Engineering Technician (Mechanical & Integration)

Bowhead • Dahlgren, VA

6d • $38 - $47

About The Position

Bowhead is seeking a hands-on Engineering Technician (Mechanical & Integration) for a newly awarded contract supporting the Battle Management System (BMS) family of projects. The role focuses on the physical, structural, and mechanical integration of BMS hardware across tactical platforms, including physical buildouts, custom mounts, structural cable routing, and fabrication. The technician will also cross-train to assist with basic electronics, software loading, and laboratory network configurations. Approximately 20% annual travel is expected.

The position may be hired at the ET4 or ET5 level, depending on the interview process and experience. The stated starting rates are $38.39 per hour for ET4 and $46.96 per hour for ET5. These rates are general guidelines; offers may consider responsibilities, experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market and business factors.

The technician will integrate hardware on tactical vehicles, vessels, or aerial platforms; fabricate and route cables and wiring harnesses; prepare and maintain laboratory integration spaces at the NSWCDD Dahlgren SILs; and assist with mechanical integration of manned and unmanned systems and counter-UAS hardware. Cross-functional support includes basic GUI software installation, GPS simulator setups, and basic line-of-sight communication diagnostics during heavy test cycles. The technician must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance at this location.

Requirements

• High school diploma or passing score on the GED exam.
• Seven years of full-time professional Engineering Technician experience providing technical support related to design, development, production, or testing directly in support of the Department of Defense.
• Five years of hands-on testing and troubleshooting of electronic systems in a professional engineering environment.
• Experience developing and testing solutions to technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance; assisting engineers with product inspections, tests, and data collection; following published user manuals and maintenance documentation; and reading, editing, and creating electrical drawings and system schematics.
• Experience with hands-on mechanical fabrication, cabling, electro-mechanical assembly, and platform-level systems integration in a professional aerospace or defense engineering environment.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels and outside contacts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance at this location.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, stand and walk for prolonged periods, and periodically twist, bend, and squat.

Nice To Haves

• IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies).
• IPC-A-610 certification (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies).

Responsibilities

• Read and work from mechanical technical drawing packages, CAD blueprints, and interface documents to mount, secure, and integrate BMS hardware on tactical vehicles, vessels, and aerial platforms.
• Assemble, route, secure, and inspect cables and wiring harnesses according to electrical standards, confirming that physical connector configurations match designs.
• Lead physical setup, structural layouts, mounting, and cable routing at the NSWCDD Dahlgren SILs.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, workspace safety, tool inventories, and consumable stock so SILs are prepared for internal project test events and BMS team system testing.
• Assist with structural and mechanical integration of manned and unmanned systems, including UxS/UAS and C-UAS hardware mounts across air, land, and maritime domains.
• Cross-train to support electronic and network technicians, including assisting with basic GUI software installation, GPS simulator setups, and basic line-of-sight communication diagnostics during heavy test cycles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED