Engineering Technician V (CNC Machinist)

Bowhead; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowhead is seeking an Engineering Technician V (CNC Machinist) to support DoD‑level prototyping and fabrication on a newly awarded contract. The role emphasizes hands‑on hardware work, 3‑axis milling on HAAS VF2/VF3, and development of mechanical assemblies and mounts per engineering drawings.

The position requires extensive hands‑on fabrication experience, familiarity with SolidWorks/MasterCam/Camworks, and the ability to work across multiple projects with strong problem‑solving skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 7 years of full‑time experience as an Engineering Technician supporting DoD mechanical development/fabrication.
• 5 years hands‑on CNC machining, fabrication, testing and troubleshooting of hardware assemblies.
• Experience reading and editing electrical drawings and system schematics.
• Hands‑on mechanical fabrication, cabling, electro‑mechanical assembly and platform‑level systems integration.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, MasterCam and Camworks software.
• Experience with HAAS equipment and precision tolerances.
• Security clearance eligibility for DoD work (Secret).

Responsibilities

• Prototype fabrication and modification from mechanical drawings, CAD blueprints and interface documents.
• Assemble, secure, and inspect complex prototype artifacts to DoD standards.
• Manage workload across multiple projects, set up tooling, layouts and quality control for final review.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, workspace safety, and tool inventories per DoD requirements.
• Troubleshoot machine shop equipment, including programming software and complex assemblies.
• Support engineering teams by interpreting CAD drawings and assisting with TIG welding of aluminum.

Skills

CNC machining

Fabrication

Reading mechanical drawings

Prototyping

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Communication

Electrical drawings

Tolerances

TIG welding

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Camworks

HAAS VF2

HAAS VF3

Prototrack

Makino U6 HEAT

Job description

Overview

Engineering Technician V(CNC Machinist) (H40-2026-26473)

Bowhead seeks an Engineering Technician V(CNC Machinist) on a newly awarded contract supportinge Battle Management System (BMS) family of projects. In this role, we are seeking a hands‑on Engineering Technician V(CNC Machinist) who has experience with both HAAS VF2 and VF3 model machines and has the fundamentals of engineer prototyping processes. This position is heavily hardware/mechanically focused, prioritizing physical buildouts, custom mounts, and hands‑on fabrication, with some Tig welding of aluminum. Travel of 5% annually can be expected.

Responsibilities

Engineering Technician V(CNC Machinist) shall provide hands‑on Engineering Technician mechanical/machinist focused competency, prioritizing prototyping buildouts, custom designs, and hands‑on fabrication, utilizing Engineering drawings in an accordance with DoD processes. As an Engineering Technician V(CNC Machinist), duties & responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Prototype Fabrication and Modification: Read and work from mechanical technical drawing packages, CAD blueprints, and interface documents/software with SolidWorks, MasterCam or Camworks software packages and fabricate prototype artifacts per engineering specifications, via HASS VF2 and VF3; 3‑axis vertical machining center designed system.

Prototype Fabrication: Assemble, secure, and inspect complex prototype artifacts to DoD engineering standards in accordance with DoD standards. Confirm physical configurations match designs.

Workload Management: Manage workload supporting multiple projects, establishing tooling setup, work layouts, and establishing quality control for end article review prior to engineering review. Maintain laboratory cleanliness, physical workspace safety, tool inventories, and consumable stock, ensuring the shop is operated in accordance with DoD work environments.

Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting: Familiar with basic machine shop equipment troubleshooting to include programming software, and setup of complex machine assemblies.

Cross‑Functional Support: Support engineering design teams with ability to understand complex CAD drawings, and initial design technical drawings, and assist with TIG welding of aluminum.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or passing score on the General Education Development (GED) exam
• Seven (7) years of full‑time professional experience working as an Engineering Technician in providing technical support related to mechanical development, and fabrication production, or testing directly in support of the Department of Defense.
• Five (5) years of demonstrated hands‑on fabrication experience via CNC machining, mechanical fabrication, testing and troubleshooting of hardware assemblies in a professional engineering environment. Experience in developing and testing solutions to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance; while assisting engineers in inspecting products, conducting tests, and collecting data. Experience with following published user manuals and maintenance documentation. In addition, experience 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.
• Proficiency reading and working with mechanical/electrical technical drawing packages, blueprints, and CAD models.
• Familiar with SolidWorks software, MasterCam ’25 and Camworks “25 software packages
• Excellent hands‑on mechanical and fabrication skills, including standard HAAS equipment, Toolroom TL1 Lathe, ProtTrack, and Makino U6 H.E.A.T. as well as basic metal‑working equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills focused on mechanical tolerances, and physical alignments.
• Familiar with TIG welding aluminum design
• EDM machining experience.
• Intermediate to advanced level skills in Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.