Pipefitter Apprentice Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

About the Role

As a Pipe Fitter / Welder, you'll fabricate, fit, and install the piping systems that carry liquids and gases throughout maritime structures at pressures ranging from vacuum to thousands of PSI. There's no room for shortcuts, and no tolerance for "close enough." You'll read drawings, cut and bend pipe, fit joints to tight tolerances, and weld or braze them as required. The systems you build will operate submerged, under pressure, for decades.

What You'll Do
Pipe Fitting

• Interpret engineering drawings, isometrics, P&IDs, and weld procedure specifications to fabricate and install piping systems
• Measure, cut, bevel, bend, and fit pipe and tubing, from small-bore instrument tubing to large-diameter piping
• Fit-up welded joints, silver-brazed joints, and mechanically fastened connections to tight tolerances
• Work across systems including hydraulic, lube oil, high- and low-pressure air, seawater, chilled water, potable water, and steam
• Install hangers, supports, and penetration pieces per drawing and spec
• Perform hydrostatic, flood, and pneumatic testing and build test boundaries, monitor gauges, and identify leaks

Welding

• Perform NAVSEA-qualified welds on pipe and tube in all positions (1G-6G) using GTAW (TIG), SMAW (stick), or GMAW (MIG) processes as required
• Weld carbon steel, stainless steel, copper-nickel, and other alloys per applicable weld procedures
• Maintain weld certifications and pass re-qualification testing on schedule
• Perform silver brazing on piping joints per applicable procedures
• Prep joints (cleaning, purging, fit-up) to ensure radiographic- and ultrasonic-quality welds

Quality & Compliance

• Groom completed systems and prepare for company, customer, and government inspections
• Document all work: weld maps, joint logs, NDE records, material traceability
• Identify and disposition non-conformances through proper channels
• Maintain compliance with NAVSEA, SUBSAFE, Level I, and SOC requirements as applicable

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 5+ years of pipefitting, welding, or related mechanical trade experience
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, isometrics, P&IDs, and weld procedure specifications
• Proficiency in GTAW (TIG) welding on pipe in multiple positions
• Experience with fit-up to tight tolerances on welded and brazed joints
• Ability to pass weld qualification testing to applicable certifications
• Willing to work any shift, overtime, and in all shop/field environments
• U.S. Person status (ITAR requirement)

Preferred Qualifications

• NAVSEA or nuclear welding certifications (current or prior)
• Experience with SUBSAFE, Level I, or SOC-controlled piping systems
• Military shipbuilding, submarine construction, or naval shipyard experience
• Completion of apprenticeship, vocational program, or UA journeyman pipefitter certification
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-1688, NAVSEA Technical Publications, or AWS D1.1/D1.6
• Experience welding copper-nickel (CuNi), Monel, and other naval alloys
• Brazing certifications (AWS C3.4 or equivalent)
• Ability to obtain and maintain nuclear qualifications
• Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above)

Physical Requirements

• Lift up to 50 lbs regularly and 75 lbs occasionally
• Climb, crawl, kneel, stoop, and work in confined and restricted spaces for extended periods
• Work in environments with variable temperatures, fumes, noise, and wet/oily conditions
• Maintain color vision adequate for weld inspection and system identification
• Stand and work in welding positions (overhead, vertical, horizontal) for full shifts