What are the responsibilities and job description for the Combat Vehicle Shop Technician position at Hanwha Defense USA, Inc.?
Position Title: Shop Technician – Combat Systems Program
Location: Opelika, AL
Travel Required: Minimal (Occasional)
Position Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Responsible for repairing, modifying, and upgrading combat vehicles and their subsystems. Performs installation of modification kits, prototype components, and engineering change packages. Supports prototyping activities including vehicle configuration changes, prototype fit-ups, and engineering development builds. Conducts diagnostics, metalworking, and shop-level maintenance on mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems while working closely with engineers, FSRs, and logistics staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Repair, maintain, and troubleshoot combat vehicle mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and electronic systems.
- Install modification kits, upgrade packages, and engineering change orders.
- Integrate prototype components, experimental hardware, and new technologies for developmental testing.
- Support prototyping efforts including system integration, iterative changes, and component fit-ups.
- Conduct teardown, repair, rebuild, reassembly, and functional testing of subsystems.
- Operate drill presses, bending machines, light machining tools, and other shop equipment.
- Safely operate cranes and forklifts for movement and staging of vehicle components.
- Perform light welding tasks such as component repairs and prototype fabrication.
- Document maintenance actions, configuration changes, prototype installation notes, and test results.
- Support inventory, receiving, tracking, and staging of kits, prototype components, and repair parts.
- Maintain OSHA-compliant safety and support continuous improvement activities.
Required Qualifications
- Technical degree or equivalent military training in electronics, automotive, or mechanical systems.
- Experience repairing combat vehicles or heavy vehicle mechanical/electrical systems.
- Understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic subsystems.
- Ability to read wiring diagrams, schematics, technical manuals, and modification kit installation instructions.
- Experience with diagnostic equipment, machining tools, cranes, forklifts, and welding.
- Ability to support engineering-driven prototyping and iterative system development.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting combat vehicle development, prototyping, or system integration.
- Familiarity with Army technical manuals (TMs), fabrication processes, and DoD sustainment practices.
- Eligible for or holding a DoD security clearance.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and perform physically demanding tasks.
- Comfortable working around heavy vehicles, prototype hardware, machine tools, and energized systems using proper PPE.
Hanwha Defense USA is committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The salary range listed for this position represents a good faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant skills/experience, education and certifications, market conditions, geographic location and internal pay equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for discretionary annual bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation as part of Hanwha Defense USA's total rewards package.
Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.