Fall Protection Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Please Read entire request to ensure you will qualify before you apply!

Background Check and Drug Screen Required (Hair Folicle Test)

MUST BE A US CITIZEN

RESUME WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETELY UPDATED 

Position Summary

We are seeking experienced First Class Structural/Pipe Welders with a minimum of five (5) years of commercial or naval welding experience to support new construction, overhaul, and repair of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels. Candidates must possess advanced welding skills using both Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) processes and be capable of producing high-quality welds in demanding shipyard environments.

This position requires the successful completion of welding qualification testing and compliance with all required safety and medical qualifications before beginning work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of commercial or naval welding experience
• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Ability to work all shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays as required
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Must successfully pass all required pre-employment screenings and welding qualification testing

Essential Job Duties

• Perform multi-pass fillet and butt welds in all positions using the SMAW process.
• Weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and copper-nickel pipe using SMAW and GTAW processes.
• Perform structural and pipe welding in accordance with shipyard specifications and military standards.
• Complete mirror welding using SMAW and GTAW processes.
• Perform oxygen/propane torch heating operations.
• Interpret welding symbols, blueprints, technical drawings, and work instructions.
• Inspect completed welds using appropriate gauges and measuring tools.
• Maintain quality workmanship while meeting production schedules.
• Follow all shipyard safety procedures and OSHA regulations.
• Work safely in confined spaces, elevated work areas, aboard ships, in modules, on ladders, scaffolding, and staging.

Required Skills

• Advanced multi-pass SMAW welding in all positions
• GTAW (TIG) welding proficiency
• Structural and pipe welding experience
• Experience welding:
  • Carbon Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Copper-Nickel Pipe
• Thin-wall socket welding experience (below 0.187-inch wall thickness)
• Mirror welding capability
• Oxygen/Propane heating torch operation
• Ability to accurately use:
  • Fillet gauges
  • Butt gauges
  • Six-inch scale
• Strong understanding of welding procedures and quality standards
• Familiarity with OSHA regulations applicable to shipbuilding

Required Welding Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in:

• SMAW welding – all positions
• GTAW welding – all positions
• Thin wall socket welding
• Structural welding
• Pipe welding

Required Qualification Testing

Prior to performing production work, candidates must successfully complete qualification testing, including:

• Welders Vision Test
• Visual Inspection of Welds – Level I
• Pre-Heat and Interpass Training
• Fire Watch Computer-Based Training (CBT)
• Torch Safety Written and Practical Evaluation
• Welding Qualification Tests including:
  • 503
  • 502
  • 541
  • 725
  • 506
  • 659
  • 556
  • 650
  • 664
  • 557

The complete qualification process requires approximately 2½ weeks.

Prior to assignment, all welders must have:

• Successfully completed all required qualification tests
• Completed Form 1429
• Current maintenance statement on file with Welding Engineering

Required Safety Training & Medical Qualifications

Prior to assignment, candidates must provide documentation demonstrating completion of the following:

• OSHA Confined Space Training (29 CFR 1915 Subpart B)
• Hazard Communication Training
• Respirator Medical Clearance
• Respirator Fit Testing and Training
• Fall Protection Training
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training
• Hearing Conservation Training
• Audiometric Testing
• Hexavalent Chromium Medical Clearance

Required Personal Protective Equipment

Employees must provide and properly wear OSHA and ANSI-compliant PPE, including:

• White hard hat meeting shipyard requirements
• Full welding helmet
• Restricted space welding helmet
• Flame-resistant welding jacket
• Flame-resistant coveralls
• Welding shield leather bib
• ANSI Z87 safety glasses with side shields
• Hearing protection
• Eight-inch safety boots or leather safety shoes with spats
• Approved body harness and fall protection equipment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, and staging.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and elevated work areas.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, humid, and physically demanding shipyard environments.
• Ability to wear a respirator and other required PPE for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and standing throughout the workday.

Work Environment

Work is performed aboard ships, in dry docks, fabrication shops, and industrial shipyard environments. Employees will routinely work around heavy equipment, confined spaces, elevated work platforms, welding fumes, noise, and varying weather conditions while adhering to strict safety and quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience at a U.S. Navy shipyard
• Current or recent SMAW/GTAW welding certifications
• Experience supporting Navy vessel construction, repair, modernization, or overhaul projects
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and production excellence

Equal Opportunity

RPG is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, criminal history, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, or discharge from military service. RPG provides its services to many clients in their various business sectors who may have physical, mental, pre-employment screening and/ or citizenship requirements. These requirements are driven by contracts and/ or security requirements that RPG is required to adhere to, and which may vary between clients and their respective high-security industries. Misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications or background information is grounds for termination, denial of employment and/ or disqualification from future employment consideration.