Marine Trades Internship (Summer 2027)

POSITION SUMMARY

Ghostworks Marine is seeking a motivated student who wants to build a skilled-trade career in custom boatbuilding. The Marine Trades Intern receives structured, hands-on training in one of two specialties: marine finishes (Track A) or marine electrical and mechanical installations (Track B). Ghostworks Marine will fill one internship. The selected intern trains in a single track for the full internship, based on their background, interests, and the company’s production needs. Prior marine experience is not required. Attitude, care, reliability, and willingness to learn are what matter most.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

• Paid internship with a designated production mentor.
• Applicants should indicate which track they are applying for, or note if they are open to either.
• Written learning objectives, weekly progress reviews, and a final skills assessment.
• A track-specific capstone project completed under qualified supervision.
• The internship requires 13 weeks during the summer. Weekly hours are agreed with the student, school, HR, and Production.
• Ghostworks will coordinate with the student’s school on academic credit and work-based learning requirements where applicable.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High school graduate, currently enrolled in an accredited skilled-trades program or a standard degree program.
• Relevant interest: A demonstrated interest in autobody, painting, electrical work, mechanical systems, or marine service.
• Foundational skills: Basic shop mathematics, accurate measurement, the ability to follow written instructions, and an interest in understanding why a process is performed a particular way.
• Work habits: Dependable attendance, attention to detail, respect for tools and materials, receptiveness to feedback, and prompt communication when instructions or conditions are unclear.
• Safety and teamwork: Willingness to complete required training, use assigned protective equipment, keep an orderly work area, and work within the limits of demonstrated competency.
• Availability: Available for the full 13-week summer internship, with a dependable schedule and reliable transportation to the Holland shop.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to complete an appropriately scoped capstone that meets school-credit requirements, if applicable.
• Track-specific background as described under Track A and Track B.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL INTERNS

• Maintain a task and learning log.
• Record labor and material use.
• Identify defects or hazards early and report them to the mentor.
• Take part in shop organization and equipment care.
• Deliver work for mentor inspection rather than releasing it to production independently.

TRACK A  |  MARINE FINISHES INTERN

  Develops a student interested in autobody or painting into an entry-level marine-finishing craftsperson

Training introduces Awlgrip, Durapox, Duratec, and gel coat through practice pieces and approved production tasks, with an emphasis on preparation, process control, and consistent workmanship.

Preferred Background

• Autobody repair, collision refinishing, industrial painting, or a comparable hands-on program.
• Prior sanding, masking, filling, or spray-equipment experience is helpful but not required.
• Patience, an eye for surface quality, and pride in completing detailed work.

Responsibilities & Learning Objectives

• Surface assessment and preparation: Identify defects; assist with cleaning, fairing, filling, block sanding, edge preparation, and masking; protect adjacent surfaces and installed equipment.
• Coating-system planning: Review current technical and safety data sheets with the mentor. Learn substrate suitability, approved primers and topcoats, compatibility, application windows, and cure requirements. Treat each product family as a separate system unless compatibility is specifically approved.
• Material preparation: Calculate batches using the manufacturer’s specified weight or volume ratios; identify components; record product and batch information; track pot life, material use, and waste. Do not convert ratios without approved data.
• Application practice: Prepare test panels; learn equipment setup, spray-pattern checks, application technique, and coverage control. Progress to boat components and supervised spraying only after task-specific authorization.
• Inspection and correction: Recognize sanding marks, pinholes, contamination, runs, dry spray, and inconsistent texture or gloss. Document defects and perform mentor-approved repairs, sanding, polishing, or buffing only where the coating system permits.
• Shop and environmental controls: Keep preparation and application areas clean; care for tools and spray equipment; and follow approved chemical-storage, waste-handling, ventilation, and respiratory-protection procedures.

Capstone  |  Finish a Small Boat

Plan and carry out the preparation and painting of a small boat, such as a MUT, under qualified supervision. Select an approved coating system suited to the hull and service conditions and use separate practice panels to demonstrate proficiency with additional products.

• Required deliverables: Surface-condition assessment; coating and preparation plan; labor and material estimate; preparation and application records; progress photographs; and final inspection checklist.
• Completion standard: Mentor-approved preparation, coating application, and finished appearance; completion of the agreed punch list; and a short presentation explaining the process, defects encountered, and lessons learned. Acceptance criteria are agreed before work begins.

Training boundary: Chemical handling, spray application, and gel-coat or Duratec work are performed only in an approved work area, with product-specific controls and direct supervision. The intern does not independently select exposure controls or change coating systems.

TRACK B  |  MARINE ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL INTERN

  Develops a student interested in electrical and mechanical installations into an entry-level marine-systems technician

Training focuses on 12-volt DC distribution, inverter-supplied 120-volt AC power, clean component installation, troubleshooting, and accurate documentation.

Preferred Background

• Marine service, automotive electrical, industrial electricity, electronics, mechatronics, or mechanical technology.
• Basic circuit theory and multimeter experience are desirable. Marine-specific methods and standards are taught through supervised work.

Responsibilities & Learning Objectives

• Planning and drawings: Assist with electrical load lists, circuit schedules, wiring diagrams, component layouts, and bills of materials. Learn to document design assumptions and submit changes for engineering or mentor approval.
• DC installation: Practice conductor selection, routing, support, chafe protection, labeling, crimping, heat shrinking, and termination. Assist with approved installation of batteries, disconnects, circuit protection, distribution panels, switches, lights, and pumps.
• Inverter and AC systems: Learn how an inverter supplies 120-volt AC from a 12-volt DC source. Study input-current demand, protection, grounding and bonding, AC/DC separation, ventilation, and manufacturer-specific installation requirements with the mentor.
• Mechanical installations: Assist with mounting pumps and equipment, fabricating simple brackets, routing hoses, fitting clamps and supports, sealing approved penetrations, and maintaining service access. Perform documented torque and leak checks as directed.
• Testing and troubleshooting: Use approved test instruments to verify continuity, polarity, voltage, voltage drop, and equipment function. Record results and resolve defects systematically under supervision.
• Production documentation: Maintain wire and component identification, redlined drawings, as-built records, parts inventory, and inspection checklists. Keep installations neat, repeatable, and serviceable.

Capstone  |  Design, Build, and Demonstrate a System

Create an approved wiring diagram, then build a working system on a training board or designated small-boat project. The system includes a protected 12-volt DC supply and distribution, representative DC loads, an inverter, and a protected 120-volt AC demonstration load, plus a mounted pump or comparable mechanical subsystem where practical.

• Required deliverables: Load schedule; conductor and protection selections with supporting calculations; bill of materials; labeled installation; as-built diagram; and commissioning record.
• Completion standard: Demonstrated system operation and a mentor-selected troubleshooting exercise. The mentor approves the design and inspects the installation before energization.

Training boundary: No unsupervised live AC work is permitted.

ABYC Electrical Certification Goal

Ghostworks will support the intern’s preparation for the ABYC Marine Electrical examination. ABYC’s Technician designation requires a passed examination plus at least two years of relevant work experience, so eligibility and readiness are confirmed with ABYC before an exam date is set. For a new entrant, successful completion means the working capstone plus a documented certification-development plan, with relevant experience tracked toward the Technician designation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Shop and onboard work, including confined spaces, elevated work areas, and varied temperatures.
• Exposure to dust, noise, coatings, resins, and chemicals, controlled through required PPE, ventilation, and approved procedures.
• Ability to stand, kneel, bend, and reach for extended periods and to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must complete required safety training and follow all PPE, chemical-handling, and electrical safety procedures.

EXPORT CONTROL & SECURITY NOTICE

Ghostworks Marine supports U.S. Navy programs, and some work may involve information or facilities subject to U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must meet any eligibility requirements that apply to the assigned work. Photographing, recording, or sharing images of the facility, vessels, or technical information is not permitted without authorization.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Ghostworks Marine is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.