Apprentice Shipyard Painter Jobs in Riverside, CA

The Maritime Manufacturing Technology team is responsible for rapidly developing and implementing manufacturing technologies and processes for cutting-edge defense hardware, including deployable static and moving surface, undersea and sea to air vehicles and scaling these products in our new manufacturing facilities. This team is building the factory of the future to deliver next-generation capabilities to our warfighters, and you will be a critical part of ensuring our products are flawless.

We are looking for an HVAC/R Technician to join our rapidly growing team in Santa Ana, CA. In this role you will assemble, install, troubleshoot, test, commission, and service the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems that go inside maritime vessels including chilled water, DX systems, etc. Every system you build operates in a high-reliability environment where failure means degraded habitability or mission capability. You'll also support facility HVAC systems as needed, keeping the production environment controlled for both worker safety and product quality.

• Assemble and install equipment per engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Fabricate, braze, and install refrigerant piping.
• Recover, recycle, evacuate, and charge refrigerant systems per EPA requirements and standards.
• Conduct functional testing.
• Tune completed systems and prepare for company, customer, and government inspections.
• Support installation, commissioning, and maintenance of production facility HVAC systems: rooftop units, splits, make-up air units, exhaust fans.
• Maintain welding bay fume extraction, mist collection, and paint booth ventilation systems.
• Monitor and maintain controlled-environment areas (temperature/humidity) for sensitive assembly work.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control system faults; return systems to service with minimal production downtime.

• High school diploma, GED, or trade school certificate.
• 4+ years of HVAC service experience in industrial, marine, shipyard, or heavy commercial environments.
• EPA Section 608 certification (Universal preferred).
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical HVAC systems using diagnostic tools.
• Experience brazing/soldering refrigerant piping (copper and copper alloys).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, P&IDs, and OEM specifications.
• Experience conducting airflow measurements, temperature/humidity checks, and equipment performance tests.
• Familiarity with OSHA safety practices - LOTO, confined space, fall protection, PPE.
• Willing to work any shift and overtime as production requires.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

• HVAC journeyman license or equivalent state certification.
• Completion of apprenticeship, vocational program, or military MOS in HVAC/AC&R (e.g., Navy MM, HT, or equivalent).
• Background in aerospace, defense, or AS9100 / ISO 9001 environments.
• Experience with U.S. Navy or submarine HVAC/AC&R systems.
• Military shipbuilding, shipyard, or naval maintenance experience.
• Knowledge of NAVSEA drawings, specifications, and shipyard practices.
• Brazing/welding certifications for refrigeration piping (AWS or equivalent).
• Experience with BAS/PLC controls (Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Siemens, or similar).
• Experience with test and balancing.
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above).