Shipyard Crane Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Crane Operator

Location: Portsmouth, VA
Pay: $38 to $43/hour (depending on experience)

Job Summary

SiteWorker is seeking an experienced Crane Operator to support shipyard and ship construction operations in Portsmouth, Virginia. This role sits inside an active heavy marine construction environment — lifts are frequently over vessels, dry docks, piers, and active work crews, so precision, communication, and a disciplined safety culture are non-negotiable. The ideal candidate holds current NCCCO certification across multiple crane types, has hands-on Heavy Marine Construction experience, and is comfortable operating in a badged, security-controlled shipyard environment. The Crane Operator performs a variety of skilled mechanical duties involving crane operation, crane safety, rigging coordination, lift planning, and preventive maintenance.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Inspect, maintain, and repair crane and rigging equipment as needed, including pre-shift and post-shift inspections per OSHA and ASME B30 standards.
• Develop and communicate a documented lift plan prior to execution of any critical or non-routine lift.
• Calculate load capacity utilizing crane load charts, capacity indicators, and rigging configurations.
• Lift, position, and place equipment, materials, hull sections, or other large objects at assigned shipyard or pier-side locations.
• Operate mobile, crawler, gantry, or barge-mounted cranes as assigned, adjusting technique for shifting loads, tidal conditions, and vessel proximity.
• Drive trucks/cranes to and from job sites, piers, and other assigned areas within the shipyard.
• Operate crane in a safe and efficient manner, coordinating closely with certified riggers and signal persons.
• Read instructions, work orders, and lift drawings, and interpret them to perform the correct lift.
• Coordinate lift timing and access with shipyard safety officers, trade supervisors, and vessel personnel.
• Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, and lift-plan documentation for compliance and audit purposes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of standard crane hand signals and radio signal protocol (ASME B30.5 / B30.2).
• Ability to read a crane load chart and perform a lift in a safe and efficient manner, accounting for boom angle, radius, and outrigger/counterweight configuration.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate direction with riggers, signal persons, and ground crew during lift execution.
• Working knowledge of rigging hardware, sling angles, and load calculation fundamentals.
• Comfort operating in a marine environment, including lifts over water, near vessels, and on floating or fixed pier structures.
• Familiarity with shipyard safety protocols and controlled-access site procedures.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Current NCCCO certification required. At minimum, Mobile Crane Operator (Core + relevant specialty — Lattice Boom, Telescopic Boom Swing Cab, or Telescopic Boom Fixed Cab).
• Additional NCCCO categories strongly preferred given shipyard duties: Overhead Crane Operator and/or Articulating Crane Operator, depending on equipment assigned.
  NCCCO Rigger Level I certification required; Rigger Level II preferred for complex or critical lifts.
• NCCCO Signal Person certification preferred, or demonstrated proficiency in standard crane signaling.
• 1–2 years' experience operating a crane in a construction environment; Heavy Marine Construction, shipyard, or industrial waterfront experience strongly preferred.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction certification required; OSHA 30-Hour preferred.
• Experience with barge-mounted or floating crane operations is a plus, given tidal and waterway conditions common to shipyard lifts.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card — required for unescorted access to shipyard and waterfront facilities.
• Ability to pass background screening and obtain installation-specific badging/access required for Norfolk Naval Shipyard and other secured shipyard or military installations; candidates should be prepared for a NACI-level or equivalent background check where applicable.
• Valid driver's license required; CDL preferred.
• U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the U.S. required; citizenship may be required for access to certain secured government or military-adjacent worksites.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.
• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and similar structures, including vessel access points.
• Exposure to construction and marine site dangers, including working near water, active vessels, and heavy equipment.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Ability to see and respond to dangerous situations in a fast-moving, multi-trade environment.
• Ability to respond quickly to sounds and signals in noisy shipyard and dockside environments.
• Able to traverse all areas of the jobsite in all types of weather; this may require walking, climbing, reaching, bending, crawling, or stretching, including on piers, decks, and confined vessel spaces.
  

Compensation & Logistics

This is a direct hire position based in Portsmouth, Virginia, paying $80,000–$90,000 annually depending on experience and certification depth. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a TWIC card and any shipyard- or installation-specific access credentials required for the assigned worksite.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a current resume detailing NCCCO certifications (with categories and expiration dates), rigging/signal person credentials, and Heavy Marine Construction or shipyard experience.