Amentum is actively recruiting a Launch and Recovery Technician I to support a high-stakes defense mission in the Bahamas. The role is based at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) on Andros Island, one of the Navy's most critical underwater testing facilities in the world.
This is not a typical technician job. It involves working with classified undersea vehicles, military launcher systems, and live ordnance in a remote island environment. Understanding exactly what Amentum expects can make the difference between advancing through the process or getting screened out early.
What Amentum Does and Why This Role Matters
Amentum is a major government services and engineering contractor. The company operates across defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors globally. Landing a role with Amentum means joining a workforce that directly supports U.S. military readiness.
AUTEC is a Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB). It serves as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's largest single team project. The facility provides both deep and shallow water test and training environments for NAVSEA and NAVAIR programs.
The Launch and Recovery Technician I role sits at the operational core of this mission. Technicians physically launch and recover undersea vehicles from vessels and helicopters. Without this function, testing operations at AUTEC cannot proceed.
Core Responsibilities You Need to Understand
Knowing the job duties inside and out helps you speak intelligently during the interview. Amentum expects this technician to handle a wide range of technical and operational tasks. These include:
- Launch and recovery of NAVSEA and NAVAIR undersea vehicles from marine vessels and helicopters
- Mechanical and electrical maintenance on launcher systems including the Telescopic Target Launcher/MK-32, Mod-17 Surface Launcher, MK-146 Helicopter Launcher, MK-59 Torpedo Tube, and Smokey SAM Launchers
- Fire control system operations aboard vessels and helicopters
- Maintenance of hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical equipment both onshore and at sea
- Incoming inspections, preparation, post-run handling, and transport of undersea vehicles
- Operating tractor-trailers, forklifts, and overhead cranes per NAVFAC guidelines
- Rigging heavy equipment and handling hazardous ordnance material up to Class 1.1
The scope of this role is broad. Candidates who can demonstrate experience across multiple of these areas will be viewed more favorably than those with only one specialty.
Minimum Requirements Amentum Will Not Waive
Amentum lists specific non-negotiable requirements for this position. Meeting every single one before applying is essential. The screening process will filter candidates who fall short.
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Two years of launch and recovery, hydraulic, or electronic experience
- Ability to pass drug and alcohol screenings
- Ability to pass DOT medical examinations
- Valid passport and driver's license
- Willingness to reside in a remote location with limited medical facilities
- U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a Secret Clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Government Security Clearance
The clearance requirement alone disqualifies non-citizens. This is a firm legal and contractual requirement tied to the nature of the defense work at AUTEC.
The Skills That Actually Get You Hired
Beyond the minimum requirements, Amentum wants candidates who bring practical, hands-on technical depth. Recruiters and hiring managers will assess your background for specific skill clusters.
Mechanical and Hydraulic Systems Experience
Experience maintaining hydraulic systems is a strong differentiator. Launcher systems at AUTEC rely heavily on hydraulic mechanisms. Candidates with military or maritime hydraulic maintenance backgrounds carry a clear advantage here.
Electrical and Electronic Systems Knowledge
The job requires electrical maintenance across multiple launcher systems. Understanding circuits, wiring, and electronic troubleshooting is critical. Any certifications or documented training in electronics strengthen your application considerably.
Heavy Equipment Operation
Forklift certification, crane operation experience, and tractor-trailer licenses are directly relevant. Amentum specifically references NAVFAC guidelines for these operations. Prior military or commercial experience operating heavy equipment in regulated environments is a major plus.
Ordnance Handling Familiarity
Handling hazardous ordnance material up to Class 1.1 is not something most civilian candidates encounter. Military veterans with ordnance or weapons handling experience from the Navy, Army, or Marine Corps will find this part of the job familiar. That background is highly valued.
How the Amentum Hiring Process Works
Amentum follows a structured hiring process for defense-related positions. Understanding each stage helps you prepare appropriately and avoid common mistakes.
Stage 1: Application and Resume Screening
Recruiters scan applications for the hard requirements first. Your resume needs to clearly show your two years of relevant experience. Use specific job titles, equipment names, and measurable accomplishments rather than vague descriptions.
Stage 2: Recruiter Phone Screen
A recruiter will typically reach out for an initial phone screen. Expect questions about your experience with hydraulics, electrical systems, and heavy equipment. They will also confirm your citizenship status and passport availability at this stage.
Stage 3: Technical and Behavioral Interview
A hiring manager or technical lead will conduct the core interview. Questions will target your hands-on experience with specific systems and your ability to follow strict operational protocols. Behavioral questions about working in remote or high-stakes environments are common.
Stage 4: Background Check and Clearance Processing
After a conditional offer, security clearance processing begins. This involves a detailed background investigation. Any financial issues, foreign contacts, or past legal problems can complicate or delay the process. Being transparent during this stage is critical.
Stage 5: Medical and Drug Screening
DOT medical examinations and drug screenings happen before final onboarding. Both are mandatory and non-negotiable for this position.
Interview Tips Specific to This Role
Generic interview advice will not serve you well here. This position demands technical credibility from the moment you walk into the conversation.
- Name specific equipment you have worked on. Vague answers about "various systems" will not impress technical interviewers. Use model numbers, system names, and maintenance procedures where possible.
- Demonstrate your understanding of safety protocols. NAVORD, NAVFAC, and NAVSEA standards are referenced throughout the job description. Showing awareness of compliance frameworks signals professionalism.
- Be direct about your remote work readiness. Andros Island is geographically isolated. Interviewers want to know you have thought seriously about what living in a remote location with limited medical facilities means for you.
- Highlight any military service prominently. Veterans with relevant Navy, Coast Guard, or Marine technical ratings are extremely competitive for this role. Do not understate your military experience or downplay your clearance history.
- Prepare for scenario-based questions. You may be asked how you would handle a hydraulic failure during a launch operation or how you prioritize maintenance tasks under time pressure.
How to Stand Out from Other Applicants
Competition for defense contractor positions with clearance requirements is intense, but the candidate pool is also narrower than most jobs. Tailoring your resume to match Amentum's exact language from the job posting increases your chances of passing automated screening systems.
Obtaining or renewing a valid passport before applying signals logistical readiness. Amentum cannot place you at AUTEC without one. Arriving at the interview already passport-ready removes a potential friction point.
Researching AUTEC specifically shows genuine interest in the mission rather than just the paycheck. Candidates who understand what AUTEC does, why it matters to U.S. naval readiness, and what the day-to-day environment looks like tend to make stronger impressions on hiring managers who are themselves invested in the mission.
Amentum values reliability and operational discipline above personality or polish. Demonstrating a clean professional record, consistent employment history, and a clear technical skill set will carry far more weight than a flashy resume design or rehearsed buzzwords.
You can apply for the Amentum Launch and Recovery Technician I position directly at this link.
