Structural Fitters

HTI is hiring Structural Fitters to support a premier maritime manufacturing client in the Charleston, SC area. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced shipyard and heavy industrial fitters to work on large-scale vessel construction projects in a highly technical, safety-focused environment. Candidates with prior shipyard fitting experience and strong blueprint reading skills are highly encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

• Lay out, fit, align, and assemble structural steel components according to engineering drawings and specifications.
• Read, interpret, and work from digital blueprints, fabrication drawings, and work instructions.
• Identify parts and components using electronic drawings and accurately fit materials to specification.
• Measure, mark, and prepare structural materials using tape measures, layout tools, and precision measuring instruments.
• Perform fitting operations including grinding, drilling, reaming, countersinking, deburring, and straightening.
• Tack weld (stick weld) components into position prior to final welding.
• Verify proper alignment, dimensions, and tolerances before weld-out.
• Repair or rework components as needed to meet quality standards.
• Conduct in-process quality inspections to ensure work meets engineering specifications.
• Safely operate fabrication tools and equipment while following all company safety and quality standards.
• Work collaboratively with welders and other skilled trades to complete structural assemblies.

What We're Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1–3 years of structural fitting experience, preferably in a shipyard, marine, heavy fabrication, or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Ability to confidently read and interpret fabrication blueprints and digital drawings.
• Comfortable navigating electronic drawing systems and identifying structural components from prints.
• Strong understanding of structural layout, fit-up, and dimensional tolerances.
• Basic construction math skills and proficiency using tape measures and precision measuring tools.
• Experience performing stick welding (tack welding) to secure components prior to final weld-out.
• Ability to use grinders, drills, layout tools, and other fabrication equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Candidates with shipyard, vessel construction, or marine fabrication experience are strongly preferred.

Schedule

• Initial training will be conducted on day shift.
• Candidates must be flexible to work either:
  • Day Shift: 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Evening Shift: 3:00 PM – 2:30 AM
• Overtime is regularly available and expected as production demands require.

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Night shift premium available.
• Overtime paid at time and one-half.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Long-term career opportunities supporting major maritime manufacturing projects.

Work Environment
This position supports large-scale shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing operations. Team members work with structural steel and heavy assemblies in an industrial environment around cranes, fabrication equipment, and welding operations. Candidates should be comfortable working in various indoor and outdoor conditions while meeting all safety, quality, and security requirements.
Ideal Candidates Have Experience With

• Structural fitting in a shipyard or marine environment
• Heavy steel fabrication
• Blueprint reading and digital drawing interpretation
• Structural layout and fit-up
• Stick (SMAW) tack welding
• Precision measuring and layout tools
• Vessel construction or repair
• Heavy industrial manufacturing
• Fabrication and assembly of large structural components