Shipbuilding & ship machinery Jobs in Usa

Interested Job Profile

Why Work in the Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA

1. Robust Industry with National Importance

The shipbuilding and ship machinery sector is a critical component of the U.S. economy and national defense. The U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and commercial shipping industries all rely heavily on domestically built ships, creating stable demand.

2. High Demand for Skilled Workers

There is a consistent need for engineers, welders, naval architects, marine engineers, and supply chain experts. The shortage of skilled labor in this sector increases job security and career opportunities.

3. Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Jobs in this field often come with competitive pay, union support, and comprehensive benefits packages, especially in government contracts and defense-related projects.

4. Technological Innovation

The U.S. shipbuilding industry increasingly incorporates cutting-edge technologies—such as automation, AI integration, and green propulsion systems—offering exciting opportunities for those interested in innovation.

5. Contribution to Sustainability

Modern ship machinery focuses on reducing emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and meeting international environmental standards. You can be part of global efforts to create greener maritime transport.

6. Career Advancement Opportunities

From entry-level roles to advanced engineering or project management positions, the industry offers clear pathways for career growth, including cross-disciplinary roles in design, logistics, and operations.

7. Strategic Locations with Growth

Shipyards and related facilities are located in key economic and coastal hubs such as Virginia, California, Louisiana, and Mississippi, providing access to strong infrastructure and community support.

Creative Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA for International Candidates

A Sector Shaped by Innovation

Far from being a legacy industry, U.S. shipbuilding today is driven by digital ship design, advanced propulsion systems, and environmentally sustainable engineering. From autonomous vessels to hybrid-electric propulsion, the sector is embracing innovation—and it's looking for global talent to help shape the future of maritime technology.

International Skills in High Demand

American shipyards and marine engineering firms value global expertise. Whether you're a mechanical engineer from India, a naval architect from Europe, or a project manager from Southeast Asia, your skills may align perfectly with the evolving needs of U.S. shipbuilders. These companies actively seek engineers, technicians, welders, designers, and logistics specialists who can bring new perspectives and solve complex challenges.

A Career with Global Impact

Working in shipbuilding means contributing to an industry that moves over 90% of the world’s trade. In the U.S., your work could involve building advanced military vessels, commercial cargo ships, or next-generation cruise liners. Each project shapes how the world connects and operates.

Growth, Stability, and Advancement

U.S.-based shipyards and marine engineering firms often provide long-term career stability, competitive salaries, and pathways to professional development. With many employers supporting visa sponsorship or offering training programs tailored to foreign talent, international candidates are not only welcomed but seen as vital contributors to long-term success.

Strategic Hubs of Opportunity

From the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest, U.S. shipbuilding centers are located in dynamic, growing regions with thriving international communities. These regions offer not only professional opportunities but a high quality of life, educational access, and cultural diversity.

Types of Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery Jobs in USA

1. Engineering and Design Roles

Naval Architect – Designs ships and marine vessels for structural integrity, stability, and performance.
Marine Engineer – Focuses on systems such as propulsion, electrical, HVAC, and steering.
Mechanical Engineer – Designs and maintains ship machinery like engines, turbines, and pumps.
Electrical Engineer – Works on power systems, automation, and onboard electronics.
Systems Engineer – Integrates various subsystems into a cohesive vessel platform.
CAD Designer / Drafter – Uses 2D and 3D modeling tools to produce ship design blueprints.

2. Skilled Trade and Craft Jobs

Welder – Joins metal parts using specialized welding techniques used in marine structures.
Shipfitter – Cuts, shapes, and assembles metal components for hulls and structural frames.
Pipefitter – Installs and repairs piping systems for fuel, water, and hydraulics onboard.
Electrician (Marine) – Installs and maintains electrical wiring and systems on ships.
Machinist – Operates machines to fabricate metal parts used in ship machinery.
Rigger – Handles lifting and moving heavy ship parts using cranes and rigging gear.

3. Project Management and Operations

Project Manager (Shipbuilding) – Oversees planning, scheduling, and coordination of ship construction projects.
Production Supervisor – Manages daily shop-floor operations in shipyards.
Quality Assurance Inspector – Ensures that materials and workmanship meet naval or commercial standards.
Health & Safety Officer – Maintains safety protocols and ensures compliance with OSHA and maritime regulations.

4. Logistics and Supply Chain

Procurement Specialist – Sources parts, equipment, and materials for ship construction.
Inventory Manager – Oversees warehouse and stock control for shipbuilding projects.
Logistics Coordinator – Manages transport of components and finished vessels.

5. Testing and Commissioning

Test Engineer – Runs sea trials and system tests to verify ship performance.
Commissioning Specialist – Ensures systems are operational before handover to the client or Navy.

6. R&D and Innovation

Hydrodynamics Specialist – Works on fluid flow modeling to improve hull performance.
Green Propulsion Engineer – Focuses on electric, hybrid, or alternative-fuel ship technologies.
Autonomous Systems Developer – Develops software and systems for unmanned vessels and onboard automation.

7. Administrative and Support Roles

Technical Writer – Prepares documentation, manuals, and specifications for ship systems.
Contract Administrator – Manages shipbuilding contracts, budgets, and client communications.
Human Resources (Shipyard) – Handles recruitment, training, and compliance for the workforce.

Average Salary of Top 20 Job Profile of Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA

No.	Job Title	Avg. Salary (USD/year)	Equivalent (INR/year)
1	Naval Architect	$95,000	₹7,93,2500
2	Marine Engineer	$92,000	₹7,68,2000
3	Mechanical Engineer	$88,000	₹7,34,8000
4	Electrical Engineer	$86,000	₹7,17,1000
5	Systems Engineer	$90,000	₹7,51,5000
6	CAD Designer / Drafter	$65,000	₹5,42,7500
7	Welder (Marine)	$55,000	₹4,59,2500
8	Shipfitter	$52,000	₹4,34,2000
9	Pipefitter	$54,000	₹4,50,9000
10	Marine Electrician	$58,000	₹4,84,3000
11	Machinist (Shipyard)	$56,000	₹4,67,6000
12	Rigger (Shipyard)	$50,000	₹4,17,5000
13	Project Manager (Shipbuilding)	$110,000	₹9,18,5000
14	Production Supervisor	$78,000	₹6,51,3000
15	QA/QC Inspector	$70,000	₹5,84,5000
16	Safety Officer	$72,000	₹6,01,2000
17	Procurement Specialist	$68,000	₹5,68,3000
18	Logistics Coordinator	$60,000	₹5,01,0000
19	Test Engineer	$85,000	₹7,09,7500
20	Technical Writer (Marine)	$66,000	₹5,51,1000

Job Eligibility to Work in Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA for International Job Applicants.

Category	Eligibility Criteria
Education	Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Marine, Electrical, Naval Architecture) or related technical fields. Trade certifications for skilled roles (welding, fitting, etc.).
Work Experience	1–5 years for entry/mid-level roles; 5–10+ years for senior, technical, or project leadership positions.
Technical Skills	Proficiency in CAD tools, marine systems, welding techniques, ship design software, automation tools, or machinery maintenance depending on the role.
Certifications	AWS (for welders), STCW, OSHA training, PMP (for managers), PE license (for engineers) may be preferred or required.
Language Proficiency	Strong command of English (verbal and written); TOEFL/IELTS may be required for some positions.
Work Authorization	Valid U.S. work visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, TN, or Employment-based Green Card). Some roles (especially defense-related) require U.S. citizenship or security clearance.
Sponsorship Availability	Some U.S. shipyards and marine engineering firms offer visa sponsorship for highly skilled candidates (especially engineers, naval architects).
Background Checks	Clean criminal record and professional background verification are typically required.
Medical & Physical Fitness	For shipyard or hands-on roles, candidates must meet health and safety standards for physical labor, including medical exams.
Security Clearance	Mandatory for jobs in defense shipbuilding (e.g., Navy projects); usually requires U.S. citizenship. Not applicable to commercial shipbuilding roles.
Union Membership (if applicable)	Some trades (e.g., welders, electricians) may require union membership or willingness to join a union upon employment.

General Roles and Responsibilities in Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery Jobs in USA with 20 Job Profiles

No.	Job Title	General Roles and Responsibilities
1	Naval Architect	Design ship structures, assess stability, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic performance.
2	Marine Engineer	Develop and maintain onboard systems like propulsion, engines, HVAC, and fuel systems.
3	Mechanical Engineer	Design, test, and service ship machinery including pumps, turbines, and hydraulic systems.
4	Electrical Engineer	Handle wiring, power systems, automation, and onboard electrical equipment.
5	Systems Engineer	Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software systems across the vessel's design.
6	CAD Designer / Drafter	Create technical drawings and 3D models using CAD software for ship design and parts.
7	Project Manager (Shipbuilding)	Oversee shipbuilding project scope, cost, schedule, and cross-functional coordination.
8	Production Supervisor	Manage daily shipyard operations, crew assignments, and quality control processes.
9	QA/QC Inspector	Inspect components and systems for compliance with engineering standards and naval specs.
10	Safety Officer	Enforce health and safety regulations; conduct audits and training for workplace safety.
11	Welder	Perform precision welding to assemble ship hulls, frames, and mechanical parts.
12	Shipfitter	Cut, shape, and assemble metal components to build ship frames and sections.
13	Pipefitter	Install, test, and maintain shipboard piping systems (fuel, water, air).
14	Marine Electrician	Install and troubleshoot electrical systems and equipment aboard vessels.
15	Machinist	Operate tools and machines to fabricate and modify metal ship components.
16	Rigger	Set up rigging equipment and safely lift heavy ship components during assembly.
17	Procurement Specialist	Source parts, materials, and machinery; manage supplier relationships and purchase orders.
18	Logistics Coordinator	Plan and track movement of materials, tools, and finished components across the shipyard.
19	Test Engineer	Conduct sea trials, evaluate system performance, and troubleshoot onboard technologies.
20	Technical Writer	Create manuals, safety documentation, technical instructions, and compliance reports.

General Job Eligibility to work in Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA with 20 Job Profiles

No.	Job Title	Education Required	Experience Level	Visa / Citizenship Requirement
1	Naval Architect	Bachelor's in Naval Architecture / Marine Eng.	2–5 years	H-1B possible; citizenship may be required for defense
2	Marine Engineer	Bachelor's in Marine / Mechanical Eng.	2–5 years	H-1B eligible; defense jobs may require citizenship
3	Mechanical Engineer	Bachelor's in Mechanical Eng.	1–5 years	H-1B eligible
4	Electrical Engineer	Bachelor's in Electrical Eng.	1–5 years	H-1B eligible; security clearance for defense roles
5	Systems Engineer	Bachelor's in Systems / Electrical Eng.	3–6 years	H-1B eligible; clearance may be needed for federal work
6	CAD Designer / Drafter	Associate/Bachelor’s + CAD Certification	1–3 years	H-1B limited; L-1 or TN more common
7	Project Manager	Bachelor's + PMP preferred	5–10 years	H-1B or Green Card; U.S. citizen preferred in defense
8	Production Supervisor	Associate/Bachelor’s in Engineering/Tech	3–5 years	H-1B may apply; U.S. citizen preferred in defense
9	QA/QC Inspector	Associate or Bachelor’s + QA Cert.	2–4 years	H-1B possible
10	Safety Officer	Bachelor's + OSHA Certifications	2–5 years	H-1B possible; some require U.S. work authorization
11	Welder	High School + Welding Certification (AWS)	2–5 years	Typically not H-1B; H-2B seasonal visa possible
12	Shipfitter	High School + Trade Certificate	2–4 years	H-2B eligible; not common via H-1B
13	Pipefitter	High School + Apprenticeship/Trade Cert.	2–4 years	H-2B eligible; some union-based restrictions
14	Marine Electrician	High School + Electrician License	2–5 years	H-2B or trade visa; limited H-1B use
15	Machinist	High School + Technical Training	2–5 years	H-2B or L-1 (intra-company transfer)
16	Rigger	High School + Rigging Certification	1–3 years	H-2B eligible; defense roles require U.S. citizenship
17	Procurement Specialist	Bachelor's in Supply Chain / Business	2–4 years	H-1B eligible
18	Logistics Coordinator	Bachelor's in Logistics / Business	2–3 years	H-1B possible; no clearance usually required
19	Test Engineer	Bachelor’s in Engineering	2–5 years	H-1B eligible; may need clearance for defense
20	Technical Writer	Bachelor's in English / Engineering / Comm.	2–4 years	H-1B eligible; must meet language and tech documentation skills

Experience Required to work in Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery in USA

Job Category	Job Roles	Experience Required
Entry-Level Roles	Junior Engineer, Assistant Drafter, Apprentice Welder, Trainee Pipefitter	0–2 years (plus relevant education or certification)
Skilled Trades	Welder, Shipfitter, Pipefitter, Marine Electrician, Rigger, Machinist	2–5 years in trade + certification or apprenticeship
Engineering Roles	Mechanical Engineer, Marine Engineer, Electrical Engineer, CAD Designer	2–5 years in relevant industry experience
Design & Architecture	Naval Architect, Structural Designer	3–6 years (design tools + ship structure experience)
Project & Site Mgmt.	Production Supervisor, Project Engineer, Project Manager	5–10 years + technical and leadership experience
Quality & Safety	QA/QC Inspector, Safety Officer, Compliance Specialist	3–5 years + certifications (OSHA, ISO, etc.)
Testing & Commissioning	Test Engineer, Commissioning Engineer	3–6 years in marine/ship systems or field testing
R&D / Technical	Systems Engineer, Green Propulsion Engineer, Hydrodynamics Specialist	4–8 years + domain-specific expertise
Supply Chain & Admin	Procurement Specialist, Logistics Coordinator, Technical Writer	2–4 years in related role + industry knowledge
Senior/Leadership	Senior Naval Architect, Chief Engineer, Program Manager	10–15+ years + strategic/project leadership

Top Hiring Companies in USA of International Candidates in Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery

Company Name	Industry Role	Visa Sponsorship	Locations
General Dynamics NASSCO	Major shipbuilder for Navy & commercial vessels	Yes (limited, mostly engineers)	California, Virginia
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)	Largest U.S. military shipbuilder	Rare (mostly for U.S. citizens)	Virginia, Mississippi
Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG)	Commercial & naval shipbuilding (U.S. subsidiary)	Yes (engineers, naval architects)	Wisconsin
Bollinger Shipyards	Naval and commercial shipbuilding	Rare (focus on U.S. workers)	Louisiana
Austal USA	Builds Navy ships (LCS, EPF)	Rare (defense contracts)	Alabama
ABB Marine & Ports (USA)	Ship automation and propulsion systems	Yes (technical roles)	Florida, Texas, California
Wärtsilä North America	Ship engines, energy systems, green technologies	Yes (frequent H-1B sponsor)	Texas, Washington, Florida
MAN Energy Solutions USA	Marine propulsion and engine systems	Yes (engineers, technicians)	New Jersey, Wisconsin
Rolls-Royce Naval Marine	Ship propulsion and automation	Yes (engineering roles)	Indiana, Virginia
Kongsberg Maritime (USA)	Ship control, navigation, and automation systems	Yes (software and marine systems)	Massachusetts, Texas, Washington
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore	Classification, marine compliance	Yes (technical inspectors)	Nationwide
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)	Ship classification & engineering consultancy	Yes (international engineers)	Texas (HQ), global ports
Siemens Marine Solutions USA	Electrical systems, automation for marine vessels	Yes (frequent sponsor)	California, Georgia
GE Marine (a division of GE Power)	Ship gas turbines and propulsion technology	Yes (high-tech roles)	Ohio, New York
Technip Energies USA	Offshore/marine engineering and EPC services	Yes (project engineers, drafters)	Texas, Louisiana
Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp.	Naval nuclear propulsion systems	U.S. citizenship preferred	New York, Pennsylvania
L3Harris Technologies	Naval systems and shipboard electronics	Rare (mostly U.S. citizens)	Nationwide (defense focus)
Bath Iron Works (a GD Company)	Navy shipbuilding (Arleigh Burke class)	U.S. citizenship required	Maine
Crowley Maritime Corporation	Marine logistics and vessel operations	Yes (shore-side engineering roles)	Florida, Alaska
MHI-MME (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America)	Marine machinery and engine systems	Yes (Japanese expats, engineers)	California, Texas