INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Welding Engineer Intern - AAT

CompanyAustal USA
LocationDanville
Work ModeOn Site
PostedApril 18, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will assist in drafting and qualifying welding procedures while supporting parameter development for additive manufacturing projects. They will also troubleshoot robotic welding systems and ensure technical documentation complies with military specifications.
Internship Type
part time
Company Size
1089
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →

You'll be redirected to
the company's application page

About The Company
Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA’s facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), and the U.S. Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship, Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ship (T-ATS), Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel, Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programs. Austal USA is also supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 27 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.
About the Role

REPORTS TO: Sr Weld Process Engineer Additive Manufacturing - AAT

SUPERVISES: N/A

Austal USA Advanced Technologies (AT) is a division of Austal USA, a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships.

Austal USA AT works at the forefront to invent, mature, and implement advanced maritime technologies which enhance operational capacities and improve readiness of our defense systems. Austal USA AT operates a technology hub in Charlottesville VA which works to bring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to scale and also oversees operation of the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM COE) located in Danville, VA. The mission of the AM COE is to operationalize additive manufacturing in the submarine industrial base and provide emergent request support to sustain our Nation’s fleet.

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Welding Engineering Intern to join our Additive Manufacturing team. This position offers hands-on experience in production welding processes, procedure development, and quality control. The intern will work alongside senior engineers on real-world projects to support parameter development and material maturity teams. 

  • Procedure Development: Assist in drafting, testing, and qualifying Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR).
  • Quality & Testing: Support testing and reporting of parameter development samples.
  • Production Support: Troubleshoot robotic and automated welding systems.
  • Technical Documentation: Review and update welding documents and ensure compliance with codes and standards (Mil Spec).
  • Project Work: Complete a major assigned project focused on process improvement (Parameter Development for Additive Manufacturing Applications).
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure all activities performed meet company safety requirements. 
  • Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Welding Engineering, or Welding Engineering Technology with an accredited university.
  • Currently maintaining a minimum 2.0 overall grade point average (4.0 scale).
  • Successful completion of Fourth Semester of discipline-specific Engineering Curriculum (latest release date).
  • Basic understanding of welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, FCAW) and metallurgy.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Familiarity with CAD software. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of 2D and 3D CAD design software desirable.
  • Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Must be self-motivated to learn and succeed.
  • Must be able to communicate innovative approaches and ideas to supervisor.
  • Ability to work in a high-paced team-oriented environment.
  • Ability to work in Production environment.
  • Demonstrated project and time management skills.
  • Systematic troubleshooting abilities/root cause analysis.
  • Strong sense of ownership.
  • Must be able to clearly and effectively communicate technical and design issues to external and internal customers.
  • Strong written and communication skills required.
  • Previous experience in a manufacturing or metal fabrication environment preferred.
  • Familiarity with robotic welding programming preferred.
  • Active participation in organizations like the American Welding Society (AWS) preferred. 

TOOLS:

  • Computer – applicable software.

DIRECTION EXERCISED:

  • As required by immediate supervisory personnel.

DISCRETION EXERCISED:

  • N/A

LIASES WITH:

  • Operation, Engineers, Technicians, Production Personnel, other Austal departmental personnel (as directed).

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

  • The ability to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance may be required if deemed necessary in the scope of responsibilities.
  • Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:
    • 18 years of age or older at time of application
    • Able to provide proof of US Person Status
    • No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
    • No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
    • Willing to submit to a drug screen
    • Willing to submit to a background check

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters whole performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

SAFETY:

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks. 

Austal USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Company policy prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.  This Policy applies to recruiting, hiring, promotions, demotions, transfers, compensation, raises, benefits, training, facilities, discipline, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. 

Key Skills
Welding engineeringAdditive manufacturingProcedure qualification recordsWelding procedure specificationsRobotic weldingAutomated weldingMetallurgyCAD software2D design3D designBlueprint readingRoot cause analysisTechnical documentationQuality controlMS Office
Categories
EngineeringManufacturingTechnologySecurity & Safety