Mechanical Engineering Technician

Who We Are

Aptima is a technological leader in the national security industry. Our mission is to drive the future of national security by engineering scalable solutions that fuse technological innovation with human potential to transform how individuals and teams train, develop, and perform in mission-critical environments.

Our culture is rooted in our core values, which have evolved over time and our employees have embraced: Integrity, Ingenuity, Excellence, Respect, Engagement, Teamwork. At our core, Aptima researches, develops, and innovates within an area that engineering firms largely ignore, the human component. To impact the world in meaningful ways, you must bring those innovations to light, and that is precisely what we do.

How You'll Make An Impact

The Mechanical Engineering Technician plays a hands-on role in transforming innovative concepts into physical systems that support training, simulation, and research environments.

This position combines technical design support, CAD modeling, fabrication, prototyping, and physical system integration to create reliable, high-quality hardware solutions that support mission-critical work.

You will help design, fabricate, modify, and assemble custom components and technical systems that power simulation environments, research activities, demonstrations, and internal technical capabilities. Your work will span the lifecycle of physical systems, from prototype and assembly through installation, refinement, and sustainment.

This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys building things, solving practical technical problems, and bringing concepts to life through hands-on craftsmanship and technical ingenuity.

Whether you are fabricating simulator assemblies, refining testbed hardware, supporting technical lab environments, or helping prepare systems for demonstrations, your work will directly enable operators, researchers, and engineers to train, experiment, and innovate more effectively.

By combining creativity, craftsmanship, and technical problem-solving, you will help Aptima deliver cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate physical systems, technology, and human performance.

Key Responsibilities

This is not a traditional desk-bound design role.

This is a hands-on builder position where technical creativity meets practical execution. You will have the opportunity to help take concepts from idea to reality and directly support the systems that enable national security training, research, and innovation.

If you enjoy solving unusual technical problems, building custom solutions, and working in an environment where no two projects are exactly the same, this role offers an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful impact.

Technical Design & CAD

• Create, modify, and maintain technical drawings, basic models, and design updates using CAD software.
• Translate concepts, sketches, and technical requirements into buildable physical components and assemblies.
• Support design of custom brackets, enclosures, mounts, panels, fixtures, and technical hardware for simulation and research systems.
• Support rapid prototyping and iterative design improvements.

Fabrication & Assembly

• Fabricate, modify, and assemble custom components, simulator hardware, structures, and technical assemblies.
• Operate and maintain fabrication equipment, shop tools, and technical machinery safely and effectively.
• Perform mechanical assembly, fit checks, alignment, and integration of fabricated components into simulator systems, prototypes, and testbeds.
• Build and refine one-off or low-volume technical systems where off-the-shelf solutions may not exist.

Prototype & Technical Environment Support

• Support prototype development and physical technical builds for research, simulation, and demonstration environments.
• Assist with installation, modification, repair, and sustainment of simulator hardware and technical systems.
• Help prepare technical environments, demonstrations, and physical system setups for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with technical logistics, setup, teardown, and optimization of specialized systems and workspaces.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team to work towards project goals and effectively communicate progress to senior stakeholders and customers.
• Partner with engineering, research, and technical teams to transform ideas into reliable physical solutions.
• Collaborate with Information Systems and technical staff to support hardware installations, lab environments, and specialized technical workspaces as needed.
• Contribute practical ideas and build expertise to improve reliability, usability, and maintainability of physical systems.

Documentation & Quality

• Maintain technical documentation, assembly notes, build procedures, and revision records.
• Document modifications, lessons learned, and improvements to support repeatability and knowledge sharing.
• Maintain a strong focus on quality, craftsmanship, organization, and workplace safety.

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in technical fabrication, prototyping, mechanical assembly, simulator systems, technical support, or related technical work.
• Familiarity with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate, modify, and assemble custom technical components and systems.
• Strong hands-on experience using shop tools, fabrication equipment, and technical machinery safely and effectively.
• Experience performing fit checks, alignments, installations, and integration of technical hardware into larger systems.
• Practical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with mechanical or electromechanical systems.
• Strong documentation habits, including build notes, technical procedures, and revision tracking.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across technical disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills and a willingness to take ownership of assigned projects and technical work.
• Eligibility for a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting simulation systems, testbeds, prototypes, or technical research environments.
• Experience with rapid prototyping, fabrication, or custom technical builds.
• Familiarity with electromechanical systems, cable routing, workstation hardware, or physical system integration.
• Prior experience in defense, aerospace, R&D, manufacturing, prototyping, or technical laboratory environments.
• Experience supporting demonstrations, technical environments, or specialized hardware installations.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.