Maritime Carpentry & Outfitting Technician

Do you want your craftsmanship to move people, supplies, and first responders across the water? At Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, WA, we’ve been building advanced vessels—from tugs and ferries to fireboats, fishing vessels, barges, and dinner boats—since 1964.

Is this you?

• Do you thrive on interpreting drawings and turning them into precise structures?
• Can you install and commission HVAC systems, fabricating ductwork that fits perfectly the first time?
• Are you equally comfortable trimming fine interiors and forming sheet metal components?
• Do you enjoy teaming up to solve layout and fit-up puzzles under real-world constraints?

What you’ll tackle

• Build and fit wood and sheet metal elements to blueprints during all phases of construction and rebuilds.
• Perform across production areas: panel line, fabrication shop, modular jigs, and final assembly.
• Install, repair, and remove HVAC systems; fabricate and modify vent ducting; join components via rivets, bolts, flanges, and lap joints.
• Study and apply information from drawings, sketches, specs, manuals, and sample parts to determine dimensions, tolerances, sequences, and setups.
• Measure, mark, and scribe layouts on metals, plastics, and laminates onboard.
• Use carpentry and metalworking tools—grinders, drills, rivet guns, calipers, scribes, combination squares—and forming machines including shears, band saws, rollers, presses, and brakes.
• Perform minor welding and tacking (MIG and Arc).
• Maintain safe practices, housekeeping, and operate scissor and boom lifts correctly.
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally; collaborate to adapt plans and solve problems.

What you bring

• High school diploma or equivalent; vocational background welcome.
• Basic mathematics and blueprint-reading knowledge.
• Familiarity with basic hand and power tools.
• Journeyman candidates: 3+ years as a carpenter, joiner, or outfitter.
• Experience in shipbuilding/marine environments.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices; comfortable around heavy machinery.
• Willing and able to work overtime when required.
• Physical readiness: lift/carry up to 50 lbs; work up to 60 ft high; enter confined spaces with a respirator; function in tight, awkward spaces.
• Effective verbal communicator and dependable team player.
• Entry-level pathway: willingness to learn and attend training.

Nice to have

• Construction or shipyard experience (especially beneficial for entry-level applicants).

Toolbox of skills

• Woodworking; framing; finish and rough carpentry; millwork; joinery; cabinet installation; marine carpentry
• Outfitting; ship building; ship repair
• Layout and fit-up; field measurements; precision measurement and inspection
• Blueprint reading; shop math skills; excellent communication
• Equipment troubleshooting; visual inspection aids
• Tape measure reading
• Forklift licensed
• Proficient with hand tools

Where your work shows up

From pilot houses and cabins to mechanical spaces and ventilation trunks, your fit and finish help deliver vessels that communities rely on every day.

Compliance

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders is a drug free workplace, and all applicants are subject to a pre-employment drug screen and a background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All employment decisions at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, medical history, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics