Shaquille Elijah Ford
Chesapeake,US
Summary
Results-driven Welder Mechanic with 6+ years of shipyard experience on submarines and surface ships. Trusted to perform complex welds in confined spaces, meet NDT standards, and support verbatim compliance and QA processes. Recognized for mentoring peers, cross-shop teamwork, and delivering first-time quality under schedule pressure.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Welder Mechanic
Naval Sea Systems Command
Portsmouth, US
08.2022 - Current
- Perform SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW welding on surface ships and submarines
- Weld in confined spaces (tanks/voids) and complex joint configurations using mirrors
- Maintain pipe qualifications; perform work meeting radiographic & NDT standards (VT, PT, MT)
- Read and interpret blueprints, welding symbols, TGIs, SOPs, QA-20B, WAFs, and JPS
- Support pre-job briefs, ship checks, and verbatim compliance for safety and quality
- Collaborate across shops to deliver first-time quality and meet schedule/cost goals
- Maintain welding equipment to reduce downtime and improve reliability
- Mentor junior welders on technique, documentation, and job setup
- Honors Graduate, Apprentice Program
Welder Apprentice
Naval Sea Systems Command
Portsmouth, US
08.2018 - 08.2022
- Completed 4-year welding apprenticeship on nuclear submarines and surface ships
- Performed SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW in all positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead)
- Set and adjusted polarity, voltage, amperage, and wire feed per specifications
- Interpreted SUBSAFE requirements and shipyard quality standards
- Set up and operated manual, semi-automatic, and automatic welding equipment
- Performed oxyfuel and plasma cutting operations
- Supported first-time quality, cost performance, and safe work practices
Education
High school diploma or equivalent -
Deep Creek High School
Chesapeake, VATechnical or occupational certificate - Welding
Tidewater Community College
Portsmouth, VASome college (no degree) - Engineering, General Studies
Tidewater Community College
Portsmouth, VASkills
- SMAW, GMAW, GTAW Welding
- Pipe Welding (All Positions)
- Confined Space Welding (Tanks/Voids)
- Blueprint & Welding Symbol Reading
- Oxyfuel & Plasma Cutting
- NDT-Compliant Welding (VT, PT, MT)
- SUBSAFE Awareness
- SUBSAFE Documentation Compliance
- Verbatim Compliance / QA Documentation
- Welding Equipment Setup & Maintenance
- Fit-Up, Joint Prep & Repair Fabrication
- Safety Compliance (LOTO, Fall Protection, PPE)
- Cross-Shop Collaboration
References
- Jeffery Hamlin, Welder supervisor, Norfolk naval shipyard, (757) 681-1125, jeffery.l.hamlin.civ@us.navy.mil
- Justin Mundy, Zone Manager, Norfolk naval shipyard, (757) 403-9362, justin.s.mundy.civ@us.navy.mil
Additional Qualifications And Training
Safety & Compliance
- Annual Shipyard Security & Refresher Training
- Radiological Control Indoctrination
- Fall Protection
- Toxic Metals Worker
- LO/TO 101 (Lockout/Tagout)
- WP Heat Control Procedure Briefing
SUBSAFE / Shipyard
- Submarine Worker Indoc & SUBSAFE Awareness
- SUBSAFE Welder (Shop 26)
- Basic Submarine Support
- Basic Shipboard Worker / Basic Shop Worker
- NNSY Strategic Framework
Respiratory Protection
- Respirator Qualified (Full-Face & Half-Mask – 3M 6500)
- Quality of Life Dust Respirator
Process Improvement
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Trade Qualifications
- Shop 26 Welder
- Shop 26 P1 Pipe Welder
- Pipe Welder (Non-Nuclear)
Timeline
Welder Mechanic
Naval Sea Systems Command
08.2022 - Current
Welder Apprentice
Naval Sea Systems Command
08.2018 - 08.2022
High school diploma or equivalent -
Deep Creek High School
Technical or occupational certificate - Welding
Tidewater Community College
Some college (no degree) - Engineering, General Studies
Tidewater Community College