Why Work at BIW

Make a big career move – and still get the little things that make life good.

Doubling Point Lighthouse
If you’re looking for a career move that will challenge you and stretch your skills — in a location that offers real quality of life — General Dynamics Bath Iron Works may be the place for you.

We’re shipbuilders — and have been since 1884. Here on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, our tools and processes have changed over the years. Today we’re part of General Dynamics, a market leader in aerospace, land and naval vehicles, shipbuilding and marine systems, and mission-critical IT. General Dynamics employs about 92,000 people and offers a number of opportunities worldwide.

Though we’ve made advancements, many important things are still the same. We work as a single team, with a fierce focus on being the very best. Our people are our most important asset. No matter which position you’re in, you’re a critical part of the big picture — building the most sophisticated surface ships in the world today. We’re not modest about it. When people say “Bath built is best built,” we smile and push ourselves just a little bit harder.

But we recognize that life is not just about work. All of us devote time to families, friends, interests and activities. And what a great place Maine is for all of that! The state is well-known for its natural beauty and four-season outdoor fun — skiing, biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. Bath itself is an historic waterfront city with strong ties to shipbuilding and seafaring traditions. The area is community- and family-oriented, and old-fashioned Yankee values are still respected. It’s a safe, friendly place to live with plenty to see and do right outside your door. Yet you’re never isolated. It’s a 45-minute drive to Portland — two and a half hours to Boston. And you can easily fly from Portland International Jetport, which is served by many major airlines.

Build Your Career With Us

EngineersOur employment options present a wide range of opportunities in diverse fields, from accounting to engineering to pipefitting to design and everything in between.

Analysts, accountants, and supply chain managers deal with performance data and trends, labor budgeting, material cost control, inventory management, vendor negotiation, accounts payable, payroll, and accounting. HR professionals fill a variety of roles from worker recruitment to employee training and development. Our design, mechanical, and electrical engineers use the very latest computer technology and processes, including systems most manufacturers simply don’t have. Other engineers are out in the yard, overseeing the translation from plan to steel or working on material or labor efficiencies. Additional professional opportunities include jobs in quality assurance, communications, contracts, finance, health, procurement, and project management.

Then there are the skilled jobs our name implies (though we work more with steel than iron these days!). We employ hands-on professionals in metal fabrication, pipefitting, welding, shipfitting, electrical, plumbing, and other trades. We even offer four-year employment/learning programs where you can earn an Associate’s Degree with an Apprenticeship in Design or Manufacturing.

Be Part of Something Important

No matter which area of BIW you work in, we can promise this: you’ll feel a tremendous sense of pride and ownership every time one of “your” ships is delivered and sails down the Kennebec River with her first crew.

ShipfittersYou can also feel pride in working for a company that is recognized the world over for its achievement and capabilities. BIW is renowned for its decades of destroyer building: these ships now form the backbone of the US Navy, projecting power on seas worldwide and participating in ballistic missile defense.

To see how we helped shape history try putting General Dynamics Bath Iron Works into the Google search bar, or see our Legacy Vault.

Help Us Write a New Page in History

We’re proud of our heritage, but it’s the future that matters. We’re excited to build on our current capabilities and technology. BIW is a pioneer in modular construction techniques and is the most sophisticated US builder of surface combatants — the United States Navy being our principal customer. Because of this, we typically have three ships at some stage of construction in the yard, at differing stages of completion.

Our principal program has been building the DDG 51 (Arleigh Burke class) AEGIS guided missile destroyers. These freedom fighters represent the Navy’s most successful shipbuilding program. You’ll know one when you see it — and we think you’ll be awed by the sheer size and sophistication of the ships. They are approximately 500 feet long and weigh in at up to 9,500 tons. Each carries a crew of over 300.

Check out our available positions today!

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