Machinist (Engineering Technician IV)

UIC Government Services and the Bowhead Family of Companies; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Safety footwear allowance

Holiday pay

Training opportunities

Job summary

Bowhead, operating as UIC Government Services, seeks an experienced Machinist (Engineering Technician IV) to program and operate CNC mills and lathes in the NSWCDD Dahlgren shop. You will read DoD drawings with GD&T, set up tooling, and inspect parts with precision instruments.

The role requires 8+ years of experience, CAD/CAM proficiency, and the ability to work independently or in a team; UIC Bowhead offers growth opportunities and security clearance support in a defense environment.

Qualifications

• Must read and interpret DoD drawings and GD&T.
• Experience programming and operating CNC milling machines and lathes (8+ years).
• Proficient with CAD/CAM software and CAD/CAM workflows.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Program and operate CNC lathes/mills, set tools, and create fixtures.
• Work with Haas, Fadal, or ProtoTrak machines; perform setups.
• Inspect parts with dial calipers and micrometers; ensure tight tolerances.
• Assist teammates with programming or machining techniques as needed.

Skills

CNC programming

GD&T

Reading drawings

English proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CAD/CAM software

CMM experience

Job description

Overview

Machinist (Engineering Technician IV) (EPFAB-2026-24702):

Bowhead is seeking a qualified Machinist to join the Machine Shop team at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) in Virginia. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. Navy in the development of prototypes and short-run production work, contributing to critical national defense projects. Our machinists are responsible for programming, setting up, and machining parts in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) specifications and models. The role involves working with a wide range of materials, including aluminum, exotic steels, plastics, Inconel, and titanium.

We provide self-help training on SolidWorks and CAMWorks, offering opportunities for continuous skill development and career advancement. Government-provided tools will be available to support your work.

This intermediate to upper-level position requires a minimum of eight years of experience. The candidate must be able to fully understand DoD drawings including GD&T and have a proficient ability to program and operate CNC mills and lathes. They need the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. There will be occasions when the machinist will be required to assist colleagues with programming or machining techniques. There may be a need to assist the shop lead with estimating time and material on certain projects.

Bowhead offers:

• Engineering Technician IV position pays $38.39 per hour, plus $4.93 per hour for H&W (Health and Welfare)
• A total of 28 paid days off per year. (Described below)
• Paid vacation accrued up to 10 days a year.
• Paid sick leave accrued up to 7 days a year.
• Paid holidays 11 per year.
• Up to $175 for safety boots every two years.
• Up to $5250 for college tuition per year.
• Up to $5250 for training per year.
• Prescription safety glasses are provided yearly.

Responsibilities

Machinists are required to program and operate both CNC lathes/mills, set tools in the machines, and create fixtures to hold uniquely shaped parts/components. (Most of the equipment in the shop is either Haas, Fadal, or ProtoTraks and is used daily.)

Must be able to comply with DoD drawings/models and hold tight tolerances on machined parts. Machinists will operate saws and occasionally use manual lathes and mills. They are expected to use standard measuring tools such as dial calipers and micrometers to inspect their parts.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma.
• Must have at least eight (8) years of professional experience programming and operating CNC milling machines and lathes. (Technical training may be considered as experience.)
• Must be able to draw and program using CAD/CAM software.
• Basic level skills in Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Have a great understanding of reading and interpreting Machinist drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Capable of using standard precision measuring tools such as dial calipers and micrometers to inspect in-process and completed parts. CMM experience is a plus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees, customers, and management and respond to instructions/assignments. Be willing to assist other employees with Machinist-related issues. i.e., programming and set-ups.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team.
• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time.
• Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

Target salary is $38.39/hr commensurate with experience

Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED: 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. Acquiring a clearance will be done with the assistance of Bowhead upon hiring unless the candidate already possesses a clearance.

Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol screening and/or random drug screen, and must follow UIC’s Non-DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program requirements. If the position requires, an applicant must pass a pre-employment criminal background history check. All post-secondary education listed on the applicant’s resume/application may be subject to verification.

Where driving may be required or where a rental car must be obtained for business travel purposes, applicants must have a valid driver license for this position and will be subject to verification. In addition, the applicant must pass an in‑house, online, driving course to be authorized to drive for company purposes.

UIC is an equal opportunity employer. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status EOE/D/V. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and subject to other state and federal requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity posters here .

UIC Government Services (UICGS / Bowhead) provides innovative business solutions to federal and commercial customers in the areas of engineering, maintenance services, information technology, program support, logistics/base support, and procurement. Collectively, the fast-growing Bowhead Family of Companies offers a breadth of services which are performed with a focus on quality results. Headquartered in Springfield, VA, we are a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar company recognized as a top Alaska Native Corporation providing services across the Department of Defense and many federal agencies. Bowhead offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short/long-term disability, and 401(k) retirement plans as well as a paid time off programs for eligible full-time employees. Eligible part‑time employees are able to participate in the 401(k) retirement plans and state or contract required paid time off programs.