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Submarine Construction Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Welding structural assemblies using GMAW and SMAW during fabrication and installation of submarine construction * Participation in continuous training in traditional, and new welding processes, using ...

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How much do submarine construction jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for submarine construction in the United States is $20.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Submarine Construction vs Submarine Maintenance?

AspectSubmarine ConstructionSubmarine Maintenance
Required CredentialsTechnical certifications, engineering degreesTechnical certifications, engineering or specialized training
Work EnvironmentConstruction yards, shipbuilding facilitiesShipyards, dockyards, onboard submarines
Industry UsageBuilding new submarines from design to launchRepairing, inspecting, and maintaining existing submarines

Submarine Construction involves building new submarines from design to launch, requiring engineering skills and working in shipbuilding facilities. Submarine Maintenance focuses on repairing and maintaining existing submarines, often in shipyards or onboard vessels. Both roles require technical expertise but differ mainly in their focus on new build versus ongoing upkeep.

What company builds submarines?

Several companies build submarines, with the largest being naval contractors like Huntington Ingalls Industries and Naval Group, which produce military submarines. Commercial submarine construction is often handled by specialized shipbuilding firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fincantieri. These companies employ skilled engineers and use advanced manufacturing tools to design and assemble submarines for defense and research purposes.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in submarine construction projects?

Professionals in submarine construction often face challenges such as adhering to strict safety and quality standards, working within confined and complex environments, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, welders, and project managers. Additionally, meeting tight deadlines and adapting to evolving technologies are common, as each submarine project may present unique technical requirements. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential to ensure that all components are built to specification and integrated seamlessly.

What degree do you need to build submarines?

Submarine construction typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering fields such as mechanical, naval, or marine engineering. Relevant skills include knowledge of materials, design, and manufacturing processes, and some positions may require specialized certifications or security clearances depending on the employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Submarine Construction, and why are they important?

To thrive in Submarine Construction, you need expertise in marine engineering, metallurgy, welding, and mechanical systems, often supported by a degree or technical certification in engineering or a related trade. Familiarity with CAD software, non-destructive testing tools, and industry standards like ISO or ASME certifications is typically required. Strong teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for ensuring quality and safety in complex construction environments. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure the integrity, safety, and functionality of submarines, which operate in highly demanding underwater conditions.

How much money do submarine builders make?

Submarine builders typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of certification. Skilled workers such as welders, electricians, and project managers in submarine construction often have higher salaries, especially with specialized training and security clearances.

How much do submarine workers make?

Submarine construction workers typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific roles such as welders, electricians, or pipefitters. Skilled workers with certifications and specialized training tend to earn higher wages, and the job often involves working in shipyards or offshore environments with potential overtime opportunities.

What is submarine construction?

Submarine construction is the process of designing, building, and assembling submarines, which are specialized watercraft capable of operating underwater. This field involves advanced engineering, precision manufacturing, and strict safety standards due to the challenging environments submarines face. Workers in submarine construction may include naval architects, engineers, welders, and technicians who work with materials like steel and advanced composites. The process often takes place in specialized shipyards and can span several years for each vessel. Submarine construction is essential for military defense, scientific research, and underwater exploration.
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What cities are hiring for Submarine Construction jobs? Cities with the most Submarine Construction job openings:
What states have the most Submarine Construction jobs? States with the most job openings for Submarine Construction jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Submarine Construction jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Submarine Construction jobs are:
Infographic showing various Submarine Construction job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,541 per year, or $20.9 per hour.
Submarine Construction Performance Improvement Manager with Security Clearance

Submarine Construction Performance Improvement Manager with Security Clearance

ORBIS INC.

Groton, CT • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

Job Description: The mission of this position is to support the Shipbuilder in delivering new construction submarines per the requirements, on schedule with the requisite quality and safety. This position will drive prompt improvements in SSBN and SSN performance as measured by Earned Value Management System metrics (Budgeted/Targeted Quantity of Work Performed, Actual Quantity of Work Performed, etc.) and by adherence to the Shipbuilder's schedule. Near term objectives are delivery of SSBN 826 and SSN 803 in 2026 and achieving "1 Columbia Class +2 Virginia Class Submarines by 2030". This effort will be accomplished through networking with Shipbuilder engineering, material management, procurement, planning, management, and operations personnel along with daily deck-plate observations and follow-up with the Shipbuilder and other stakeholders. Follow up to include working with the Shipbuilder, and other stakeholders on the root causes for performance challenges and on working to overcome those challenges. The job requires more than 25% time on deck plate, in shops, and in material storage, handling, and transportation sites understanding opportunities and challenges. This position reports to and works for the Transformation Management Office (TMO) within Direct Reporting Portfolio Management (DRPM). In this role, you will:
Identify, Investigate and concisely communicate the scope, status, and impact of any construction related schedule delay or quality issues to both Shipbuilder Leadership, Transformation Management Office and Navy Team Leadership. Conduct and document work effectiveness observation studies to identify process barriers and gaps that impact shipbuilder effectiveness. This includes daily deck plate observations of work in progress, attendance daily at supervisor-to-team morning start up meetings, and turnover meetings across shifts. Develop understanding of root causes for any construction delays or quality issues associated with module construction and outfitting. Areas to address in each root cause analysis include but is not limited to:
• Adequacy of information management process
• Adequacy of material management processes
• Adequacy of Quality Management System processes and adherence by the Shipbuilder and suppliers relied on to support the Shipbuilder Rapidly assess the scope of a construction-impacting technical, supply chain or resource related issues. Liaison with the appropriate cognizant shipbuilder SMEs, government engineering team members, and program office support representatives to lead and drive these issues to resolution. Identify and document barriers including ones with NAVSEA and the Program Office that slow down or do not support module delivery pace and quality in support of submarine construction goal of 2+1 submarine deliveries per year. Work closely with Shipbuilder engineering, production, quality assurance, program office and other relevant departments to resolve technical issues in an expedient manner. Develop, in collaboration with the Shipbuilder, TMO, Navy teammates, and other stakeholders, process improvement recommendations and strategies when documenting Opportunities for Improvement (OFI) identified during observation studies Enhance communication between the Shipbuilder and government on technical issues to shorten timelines necessary to resolve construction-impacting liabilities. Streamline communication channels for routine reporting between stakeholders to reduce delays, improve coordination and maximize shipbuilder labor effectiveness. Proactively develop in collaboration with the Shipbuilder and other stakeholders process improvement plans that result in more timely and efficient resolution of technical, supply chain or resource constraint issues The task of this role requires direct personal engagement with the Shipbuilder and leading a 20+ person team to provide:
1. Daily deck plate presence on SSBN and SSN modules and hulls under construction and test, assessing and influencing resource allocation, progress to targets, and barriers/constraints to required schedule, cost, and other performance objectives.
2. Rapid intervention and engagement with the Shipbuilder to overcome real-time barriers to meet daily objectives.
3. Leadership, management and collaboration of the contribution of the 20+ person team to the Transformation Management Office (TMO). The TMO and 20+ team will consist of analysts and personnel from the Navy, including personnel from the Supervisor of Shipbuilding. 4. Collaborate with the Shipbuilder defining systemic improvements with engineering, planning, operations/production, ship/project management, and supply as issues are manifested on waterfront.
5. Identify, Assess, and support opportunities to improve Shipbuilder management and supervision of deck plate work and supporting organizations and activities. This effort is anticipated to span the typical Range of improvement opportunities, e.g., "just do it" to formal causal analysis with follow-on long-term and short-term corrective actions.
6. Identify, assess, and support opportunities for improving Shipbuilder performance through improving Navy/government support to the build program. Required Skills and Experiences: To be successful in this role you will have:
• An active or current DoD Secret clearance.
• Great teamwork skills. Must be able to work across multiple organizations and build trusted relationships/partnerships
• 20+ years of management experience in ship maintenance and/or ship construction management in a Nuclear Shipyard.
• Ability to communicate with discretion
• Manufacturing, Production, and/or Operations experience.
• Project/Program management experience or similar/related experience desired.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Strong quantitative, analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Ability to facilitate and coordinate efforts with the Shipbuilder, government and non-government stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work well within a time sensitive environment.
• Ability to learn and grow individually, while mentoring junior team members effectively when opportunities are present, building team cohesion and capacity.
• Highly motivated and well organized with strong project management skills and working independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office packages to complete daily tasking; proficient MS Office skillset to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel. • Demonstrate the ability to brief complex technical issues and process barriers with teammates and team leadership.
• Ability to be a team player, work well with others and contribute positively to work/team environment while continually seeking ways to enhance contribution to the team.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment accepting emergent tasking with little to no supervision and/or direction. • Discretion in performing specified work requirements. • Outstanding written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships with a vast team of diverse professionals. • Attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines, as well as work independently and with sufficient knowledge to present projects to senior management. • Ability to travel up to 100% of time to the Groton and Quonset Point locations. Additional strongly desired experience and skills:
• Submarine related experience
• An active NNPI account and CAC • Experience with Navy acquisition and Submarine Programs.
• Experience leading a project and interfacing with an end use customer.
• Knowledge of Program Management, including the acquisition process, the budgeting process and Navy program execution.
• Active-Duty experience serving on a U.S. Navy submarine preferred.
• Experience working in the DoD or DoN environments
• An advanced MS Office skillset to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel. • Experience leading and engaging in weekly meetings with the ship builder and supplier regarding actions and statuses desirable.
• Knowledge of current DoD policies, NAVSEASYSCOM/Team Submarine policies and procedures. Degree Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or Operations Management, or Business Administration are preferred. or
An Associate's Degree and 2 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree or a High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree. Must be a U.S. citizen. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. ORBIS offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary in a professional atmosphere.