Boat Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Rigger - San Diego, CA - Immediately Hiring (1st Shift)

Job Description

• This role sets up, tests, and operates rigging systems to safely lift, move, and position materials and equipment on ships and throughout the shipyard. The rigger coordinates closely with crane operators and forklift drivers, ensuring loads are handled efficiently and safely in both open and confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Rig material to lift, move, and position loads onto ships and around the shipyard in a safe and controlled manner.
• Convey clear instructions to crane operators and forklift drivers using hand signals, loudspeakers, or telephones to indicate where to move, raise, lower, or place equipment.
• Locate, load, and unload materials and equipment on and off ships and in and out of the yard.
• Test and install rigging equipment such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms, and portable davits to ensure they operate safely and correctly.
• Control the movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings and confined spaces, maintaining safety and precision at all times.
• Select appropriate cables, ropes, pulleys, winches, blocks, braces, and cushions based on the weight, distribution, and size of the load to be moved.
• Set up rigging tools and equipment at the job site before work begins and properly store and secure all equipment when tasks are completed.
• Handle and operate winches, grip hoists, pulleys, cables, ropes, mooring lines, and other rigging equipment as required for each job.
• Collaborate with other yard personnel to ensure rigging operations support overall construction and maintenance activities efficiently.
• Follow all safety procedures, guidelines, and best practices related to rigging and material handling in a shipyard environment.

Essential Skills

• 2–5+ years of rigging experience, ideally gained in a shipyard environment.
• Proven knowledge of crane rigging, inside rigging, loft rigging, or bull rigging.
• Hands-on experience working with chain falls, come-alongs, slings, straps, spreader bars, cables, ropes, and hoisting equipment.
• Ability to effectively communicate with crane operators and forklift drivers using standard hand signals and other communication tools.
• Demonstrated ability to control the movement of heavy equipment in narrow openings and confined spaces while maintaining safety.
• Capability to select and configure appropriate rigging gear based on load weight, size, and distribution.
• Flexibility to work all shifts, including third shift, as operational needs require.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a rigger, crane operator, or boatswain’s mate.
• Proficiency in loft rigging or bull rigging.
• NCCER rigging certification or equivalent industry-recognized rigging credential.
• Familiarity with testing and installing rigging equipment such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms, and portable davits.

Why Work Here?

• The shipyard has a long-standing history in a major West Coast industrial corridor and has been designing and building ships since 1960. It offers the opportunity to work on large-scale, complex marine projects in a full-service shipyard environment. Team members join a skilled workforce dedicated to quality, safety, and craftsmanship while contributing to significant new construction programs in a dynamic waterfront setting.

Work Environment

• Work takes place in a large, active shipyard supporting new construction projects. The environment involves both onboard ship and yard-based work, including outdoor and industrial settings with varying weather conditions and confined spaces. You will regularly work around cranes, forklifts, and heavy equipment, using rigging tools such as winches, grip hoists, pulleys, cables, ropes, and mooring lines. Shifts may include days, evenings, nights, and third shift, requiring flexibility to support ongoing operations in a busy marine construction facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $31.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 11, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.