Hardware Technician

Hardware Technician – Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering is a platform innovation company that builds companies that change the world. The engineering team works on advanced aerial and ground‑based hardware systems.

We are seeking a hands‑on Hardware Technician to support design, assembly, and testing of advanced systems across our aerial platform and ground‑based hardware. The role demands ability to move between detailed fabrication work (CNC machining, 3D printing, composite layup, wiring) and systems‑level assembly, maintaining exacting standards in a fast‑moving, prototype‑heavy environment. The candidate will be the technical backbone enabling rapid iteration, bold testing, and field‑ready hardware.

• Assemble, wire, and test mechanical design structures and subsystems, including composite and foam structures.
• Fabricate and test custom mechanical components using CNC machining, 3D printing (FDM and SLA), hand tooling, and composite lay‑up techniques, working from engineering drawings and CAD files (STEP, DXF, STL).
• Support R&D of mechanical and kinetic designs of custom fixtures, actuation mechanisms, and specialized equipment enclosures.
• Build and assemble wiring harnesses, power distribution systems, low‑voltage subsystems, and electronic subassemblies.
• Troubleshoot mechanical failures and fabrication issues, making real‑time decisions to resolve problems and maintain build schedules.
• Maintain shop equipment, manage parts inventory, and track component status to ensure smooth build workflows and on‑time hardware availability.
• Inspect finished assemblies for quality, dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and compliance with engineering specifications using precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges, CMM as needed).
• Collaborate with engineering leads to optimize designs for manufacturability, cost, and field reliability; provide feedback on feasibility and manufacturing constraints early in the design cycle.
• Document fabrication processes, maintain build logs, and capture lessons learned to establish repeatable manufacturing procedures and support scaling.
• Support field deployment preparation, including equipment packing, pre‑deployment validation testing, and travel to campaign sites to provide on‑site technical support.

• Associate’s degree, vocational/trade certification, or equivalent hands‑on training in mechanical technology, manufacturing technology, electronics, or a closely related discipline; extensive practical experience may substitute for formal credentials.
• 2–5 years of hands‑on fabrication and assembly experience in a manufacturing, prototyping, R&D, or machine shop environment.
• Proficiency with CNC machining operations (setup, feeds and speeds, tool selection, work holding, G‑code basics); experience with manual lathes or mills is a plus.
• Experience with FDM 3D printing including slicing, material selection, print troubleshooting, and post‑processing; familiarity with Fusion 360 or similar CAD/CAM software.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and assembly documentation; familiarity with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges).
• Experience with electronics assembly, soldering, wiring harnesses, and basic electrical troubleshooting.
• Comfortable working in a small, fast‑moving startup environment where priorities shift quickly and resourcefulness is as important as technical skill.
• Organized and detail‑oriented, with a track record of maintaining clean shop environments, clear parts logs, and accurate build documentation.
• Prior exposure to aerospace/defense prototyping environments, RC plane building or unmanned aircraft, atmospheric instrumentation, PCB prototyping, and assembly is a significant plus.
• A builder’s mindset — someone who takes pride in the quality and reliability of what they make, and is energized by the challenge of building hardware that will be deployed in demanding real‑world environments.

Boulder, CO

Salary range: $61,000 – $77,100 per year. Benefits include healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits, and a broad range of other benefits.

Flagship Pioneering is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies:
Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates.