Hardware Technician

Flagship Pioneering; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 61,000 - 77,100; Full time

Job summary

Flagship Pioneering in Boulder, CO is seeking a hands-on Hardware Technician to join a small engineering team. This role supports design, fabrication, and testing of advanced aerial and ground hardware, emphasizing precision mechanical work and systems assembly for rapid iteration.

You will work from CAD data, perform CNC machining, 3D printing, wiring, and testing; maintain documentation and shop cleanliness; and travel for field deployments as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or trade certification in mechanical technology or equivalent hands-on training.
• 2–5 years fabrication/assembly experience in prototyping or machine shop.
• Proficiency with CNC machining operations and tool selection; familiarity with GD&T and drawings.
• Experience with FDM 3D printing, material selection, post-processing, and CAD/CAM software like Fusion 360.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and use precision measurement tools.
• Experience in electronics assembly, soldering, and wiring harnesses.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving startup environment and maintaining organized shop practices.
• Prior exposure to aerospace/defense prototyping or RC/aerial systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, wire, and test mechanical structures and subsystems, including composites.
• Fabricate and test components using CNC machining, 3D printing, hand tooling, and composite lay-up.
• Support R&D of mechanical/kinetic designs and enclosures.
• Build wiring harnesses and low-voltage subsystems; test electrical subassemblies.
• Troubleshoot fabrication and mechanical issues; maintain build schedules.
• Maintain shop equipment, manage parts inventory, and track component status.
• Inspect finished assemblies for quality and dimensional accuracy; use precision tools.
• Collaborate with engineering leads to optimize manufacturability and reliability.
• Document processes and maintain build logs; support scalable manufacturing.
• Support field deployment prep and on-site technical support when needed.

Skills

CNC machining

3D printing

Wiring

Electronics assembly

Soldering

GD&T

Reading drawings

Fusion 360

Education

Associate’s degree / vocational certification

Tools

Fusion 360 (CAD/CAM)

CAD/CAM software

Job description

About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering is a platform innovation company that invents and builds companies that change the world. We bring together scientific minds, entrepreneurial company builders, and capital to enable courageous leaps in human health, sustainability, and beyond, accelerating scientific progress across disease detection, treatment, agriculture, and AI‑driven technologies.

Our footprint includes founding companies that have vaccinated billions against COVID‑19, cured intractable diseases, improved human health, preempted illness, and fed the world through resilient agriculture. Flagship has been recognized on Fortune’s "Change the World" list and Fast Company’s "World’s Most Innovative Companies" list.

The Role

We are seeking a hands‑on Hardware Technician to join our small engineering team. This critical build and fabrication role supports design, assembly, and testing of advanced systems for both our aerial platform and ground‑based hardware. You will work on precision mechanical and kinetic engineering challenges—from custom airframe structures and high‑performance subsystem integration to specialized ground equipment and deployment infrastructure. Ideally, you move fluidly between fabrication work (CNC machining, 3D printing, composite lay‑up, wiring) and systems‑level assembly, maintaining exacting standards in a fast‑moving, prototype‑heavy environment, enabling rapid iteration and field‑ready hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Assemble, wire, and test mechanical design structures and subsystems, including composite and foam structures.
• Fabricate and test custom mechanical components using CNC machining, 3D printing (FDM and SLA), hand tooling, and composite lay‑up techniques, working from engineering drawings and CAD files (STEP, DXF, STL).
• Support R&D of mechanical and kinetic designs of custom fixtures, actuation mechanisms, and specialized equipment enclosures.
• Build and assemble wiring harnesses, power distribution systems, low‑voltage subsystems, and electronic subassemblies.
• Troubleshoot mechanical failures and fabrication issues, making real‑time decisions to resolve problems and maintain build schedules.
• Maintain shop equipment, manage parts inventory, and track component status to ensure smooth build workflows and on‑time hardware availability.
• Inspect finished assemblies for quality, dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and compliance with engineering specifications using precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges, CMM as needed).
• Collaborate with engineering leads to optimize designs for manufacturability, cost, and field reliability; provide feedback on feasibility and manufacturing constraints early in the design cycle.
• Document fabrication processes, maintain build logs, and capture lessons learned to establish repeatable manufacturing procedures and support scaling.
• Support field deployment preparation including equipment packing, pre‑deployment validation testing, and, when needed, traveling to campaign sites to provide on‑site technical support.

Professional Experience & Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, vocational/trade certification, or equivalent hands‑on training in mechanical technology, manufacturing technology, electronics, or a closely related discipline; extensive practical experience may substitute for formal credentials.
• 2–5 years of hands‑on fabrication and assembly experience in a manufacturing, prototyping, R&D, or machine shop environment.
• Proficiency with CNC machining operations (setup, feeds and speeds, tool selection, workholding, G‑code basics); experience with manual lathes or mills is a plus.
• Experience with FDM 3D printing (slicing, material selection, print troubleshooting, post‑processing); familiarity with Fusion 360 or similar CAD/CAM software.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and assembly documentation; familiarity with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges).
• Experience with electronics assembly, soldering, wiring harnesses, and basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Comfortable working in a small, fast‑moving startup environment where priorities shift quickly and resourcefulness is as important as technical skill.
• Organized and detail‑oriented, with a track record of maintaining clean shop environments, clear parts logs, and accurate build documentation.
• Prior exposure to aerospace/defense prototyping, RC plane building, unmanned aircraft, atmospheric instrumentation, PCB prototyping, and assembly is a significant plus.
• A builder’s mindset—pride in quality and reliability of work and enthusiasm for building hardware deployed in demanding real‑world environments.

Location

Boulder, CO

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $61,000 - $77,100. The role includes healthcare coverage, an annual incentive program, retirement benefits, and other benefits as outlined by Protocos.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.