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Requirements
  • Minimum of 1 year as a B-Class Welder at Austal producing advanced fillet welds or 2 years of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) MIG welding experience at a comparable employer.
  • Ability to pass the A-Class skills evaluation test demonstrating welding ability for full-penetration joint details.
  • Ability to successfully complete onboarding procedures in preparation to pass Alabama CV weld qualification test requirements for A-Class welding on the vessel.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld fillets for material thicknesses of 4 mm to 25 mm.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld gusset toes and wraps with minimal blending required.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld frame wraps and terminations with minimal blending required.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld T-bar wraps and terminations with minimal blending required.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld into corners and vertical intersections with minimal blending required.
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate and correct basic weld pick-up with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to terminate stitch welds with minimal weld correction to address minor cosmetic or weld defects.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld continuously for 400 mm.
  • Demonstrated ability to back-step and sequence welds based on provided information and good welding practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to weld multi-pass fillets with only cosmetic correction required.
  • Ability to take direction and follow instructions.
  • Good mechanical aptitude with the ability to produce consistent quality.
  • Ability to inspect and correct basic weld pick-up without supervision.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
  • Ability to consistently meet production deadlines.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, job specifications, instruction manuals, manufacturer handbooks, change orders, and contract specifications to obtain weld sizing information and material edge preparation requirements.
  • Ability and willingness to work with and teach less-skilled workers.
  • Ability to maintain and perform routine preventive maintenance on welding equipment.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
  • Ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, kneel, stand for prolonged periods, climb safely, work at heights above 12 feet, and work at various levels.
  • Ability to lift, push, or pull 50 to 75 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently.
  • Ability to work in confined spaces, including openings measuring 18 by 36 inches, for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to safely use required tools and equipment and personal protective equipment in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
  • Ability to withstand hot and cold temperatures and exposure to the stated work environment.
Responsibilities
  • Weld simple to complex components and structures while meeting safety, quality, and schedule requirements.
  • Weld single-pass and multi-pass fillets in all positions for all joint and material thickness configurations.
  • Weld multi-pass full-penetration joint details for all joint and material thickness configurations.
  • Instruct and mentor less-skilled welders as assigned.
  • Work in compliance with safety, quality, environmental, and health requirements.
  • Ensure correct construction procedures are followed in compliance with Austal USA standards and project specifications.
  • Work shifts or overtime as required.
  • Maintain housekeeping and keep the worksite, materials, and equipment orderly.
  • Minimize waste of consumables and materials.
  • Complete daily work assignments, including work-completion and quality signatures.
  • Assist welders, fitters, apprentices, and trades assistants with daily tasks as directed.
  • Assist or work with other trades or Austal USA employees as directed, including tasks outside the craft when required.
  • Monitor the working environment for compliance with quality, safety, environmental, and health regulations and report deficiencies to the supervisor.
  • Comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily tasks.
  • Tour all vessels and work sites as required.
  • Use welding and related tools, including Miller saws, sanders, grinders, burr motors, band saws, skill saws, saws-all, and welding machines with applicable components.

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

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • MMF3 opened June 4, 2026, expanding submarine-module capacity and hiring.
  • Austal reported $17.7 billion order book and 76 ships scheduled or under construction.
  • FY2026 H1 USA revenue rose 26.4% to $801.4 million, despite EBIT pressure.

What critics are saying

  • Austal USA booked a $175 million FY2026 loss from T-ATS, AFDM, and LCU claims.
  • Those legacy-contract provisions extend through 2028 and invite more margin resets.
  • Hanwha’s $1.05 billion takeover offer faces U.S. national-security scrutiny and execution risk.

What makes Austal USA unique

  • Mobile’s 1.5 million-square-foot yard combines aluminum, steel, repair, and submarine modules.
  • MMF3 opened June 4, 2026, anchoring submarine-module manufacturing for Virginia and Columbia classes.
  • Austal USA pairs shipbuilding with Advanced Technologies, additive manufacturing, and autonomous-systems work.

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