Shipyard Support Engineering Student/Co-op- Fall 2026
Job Description
This student role provides valuable hands‑on experience within the Production Engineering team at the Halifax Shipyard, offering insight into what a future career at Irving Shipbuilding may look like.
Production Engineering plays a key role in ship construction by turning design intent into practical, efficient build plans. The team focuses on creating production‑ready designs, developing build sequences, and ensuring full integration with planning, procurement, and production teams to support safe, high‑quality, and cost‑effective construction. This role will help develop lift plans, jigs, fixtures, and temporary service plans to support activities.
Irving Shipbuilding is proud to support their student hires and will pay the fees associated with your co-op up to $1000.
- Support team members with development of PE (Production Engineering) deliverables required to support construction and changes that arise during the build.
- Develop jigs, fixtures, and tooling designs for unit builds, equipment installations, temporary support, and other shipbuilding operations.
- Develop temporary services plans for scaffolding, access, ventilation, temporary power/lighting to support build strategy following modern shipbuilding methods.
- Support development of unit construction methods / sequences utilizing the 3D model and assembly hierarchy.
- Carry out time studies of various work processes and assessment of bill of material or production scope of work to support refinement of Production norms.
- Prepare 3D models, extract fabrication drawings, and prepare work instructions for the production trades.
- Support NC data team with nesting of plates and profiles, completing material / geometry take-offs from drawings, and testing machine cutting accuracy.
- Currently enrolled in a 4-year Engineering degree program.
- 0-2 years’ experience.
- General awareness of shipyard disciplines (hull structure, ship arrangements, ship piping systems, propulsion, HVAC, electrical, mechanical, producibility, manufacturing).
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, openness to learning.
- Read blueprints, navigate within a 3D model of the ship and production information.
- Previous experience in AutoCAD (2D/3D) preferred.
- Interest in shipbuilding, defense, or marine industry and a desire to join an exciting, fast-paced organization.
- Skilled in organizing and managing a variety of tasks with varying priorities and is a fast learner and effective problem solver.
Due to the nature of work Irving Shipbuilding does, all successful applicants must meet requirements for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Canadian Government Security clearance, and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Please note this position requires a full-time, in-office presence.