Shipbuilding Steel & Aluminum Fabrication Journeyperson

Imagine taking a set of drawings in the morning and by day’s end seeing hull modules, superstructure panels, or a pilothouse section take form under your hands. That’s the impact you’ll make at NBBB on Whidbey Island (Freeland, WA), where we’ve been building tugs, ferries, fire boats, fishing vessels, barges, and dinner boats since 1964. Our production facilities are supported by comprehensive yard systems—stormwater management, electrical, compressed air/gas, plumbing, structural building maintenance, and light construction—that keep the work moving.

Ready for the challenge?

You’ll be the craft professional fitting and assembling the structural backbone of marine vessels—hulls, superstructures, masts, pilothouses, and engine room structures—across fabrication, subassembly, and final erection.

How you’ll contribute

• Plan work from standard and metric engineering drawings; lay out, cut, form, and prepare parts for accurate fit-up.
• Build and use jigs for modules and superstructure alignment.
• Tack and perform minor welding using MIG and Arc processes.
• Operate shears, band saws, rollers, and press brakes to form plate and shapes.
• Cut with oxygen/propane torches and plasma for clean, precise edges.
• Move between fabrication shop, jig stations, and on-boat assembly areas.
• Use grinders, levels, and tape measures to verify alignment and tolerances.
• Collaborate within a tight-knit team—communicate clearly, adapt quickly, interpret plans, and solve problems.
• Champion ESR safety culture and maintain spotless housekeeping.
• Mentor up-and-coming teammates and support a culture of learning.
• Tackle unplanned tasks that come with a dynamic, startup-like environment.

What it takes to succeed

• 3 years in shipbuilding or marine metal fabrication (shipfitter experience preferred).
• Core welding capability: MIG, TIG, and Stick.
• High school diploma/GED or vocational equivalent.
• Solid basic math for layout and measurement.
• Fluency with shipfitting tools and forming equipment: torches, saws, bandsaws, rollers, presses, and shears.
• Proven ability to read and apply drawings/blueprints.
• Knowledge of materials, fabrication methods, and marine build/repair practices.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Comfort working around heavy machinery and ability to work overtime.
• Lift/carry up to 50 lbs; work at heights to 60 ft.
• Enter confined spaces with a respirator; work in tight quarters and awkward angles.

Make your application stand out

• Experience with both aluminum and steel fabrication.
• Background in shipyard newbuilds or repair environments.
• Forklift/manlift operation certifications or experience.
• Shipyard Competent Person certification.
• Basic pipefitting and carpentry capabilities.
• Desire and potential to grow into crew leadership roles.

Pre-employment screening

Ability to pass company pre-employment screens in background check, drug test, and physical skills test.