SkillBridge Engineering Technician

Forterra; Clarksburg (MD); On-site; USD 18,972 - 27,900; Full time

Job summary

Forterra offers a SkillBridge internship as Engineering Technician to support fabrication and system integration on autonomous vehicle platforms. You’ll fabricate prototype hardware, build cable harnesses, and integrate systems with the engineering team, gaining hands-on exposure to defense autonomy tech.

Interns work closely with cross-functional teams, review drawings, and contribute to the hardware lifecycle in a high-technology startup environment, developing fabrication and systems

Qualifications

• Must be eligible for a DoD SkillBridge program.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive or industrial repair.
• Experience in electrical troubleshooting and repair.
• Solution-focused approach; able to distill complexity and fabricate without written procedures.
• Quick to understand new concepts and apply direction.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Strong craftsmanship, organization, and fabrication quality.
• Able to read mechanical and electrical drawings and schematics.
• Proficient with hand/power tools and fabrication equipment.
• Excellent attention to detail; interest in defense tech, autonomous vehicles, and tech innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support fabrication of prototype hardware.
• Fabricate cable and harness subassemblies.
• Provide design feedback on manufacturability and serviceability.
• Review and redline mechanical/electrical drawing packages.
• Assist with developing manufacturing processes and assembly instructions.
• Integrate hardware designs onto vehicle platforms.
• Build and install electrical components.
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to meet system requirements.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Fabrication tasks

Reading drawings & schematics

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Technical degree or certification in automotive technology/robotics

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Fabrication equipment

Job description

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real‑time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

This SkillBridge internship offers hands‑on experience as an Engineering Technician at Forterra. Engineering Technicians support the development, integration, testing, and maintenance of our autonomous vehicle platforms. Working closely with our engineering team, interns will contribute to fabricating prototype hardware, building cable harnesses, and integrating systems onto vehicle platforms — gaining direct exposure to cutting‑edge defense autonomy technology.

SkillBridge interns will gain in‑depth exposure to the full hardware lifecycle of Forterra’s advanced autonomous systems. Working alongside industry experts and cross‑functional engineering teams, interns will develop essential technical, fabrication, and systems integration skills in a high‑technology, start‑up environment.

What you’ll do

• Supporting fabrication of prototype hardware.
• Fabricating cable and harness subassemblies.
• Providing design feedback to engineering with regard to manufacturability and serviceability.
• Helping to review and redline mechanical and electrical drawing packages.
• Supporting the development of manufacturing processes and assembly work instructions.
• Integrating hardware designs onto vehicle platforms.
• Building and installing electrical components.
• Collaborating with cross‑functional teams, including product and engineering, to understand system requirements and deliver quality workmanship.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be eligible for a DoD SkillBridge program opportunity.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive or industrial repair.
• Experience in electrical troubleshooting and repair.
• A solution‑driven approach — the ability to distill complexity into its essential components and execute fabrication tasks without needing clearly written procedures.
• Able to understand new concepts and directional feedback and apply changes quickly and accurately.
• Able to meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• High level of craftsmanship, organizational skills, and fabrication quality — someone who takes pride in their work and their work environment.
• Able to interpret mechanical and electrical assembly drawings and schematics.
• Proficient in using hand tools, power tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• A strong interest in defense technology, autonomous vehicles, and technology innovation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical degree or certification in automotive technology, robotics, or a related field.
• Experience working with autonomous vehicles or driver‑assistance systems (ADAS).
• Experience executing with command line Linux tools for computer and system configuration.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY

This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.

Forterra is an equal‑opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.