Experimental Ballistics Technician

Overview

Engineering Technician III, with possible steps

This position as an Engineering Technician III supports the Flight Sciences Branch (FSB) within the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Duty station will be at the Aerodynamics Experimental Facility (AEF) at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD. The mission at this facility is to experimentally study in high fidelity the transitional and exterior ballistics of next-generation developmental Army munitions and weapons. This work will include both indoor and outdoor experimental tests and firings.

Responsibilities

• Advanced working knowledge of basic mechanical, electrical, and mathematical principles. An associate’s degree in engineering technology or related discipline is desired, but is not required.

• Advanced working knowledge of common laboratory equipment such as shop tools and machinery, equipment mounts, precision measurement tools, electronic sensors, communications cabling, and diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes.

• Working knowledge of computers and basic productivity software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Excellent attention to detail and understanding of measurement tolerances.

• Ability to carefully follow detailed instructions, specifications, and test plans to enable safe, high-quality experiments.

• Ability to envision and develop innovative test setups and procedures to experimentally quantify the performance of non-standard weapons and munitions.

• Experience working with weapons and ammunition is desired but not required. Relevant activities include weapondisassembly, repair, maintenance, and precision loading.

• Experience in small-scale mechanical design and fabrication is desired but not required. Experience with technical drawing using software like Solidworks is desired but not required. Experience with fabrication tools such as lathes, drill presses, milling machines, and 3D printers is desired but not required.

• Job duties require a significant amount of physical labor associated with setup and teardown of equipment and materiel at test sites. Ability to lift objects up to 50 pounds. Work often involves prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, or stooping. Work is often performed outdoors exposing incumbent to all types of weather conditions. Incumbent must follow all safety regulations and use proper protective gear or equipment.

Qualifications

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• High school diploma or GED

• Independently set up and prepare weapons, ammunition, and instrumentation for ballistic and check drawings provided by engineers and scientists to determine the adequacy of the drawings for fabrication and successful completion of the associated test. Following either specific or loosely-defined instructions, assemble or construct standard equipment or parts.Provide innovative solutions to overcome technical challenges associated with non-standard testing requirements.

• Conduct standard and non-standard experiments as a part of a close-knit team of engineers and technicians under the direction of a certified test director. This involves preparing test specimens, adjusting and operating equipment, and recording test data.

• Perform advanced experimental data reduction and interpretation. This requires basic math skills, an ability to use computers, and a good understanding of data reduction software like Microsoft Excel. Extract key takeaways from experiment and communicate to experimental team.

• Provide recommendations for improving operations by recommending new equipment, methods, or materials for accomplishment of tasks, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance and safety standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Working with laboratory leadership, write SOPs for new types of equipment and experiments.

• Troubleshoot and correct equipment malfunctions. May service or repair simple instruments or equipment.

• Design advanced prototype fixtures, instruments, and machinery in 2D and 3D using CAD software such as Solidworks.

• Fabricate and modify advanced testing components using tools such as lathes, drill presses, milling machines, and 3D printers.

• Document experimental setup, methodologies, and results in technical reports as a lead author.

• Provide presentations of work to range visitors, to range engineers, and to outside organizations. Represent the range at outside organizations and professional groups to transition experimental methodologies and findings.

• Contribute to the maintenance/upkeep (sweeping, general organization, and housekeeping) of the facility. Make improvements to the facility as required for specific projects and to improve overall experimental capabilities. Develop long-term plans with laboratory leadership to improve the range.

• Develop and achieve certifications relevant to the team such as certified Ammo Handler, Gunner, and Test Director (certification through on-the-job training).

• Subject to travel on short notice and could be subjected to frequent unscheduled overtime on short notice.

• Must maintain at all times:

• Secret Clearance

• Certification to operate Government and Team Bowhead Equipment and Vehicles

• Pass all required training deemed necessary by the facility manager and be familiar with all sites and SOPs for every site at the facility.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically.

• Must be able to work in all types of typical local weather conditions, at heights, and in confined spaces.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must currently hold a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.

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.

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 .

All candidates must apply online at www.uicalaska.com , and submit a completed application for all positions they wish to be considered. Once the employment application has been completed and submitted, any changes to the application after submission may not be reviewed. Please contact a UIC HR Recruiter if you have made a significant change to your application. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC Human Resources for assistance www.uicalaska.com/careers/recruitment/ .

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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.

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ID 2026-25678

Category Engineering

Location : Location US-MD-Aberdeen

SCA Hourly Rate USD $34.31/Hr.

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Secret

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Travel Requirement N/A