R&D Technician

About the role

Our engineers are designing hardware that’s never existed before. What they’re missing is someone on the floor who can turn those designs into real parts, push back when something won’t build as drawn, and help write the procedure when one doesn’t exist yet. This is not a production role. Most of what you’ll build has no established procedure. You’ll fabricate and assemble prototype hardware, run tests, chase anomalies, and work directly with engineers in a fast-paced R&D environment. When something doesn’t fit, a test doesn’t pass, or doesn’t make sense — you’re part of the team that figures out why.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, assemble, and inspect prototype turbine components across systems — structures, rotating hardware, fuel systems, instrumentation.
• Build and operate test rigs; set up instrumentation and run data acquisition on a 42 MW machine.
• Fabricate and assemble high-pressure pneumatic and hydraulic fluid systems, including tubing, fittings, and leak verification.
• Work directly with engineers to translate CAD into hardware — and push back when something won’t build correctly.
• Troubleshoot anomalies during build and test, document findings, and drive toward root cause.

Requirements

• Hands-on fabrication or test experience in aerospace, defense, or high-performance industrial environments.
• Comfort across fabrication modalities — mechanical assembly, precision components, fluid systems, or avionics wiring.
• Experience with high-pressure pneumatic or hydraulic systems — assembly, leak check, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with fastener standards: hi-lok, NAS, MS hardware, and torque documentation.
• Disciplined documentation habits and working knowledge of aerospace quality standards.
• The ability to read and work from engineering drawings; GD&T (ASME Y14.5) familiarity preferred.
• Enough CAD literacy to open a model, pull a dimension, and flag a build risk before it reaches the floor.
• Someone who treats ambiguity as the job, not an obstacle to it.

This is a physically active role. Candidates should be comfortable standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 lbs unassisted, and working in an active shop environment.

ITAR Requirement

To conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations (ITAR and EAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Compensation

The Base Hourly Range for this position is $35/hr – $46/hr. Actual rate will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Boom’s total rewards package for employees. Other rewards may include long-term incentives/equity, a flexible PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.