DECK ELECTRICIAN TRAINEE OR CERTIFIED - FOR 2026 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR GRADUATES - SIGN-ON BONUS

The Role

This Job Listing is for recent or upcoming 2026 High School Graduates. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is offering a $500 sign-on bonus to Trade Trainee hires. In addition, Newport News Shipbuilding is offering $500 in relocation bonus to Trade Trainee new hires that live 50 miles or greater from Newport News, VA. Job seekers who apply are eligible for the sign-on bonus and relocation bonus. Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on-site health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more. The sign-on bonus is for external new hires. Current Newport News Shipbuilding employees are ineligible for the sign-on bonus.

This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete two weeks of unpaid training in the Deck Electrician trade or for job seekers with a certificate in a related trades field.

Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding. Courses are offered once a month with 6-12 students per class. The Deck Electrician Trainee program is offered at Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA). This (UNPAID) program is 2-weeks (80 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday).

Candidates who have already received and provide a certificate or diploma in electrical or directly related field are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the completion of the trainee program. Directly related fields include Commercial/Residential/Industrial/Aviation Electrical, Renewable Energy, Generator Installation, and/or Appliance Repair.

To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works, please visit: https://hii.com/careers/nns-marine-trades-trainee-programs/.

Mandatory Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a 2-week (UNPAID) program (80 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday) OR present one or more certificates of completion or diploma in electrical or a directly related field from a high school vocational program, community college, trade school, technical college, apprentice program, post–secondary institution, or military equivalent.
• Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
• Must be able to pass physical agility test
• Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
• Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
• Must be able to perform overhead work
• Must be able to work overtime as needed
• Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
• Must be able to perform work outdoors, year- round, in all weather conditions
• Must be able to work at extreme heights
• Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
• Must be willing to work any shift

Nice to Have

• Must be able to read and interpret complex electrical schematics
• Must be able to install lighting and receptacles
• Must be able to install wire way racks
• Must be able to install electronic controls
• Must be able to conduct preventative maintenance
• Must be able to rebuild equipment
• Must be able to weld studs for mounting equipment

What We Offer

• Competitive pay
• Weekly paychecks
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Medical benefits including an on-site health center
• 401K company match
• Employee discounts
• Other benefits include:
• Savings plan options (401K)
• Financial education and planning tools
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discounts
• Early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships