Overview
Machine Shop Lead (ETVI) (EPFAB-2026-25616):
Bowhead seeks a Machine Shop Lead (ETVI) who serves as the Machine Shop Lead for a high-volume fabrication and manufacturing operation supporting U.S. Navy programs. This position is responsible for planning, estimating, coordinating, and supervising machine shop activities while serving as the primary interface between engineering customers, government technical personnel, procurement personnel, and production staff. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for proto@type and production machining projects, ensuring quality, schedule, safety, and customer satisfaction objectives are achieved.
Bowhead offers:
Engineering Technician VI position pays $56.81 per hour, plus $5.09 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
Job duties include but are not limited to:
Lead and supervise an average workforce of 25 machinists, welders, fabricators, and maintenance personnel.
Estimate labor hours, materials, tooling, machine time, and manufacturing processes for proto@type and production machined parts.
Review engineering drawings, models, and technical data packages to determine manufacturing requirements and project feasibility.
Coordinate daily production activities to ensure customer schedules and priorities are met.
Interface directly with government engineers, Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs), and customers to discuss project requirements, manufacturing concerns, design improvements, and schedule status.
Track project estimates, work progress, material status, and completion schedules using Microsoft Excel and other tracking tools.
Work closely with procurement specialists to ensure materials, tooling, and outside services are ordered and received in a timely manner.
Provide technical guidance and mentoring to machinists, welders, and junior technicians.
Recommend manufacturing methods, tooling solutions, and process improvements to enhance quality and efficiency.
Review and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, military specifications, and ASME standards.
Assist customers to ensure their drawings are complete, accurate, and manufacturable.
Coordinate with safety personnel and enforce all safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
Conduct routine shop inspections and ensure employees consistently follow established safety protocols.
Prepare professional correspondence, project updates, estimates, and status reports.
Participate in meetings with customers, engineers, government representatives, and management personnel.
Qualifications
Minimum fifteen (15) years of full-time professional experience in machining, fabrication, manufacturing, or engineering technician disciplines.
Extensive experience operating manual and CNC machine tools, including lathes and milling machines.
Experience with welding processes including MIG, TIG, and Stick welding is highly desired.
Ability to estimate labor, materials, tooling, and machine time for complex proto@type and production work.
Demonstrated leadership experience supervising skilled trades personnel in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling, materials, and fabrication techniques.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and 3D models.
Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks and CAMWorks.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and other standard business software.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to write professional emails, reports, estimates, and project status updates.
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Desired Qualifications
Expert knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
Experience managing drafting projects and reviewing technical drawings for compliance with military specifications and ASME standards.
Experience supporting Navy, Department of Defense, or government manufacturing operations.
Experience providing technical feedback to engineering teams regarding manufacturability, material selection, and design improvements.
Experience training and mentoring lower-level technicians and skilled trades personnel.
Work Environment
This position requires regular work in a manufacturing and fabrication environment with exposure to machine tools, welding operations, lifting equipment, and industrial machinery. The candidate must be able to work safely in accordance with all company and government safety requirements.
Key Competencies
Leadership and Team Management
Manufacturing Process Planning
Cost and Schedule Estimating
Customer Service and Communication
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Project Tracking and Coordination
Safety Compliance
Technical Manufacturing Expertise
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
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.
LI-BG1
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. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics EOE/D/V. In furtherance, pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and federal contractual requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants, based on the provisions contained within The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity postershere (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088\EEOC\KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .
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 2026-25616
Category Installation/Maintenance/Repair
Location : Location US-VA-Dahlgren
SCA Hourly Rate USD $56.81/Hr.
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Secret
Minimum Clearance Required Secret
Travel Requirement N/A
