ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 4

HII; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

HII Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia is seeking an Engineering Technician (ET4) to support additive manufacturing production. You will operate, maintain, and troubleshoot metal AM systems and post‑processing equipment, while mentoring other technicians and assisting with process qualification.

The role requires an Associate's degree with 6 years of relevant experience, and collaboration with engineering, quality, and suppliers to improve processes and documentation.

Qualifications

• Advanced AM principles; LPBF/Wire DED experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical/technical aptitude; operate, troubleshoot, maintain complex equipment.
• Able to read engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications and write technical docs.

Responsibilities

• Operate and lead day-to-day AM system production and post-processing.
• Mentor technicians and develop work instructions and procedures.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and coordinate with vendors/engineers on issues.
• Support QA activities including inspections and metrology.

Skills

LPBF knowledge

Troubleshooting

Reading drawings

Quality assurance

Technical writing

Mentoring

Education

Associate's Degree

Tools

CMM

Job description

Req ID: 48666

Team: E66 ADV MANUFACTURING

Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding

US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes

Full-Time

Shift: 1st

Relocation: No relocation assistance available

Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework

Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 10% of the time

Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start

Salary Range: $82,000.00 to $104,000.00

The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range

Meet HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding

With more than 25,000 employees – including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders – HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We’re the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. We look forward to meeting you.

This Engineering Technician positions serves as a senior technical resource supporting the execution and advancement of additive manufacturing production. This position provides hands‑on operation, maintenance, and advanced troubleshooting of metal additive manufacturing systems and associated post‑processing equipment while providing technical guidance to other technicians. The ET4 supports equipment and process qualifications, complex production builds, quality and inspection activities, and the resolution of equipment and process issues that could impact safety, quality, or production schedules. This role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and equipment suppliers to develop and improve processes, establish repeatable production practices, and maintain equipment readiness. The ET4 is also expected to mentor and train less‑experienced technicians, assist in developing work instructions and technical procedures, and provide technical leadership during the continued expansion of additive manufacturing production capabilities.

Additional Job Description Information / Tasks

• Perform and lead day‑to‑day operation of additive manufacturing systems, post‑processing equipment, and supporting manufacturing processes.
• Serve as a senior operator and technical resource for LPBF, Wire DED, and other metal additive manufacturing technologies.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting of equipment, process, material, and part‑quality issues and coordiate with engineering and equipment manufacturers when necessary.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance and support equipment calibration, qualification, and readiness activities.
• Support development, qualification, and execution of additive manufacturing processes for production components.
• Review AM part candidates for manufacturability and provide input regarding process selection, design optimization, build strategy, and model modification.
• Work from engineering drawings, specifications, procedures, and GD&T requirements and assist in developing technical reports and production documentation.
• Support quality assurance activities including quality documentation, control plans, in‑process inspections, dimensional inspection, metrology scanning, and CMM activities.
• Identify and implement continuous process improvements to increase safety, quality, equipment reliability, efficiency, and repeatability of AM production.
• Support part removal, surface preparation, material handling, and other post‑processing activities.
• Manage and maintain appropriate inventory levels of AM materials, consumables, tooling, and replacement components and ensure proper handling and disposition of waste.
• Assist in the development and improvement of operating procedures, work instructions, Job Performance Sheets (JPS), and other technical documentation.
• Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to less‑experienced Engineering Technicians and AM operators.
• Provide technical leadership during complex builds, equipment installations, machine recoveries, and production issues.
• Interface with engineering, quality, manufacturing, vendors, and equipment OEMs to resolve technical issues and support production requirements.
• Maintain and promote a positive and safe work environment and ensure compliance with applicable safety requirements and procedures.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Advanced working knowledge of additive manufacturing principles and processes, with experience in LPBF, Wire DED, or other metal AM technologies preferred.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with demonstrated ability to independently operate, troubleshoot, and maintain complex manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to diagnose equipment and process failures using a systematic troubleshooting approach and recommend corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production workflows, and equipment maintenance practices.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, procedures, and GD&T.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and inspection requirements in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with basic dimensional inspection equipment; experience with metrology scanning and CMM systems preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills with the ability to develop clear work instructions, procedures, troubleshooting documentation, and technical reports.
• Ability to train and mentor other technicians and effectively transfer technical knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership while remaining actively engaged in hands‑on production activities.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills with the ability to make sound technical decisions with limited supervision.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple production, maintenance, and technical activities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety, quality, and procedural compliance.
• High level of initiative, self‑motivation, accountability, and ownership of assigned work.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to effectively interface with technicians, engineering, quality, management, vendors, and equipment manufacturers.

The Role

Provides technical support to engineers on a variety of technical tasks. Gathers, maintains, formats, compiles, and manipulates technical data, such as laboratory or material test results and engineering design changes. Produces engineering documentation, reports, drawings (flow charts, block diagrams, and schematics). Performs detailed mathematical calculations using established formulas; preliminary analyses of data where guidelines are provided in such areas as trajectory adequacy, model dimensional consistency; and quantitative judgments concerning technical data. Uses personal computer in performance of analyses and development of documentation/reports. May conduct tests and record data to assist with engineering evaluation or analysis.

Tasks

• Day‑to‑day AM machine support, post processing equipment operation, and maintenance.
• Responsible for managing inventory and waste.
• Assess AM part candidates for manufacturability, design optimization and model modification potential.
• Working with Engineering drawings, understanding GD&T, and creating technical reports.
• Responsible for quality assurance including but not limited to 1) quality documentation and control plan 2) in‑process inspection 3) dimensional inspection with basic inspection tools, metrology scanning and CMM
• Continuous process improvement for efficient and repeatable part production, working to develop process in the direction of full production of AM parts.
• Support removal and surface preparation.
• Maintain and promote a positive and safe work environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge in basic principle of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and other AM technologies is preferred.
• Ability to understand and follow procedures and industrial standards.
• Skills in metrology.
• Knowledge in quality inspection.
• Exhibits proficient technical writing skills.
• Strong ability to plan, prioritize and organize multiple tasks.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving ability, high level of self‑motivation.
• Attention to details is critical.

Must Have

Associate's Degree and 6 years of relevant experience

One of the following may be used as equivalent to Associate's Degree to meet minimum qualifications:

• NNS Apprentice School graduate
• Navy Nuclear Power School (NNPS) graduate
• High School/GED and 2 years of related Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience
• High School/GED and 4 years of non‑related Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience

Nice to Have

• Experience in running AM equipment, laser powder bed fusion machines, Wire DED machines, and handling metal powder is preferred

Why HII

We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII’s diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well‑being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Working at HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on‑site health centers, tele‑medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post‑secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.

Do You Need Assistance?

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.

Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.