Additive Manufacturing Technician

BAE Systems’ Engineering Operations Capability Group’s Additive Manufacturing (AM) Center in Hudson, NH is seeking a motivated mechanical technician to support our fast-moving AM team. This hands-on role offers the opportunity to work with the latest industrial-grade 3-D printers—from fused-filament machines to high-resolution resin systems—and learn to produce challenging hardware geometries that traditional manufacturing cannot achieve.

About the role

You will support the day-to-day operations of the AM Center, assisting with part-job scheduling, printer setup, printing, post-processing, and assembly of program hardware. Collaborating directly with engineers and designers, you’ll help design, print, and finish novel components that demonstrate new technical concepts, gaining exposure to a wide range of high-performance AM materials and their real-world applications. Your work will blend hands-on mechanical tasks with technical problem-solving under the mentorship of experienced AM engineers.

Responsibilities

• Manage production queues alongside the AM Center team to track job schedules, prioritize print orders, and maintain smooth production flow.
• Prepare and verify build files: import, clean, and review 3-D model files; set up machine parameters, slice files, and confirm parts meet design specifications before printing.
• Operate and monitor fused-filament (FFF) and resin-based printers, perform routine calibrations, and troubleshoot issues in real time to ensure high-quality builds.
• Post-process printed parts: execute support removal, part assembly, insert installation, and finishing operations; inspect finished components and package them for delivery to engineering programs.
• Interpret technical documentation: read hardware model files and engineering drawings, identify required inserts or fixtures, and assist in installing them on printed parts.
• Track material inventory: monitor consumables (filaments, resins, build plates, etc.), log usage in the inventory system, and notify the Materials Manager when stock falls below reorder thresholds.
• Coordinate supplies and logistics: gather and stage tools, post-processing hardware, and ancillary supplies for each print job; ensure workstations remain organized and stocked.
• Support design iterations: collaborate with engineers to make minor design adjustments, update CAD files, and re-print prototypes as directed.
• Document work and report results: log build parameters, material usage, and print outcomes in database spreadsheets; generate brief status reports for program leads and the AM Center manager.
• Contribute to continuous improvement: identify opportunities to streamline workflows, suggest enhancements to the internal AM Center portal, and share ideas for better safety, cleanliness, or efficiency.
• Maintain a safe, clean workspace: follow all safety protocols, keep the lab tidy, and adhere to compliance standards for equipment and material handling.
• Manage the AM Center’s chemical inventories: order, inspect, and disposition materials; create new part numbers as necessary; monitor hazardous material/waste disposition.

Requirements

• Mechanical aptitude: comfortable handling tools, fixtures, and interpreting engineering drawings and model files.
• Technical communication: clear written and verbal reporting; ability to document build parameters, material usage, and results in Excel or other tracking tools.
• Team collaboration and independence: works effectively both as a solo contributor and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Organization and multitasking: meticulous, manages multiple print jobs, schedules, and supply-chain tasks without compromising safety or quality.
• Software proficiency: Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with database use (Access or similar) for inventory and reporting is beneficial.
• Safety-first mindset: follows lab safety protocols, maintains a clean work environment, and promptly reports hazards or equipment issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building, assembling, or repairing mechanical components (e.g., robotics clubs, shop class, maker-space projects).
• Prior exposure to or use of 3-D printing machines (FDM, SLA, DLP or similar) and associated slicing software (e.g., GrabCAD, Stratasys, FixtureMate, Cura, PrusaSlicer, PreForm).
• Familiarity with CAD packages such as SolidWorks, PTC Creo, Fusion 360, or other parametric modeling tools.
• Ability to follow written procedures, maintain accurate logs, and track inventory in a workshop or lab setting.

Pay

Full-time salary range: $57,319 – $91,710. Individual salaries are determined by factors including business considerations, local market conditions, internal equity, and candidate qualifications such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage and life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program and legal plan.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and other leave programs, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and applicable federal and state sick leave.
• Employee recognition program with monetary or non-monetary awards.
• Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Other incentives may be available based on position level and job specifics.