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Austal USA

Designs and builds U.S. Navy vessels

A Class Structural Welder

Full-Time
$40.86/hr
Mid
San Diego, CA, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Production OperationsWelding & Metal Fabrication
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 1 year as a B-Class Welder at Austal producing advanced fillet welds, or 2 years of GMAW MIG aluminum welding and/or 2 years of FCAW/GMAW steel welding experience at a comparable employer; an approved additional or accelerated Structural Welding training course may count toward required experience.
  • Pass the A Class skills evaluation demonstrating full-penetration joint welding, arc gouging, and back gouging of steel welds using mechanical, flame, and arc-gouging processes.
  • Successfully complete onboarding procedures to prepare for and pass the applicable AL CV weld qualification tests for A Class vessel welding, or Steel GMAW, FCAW-G, SMAW, or SMAW Groove weld qualification tests for A Class Steel welding.
  • Demonstrate ability to weld fillets for material thicknesses of 4 mm to 25 mm; gusset toes and wraps; frame wraps and terminations; T-Bar wraps and terminations; corners and vertical intersections; continuously for 400 mm; and multi-pass fillets with only cosmetic correction required.
  • Demonstrate ability to evaluate and correct basic weld pick-up, terminate stitch welds with minimal correction for minor cosmetic or weld defects, and back-step and sequence welds according to provided information or good welding practices.
  • Monitor steel preheat, inner-pass temperatures, and heat input within applicable steel welding procedure parameters, and monitor steel heat distortion and apply appropriate corrective changes.
  • Adhere to proper contract preparation, including removing paint in the area of any weld.
  • Take direction and follow instructions; demonstrate mechanical aptitude and produce consistent-quality work.
  • Inspect and correct basic weld pick-up without supervision.
  • Work independently and as part of a team; solve problems and troubleshoot.
  • Meet production deadlines and maintain routine preventive maintenance on welding equipment.
  • Read, interpret, and work from construction drawings, job specifications, instruction manuals, manufacturer handbooks, change orders, and contract specifications to obtain weld sizing information and material edge-preparation requirements.
  • Work with and teach less-skilled workers.
  • Wear required personal protective equipment.
  • Work any shift or overtime as required, with a flexible schedule.
  • Obtain and maintain the required security clearance.
  • Be at least 18 years old at the time of application and provide proof of U.S. Person Status.
  • Have no felony conviction for theft/deception or violent crimes within seven years of disposition, and no felony conviction for drug crimes within three years of disposition.
  • Submit to a drug screen and background check.
  • Meet the physical requirements, including bending, squatting, stooping, crawling, kneeling, prolonged standing, climbing stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps, and working at heights above 12 feet.
  • Occasionally lift, push, or pull 50 to 75 pounds and frequently lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.
  • Work at a variety of levels, maintain balance on uneven surfaces and around obstacles, and safely use required tools and equipment.
  • Safely use personal protective equipment in accordance with OSHA standards, including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, and flotation gear as applicable.
  • Withstand hot and cold temperatures; enter 18-by-36-inch openings and work in confined spaces for prolonged periods.
  • Respond to verbal and audible commands and have adequate visual skills, reach, handgrip, and coordination to carry and operate tools and equipment.
  • Comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations.
Responsibilities
  • Weld a variety of aluminum and/or steel configurations in compliance with safety, quality, environmental, and health requirements, including single- and multi-pass fillets in all positions and multi-pass full-penetration joint details across joint and material-thickness configurations.
  • Instruct and mentor less-skilled welders when assigned.
  • Work efficiently and productively, maintaining a sense of urgency.
  • Maintain safe work practices and comply with safety policies and procedures.
  • Ensure construction procedures comply with Austal USA standards and project specifications.
  • Maintain housekeeping by keeping the worksite free of rubbish and materials and equipment stowed in an orderly manner.
  • Minimize waste of consumables and materials.
  • Complete daily work assignments and sign off on work completion and quality.
  • 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 assigned.
  • Monitor the working environment for compliance with quality, safety, environmental, and health regulations and report deficiencies to the supervisor.
  • Comply with Austal USA’s Equal Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Policy and Employee Handbook.
  • Tour vessels and work sites as required.

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

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 16, 2026 dry-dock contract expands emergency maintenance work and utilization.
  • March 19, 2026 Master Boat subcontract broadens distributed T-ATS production capacity.
  • A new 192,000-square-foot assembly building completes by early 2027, boosting OPC and TAGOS-25 throughput.

What critics are saying

  • DOJ criminal trial starts October 5, 2026; conviction threatens debarment from Navy contracts.
  • Wildcat and Hanwha takeover fights distract management and expose ownership uncertainty.
  • Reuters reported A$202.8 million 2026 U.S. business EBIT loss; margin pressure remains severe.

What makes Austal USA unique

  • Mobile yard builds steel and aluminum warships for Navy and Coast Guard.
  • Austal USA leads Virginia and Columbia submarine module fabrication since 2022.
  • West Coast repair yard and certified dry dock extend recurring sustainment revenue.

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Benefits

  • Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Austal
Sep 29th, 2026
Austal launches into Land Forces for the first time.

Austal launches into Land Forces for the first time. September 29, 2026 Building on 38 years of sovereign shipbuilding and as the Landing Craft Medium (LCM) and Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) programs commence as part of the Australian Army's littoral manoeuvre capability, Austal will make its debut at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition for the first time. The Land Forces Exposition is taking place from 6 to 8 October 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) and provides a unique opportunity for Austal to demonstrate how its extensive shipbuilding experience and innovative technology can support defence partners in the littoral environment. Following two decades of global littoral capability development, which has seen the company deliver landing craft and littoral combat ships for use by the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Army, Austal is turning its attention to the domestic customer. Headquartered in Henderson. Western Australia, Austal is building 8 Landing Craft Heavy and 18 Landing Craft Medium vessels for the Australian Army under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement. As part of these programs, Austal is undertaking a major recruitment campaign to hire hundreds of people across trades and office-based roles over a 12-month period and recruitment representatives will be at the Austal stand (2L16) to talk about career opportunities, including apprenticeships and early careers programs. Outside of the landing craft builds, the company has also been working on integrated autonomous solutions and decision support tools to provide commanders with advanced decision making during littoral operations. A new tool has been developed in house by Austal's R&D team to integrate vessel and environmental data, including mobility, cargo loading and beach conditions, supporting faster, better-informed and actionable decisions. Delivered in partnership with Greenroom Robotics, visitors to the Austal stand can also immerse themselves with a new digital command table, replicating the bird ops table. It will showcase manned unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in support of landing craft missions through Austal's AROS autonomy architecture and Vantage-class Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels. Major General (Retired) Kathryn Toohey AM CSC will host a thought leadership panel session delivered by the Austal team between 1130 - 1230 on Thursday, 8 October. Under the theme Advancing Littoral Capability: Austal's Integrated Advantage, the panel will explore how Austal's experience designing, constructing and sustaining world class maritime platforms helps deliver integrated solutions for its customers. Throughout the event, representatives from Austal's senior leadership, business development, technology, supply chain, human resources and sustainment teams will be available to discuss the company's capabilities and answer questions. "Austal is delighted to be participating in Land Forces 2026 for the first time, especially in WA, where we are beginning work on landing craft programs that mark the start of a continuous naval shipbuilding future in this state." "Land Forces is an important opportunity for Austal to emphasise the work and recruitment underway to build Australia's future defence fleet at Henderson, and the decades of experience and innovation that have led us to this point." Austal CEO Paddy Gregg "We look forward to welcoming our defence partners, the international community and stakeholders from across government and industry to the Austal stand and our thought leadership session, where we'll be highlighting the design, construction, sustainment and autonomy expertise that provides our customers with a unique integrated advantage in littoral capabilities."

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.