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.

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Additive Manufacturing
For the creators

3D print the parts that run the submarine.

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CNC Machining
For the shapers

Shape everyday materials into extraordinary submarine components with advanced technology.

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Metrology
For the inspectors

Use your knack for numbers and keen eye to ensure quality and spot mistakes.

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Non-Destructive Testing
For the experimenters

Ensure that every submarine component is of the highest quality and safe for service.

Welding
For the makers

Use your torch to forge impenetrable bonds and piece together parts, systems and platforms.

How does a career in CNC Machining
compare to being a Retail Worker?

CNC Machining

Retail Worker

4 months - 2 years
FREE
$55K/year
⚙️ 💻 🗜
Training Length
Training cost
Average Salary
Your
toolkit
10 hours
N/A
$31K/year
🛍️ 🏪 🛒
Typical
Day
1 of 3
Typical Day
Make sure your average day isn’t average

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.

CNC Machining
Retail Worker

The night crew didn't do ANY folding last night. The store is a mess.

Sorry to hear that! This is what I've been working on:

Are you kidding me? I'm folding sweaters and you're doing THAT?!

10sec

Yeah, so today our mentors are helping us test this code we created to make this super-critical part that goes into naval airplane navigation systems. The machine cuts through metal like butter to make these perfect parts every time. I should make an ASMR video.

That's awesome. I've also done a cool thing:

How ... um ... exciting? 😴

Do you have an office? What's it like?

Wow. My "office" is basically a storage closet.

What, your office doesn’t have futuristic machines?

Nope, but it does have jeans that seem to magically unfold themselves.

You. Must. Escape. Now.

bragging
rights
2 of 3
Bragging Rights
Wow them with what you do

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?

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

The stuff I make helps crews navigate undersea mountains.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I can fold shirts faster than anybody in the men's department.

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

I build defense systems that use lasers to disable enemy drones.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I help customers find items in their size and recommend items to create outfits. I'm basically a celebrity stylist.

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

In short, I protect nations using G-code.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I'm pretty legendary at pushing merch during the holiday season.

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

The stuff I make helps crews navigate undersea mountains.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I can fold shirts faster than anybody in the men's department.

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

I build defense systems that use lasers to disable enemy drones.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I help customers find items in their size and recommend items to create outfits. I'm basically a celebrity stylist.

Job
CNC Machining
Bio

In short, I protect nations using G-code.

Job
Retail Worker
Bio

I'm pretty legendary at pushing merch during the holiday season.

Your Journey
3 of 3
Your Journey
A glimpse into your future

What will your career trajectory look like? Let’s compare paths to see what your future could hold.

CNC Machining
My Career Timeline

JANUARY 2025

Get Paid to Do Expedited Training

All my training and my room and board are FREE through the ATDM program!

CNC Machining Training Programs >

FEBRUARY 2025

Grow My Skillset

I’ll learn how to write G-code, work with and maintain machines, read technical specs and more.

MARCH 2025

Pay Training Tuition
FREE

Putting that money I would have spent on training if it weren't free toward saving for my first home. 🏠

MAY 2025

Get My First Paycheck
Up to $54K/year

You know what's better than getting your first paycheck? No debt! 😎💰

5 years later

JANUARY 2030

Level Up to a CNC Machinist II
Up to $63K/year

Skills upgraded: check. Title upgraded: check! Raise secured: much bigger check!

10 years later

JANUARY 2035

Growing My Career as a CNC Programmer
Up to $72K/year

I write the programs that instruct machines to turn raw materials into functional equipment.

Retail Worker
My Career Timeline

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.

5 years later

JANUARY 2030

Still a Retail Sales Associate
Up to $47K/year

I greet customers, fold and display garments, and label merchandise. Wheee!

10 years later

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!

Decide Your
Future

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 writing unique code to build machines that Maverick and Rooster might fly.

What will you choose?