Maritime manufacturing combines stability and great pay with future-forward tech and growth potential.
WHAT KIND OF careers ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
Careers in maritime manufacturing encompass everything from design and production to the assembly of various naval vessels and their components.
Additive manufacturing
For the creators
Use next-gen tools to 3D print parts that are assembled into incredible defense platforms.
Cnc machining
For the shapers
Use advanced technology to shape everyday materials into crucial components.
Non-destructive testing
For the experimenters
Use precise instruments to ensure that every component is of the highest quality and safe for service.
Quality assurance
For the creators
Use your knack for numbers and keen eye to ensure quality and spot mistakes.
Welding
For the makers
Use your torch to forge impenetrable bonds and piece together parts, systems and platforms.
Non-Destructive Testing
Retail Worker
TOOLKIT
Day
The career you choose now will inform what you'll be doing every day for the next several decades (no pressure). Let's take a look at a typical day at each job to see how you might spend your time.
The night crew didn't do ANY folding last night. The store is a mess.
I spent my morning doing tests on this:
Are you kidding me? I'm folding sweaters and you're doing THAT?!
Today we were working with ultrasonic radar technology to look for hairline cracks in the hull that could sink a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier. We're the last line of defense to stop that from happening ... these really experienced techs showed us everything we need to know. This job should come with an action movie soundtrack.
That's awesome. I've also done a cool thing:
Seriously don't know how you do it. 😴
Do you have an office? What's it like?
Wow. My "office" is basically a storage closet.
What? Your office doesn't have ultrasonic testing equipment? 😂
Nope, but it does have jeans that seem to magically unfold themselves.
BLINK TWICE IF YOU NEED ME TO SAVE YOU.
rights
Let's face it. Some careers come with more of the intangible "it factor" than others. When someone asks you what you do for a living, how will you answer?
When I pass a test, lives are saved.
I can fold shirts faster than anybody in the men's department.
I use acoustic emission testing to "hear" microscopic cracks in military vessels.
I help customers find items in their size and recommend items to create outfits. I'm basically a celebrity stylist.
I keep entire multibillion-dollar fleets afloat.
I'm pretty legendary at pushing merch during the holiday season.
What will your career trajectory look like? Let’s compare paths to see what your future could hold.
JANUARY 2025
Start Expedited Training
I could be done with training in just one month? That's like an instant career.
FEBRUARY 2025
Grow My Skillset
Learn to inspect parts, components and assemblies, write NDT procedures and techniques, and interpret technical engineering requirements.
MARCH 2025
Pay Training Tuition
FREE
Cross this one off the list; looks like training doesn't have to cost me anything thanks to the ATDM program.
MAY 2025
Get My First Paycheck
Up to $66K/year
Wow, first paycheck is more than my older brother has been making for years. 😎💰
JANUARY 2030
Mastering My NDT Technician Job
Up to $81K/year
Got my certifications in radiographic and ultrasonic testing and am honing my understanding of continuous improvement methodologies.
JANUARY 2035
Move Up to Senior NDT Technician
Up to $95K/year
I find the smallest imperfections in vessels and equipment and take the necessary steps to keep everything working flawlessly.
JANUARY 2025
Look for a Job
I'm applying to every online retail posting I can find. So far, no one has gotten back to me. 😕
FEBRUARY 2025
Get First Interview
The store manager said I didn't have enough experience for the entry-level job. Er, isn't that what "entry-level" means?
MARCH 2025
Land My First Job
Finally! I got a shift at a clothing store ... they said I start in a month. 😬
MAY 2025
Get My First Paycheck
Up to $33K/year
Cha-ching! First paycheck is ... not stretching as far as I thought.
JANUARY 2030
Still a Retail Sales Associate
Up to $47K/year
I greet customers, fold and display garments, and label merchandise. Wheee!
JANUARY 2035
Become a Store Supervisor
Up to $76K/year
I train all associates on store policies and procedures. Amazon is still killing us and my feet hurt most days, but that's the business!
Your journey starts here
Everyone’s path is different; it’s about finding what’s right for you. Some paths include include greeting customers and straightening socks. Some include using cutting-edge technology to inspect parts and vessels to ensure quality performance and protection for those who safeguard our nation.
What will you choose?
Sources
Training Length: 1 month - 1 year
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm, Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Quality Control Inspectors," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/production/quality-control-inspectors.htm#tab-4. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Training Cost: FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $73K
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Training Length: 10 hours
"Wanna Fix Stores? Empirical Evidence Of What You Might Be Missing," Retail Systems Research, www.rsrresearch.com/research/wanna-fix-stores-empirical-evidence-of-what-you-might-be-missing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Training Cost: N/A
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-4. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Average Salary: $31K
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-5. Accessed 3 May 2024.
Sources
Expedited Training
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Training Tuition, FREE
“About ATDM.” ATDM, The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, www.atdm.org/about-atdm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
First Paycheck, Up to $66K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
NDT Technician Job, Up to $81K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Senior NDT Technician, Up to $95K/year
"Salary Assessor®: Nondestructive Testing Technician," ERI Economic Research Institute, Inc., www.erieri.com/salaryassessor. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
First Paycheck, Up to $33K/year
2022 Modeled Wage Estimates, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24 Aug. 2023, www.bls.gov/mwe/tables.htm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Retail Sales Associate, Up to $47K/year
"Occupational Outlook Handbook: Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-5. Accessed 3 May 2024.
Store Supervisor, Up to $76K/year
"Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: 41-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers," U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes411011.htm Accessed 3 May 2024.