Associate Component Engineer

Protingent; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plan options

Education/certification reimbursement

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Administered 401k plan

Job summary

Protingent is seeking an Associate Component Engineer for a contract role in Sunnyvale, CA. The candidate will support component-level testing, data collection, and analysis to evaluate performance and tooling qualifications.

The role requires hands-on testing, strong technical aptitude, and the ability to work with Design, Supplier, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to drive issue resolution and improve processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or technical discipline.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to understand mechanical systems and component interactions.
• Experience with data collection, data entry, and basic analytical techniques.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including data organization, charting, and basic statistical analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write clear technical work instructions and procedural documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with remote teams and external suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Comfortable performing repetitive hands-on testing activities for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Execute detailed component and assembly-level testing according to engineering protocols and test methods.
• Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain mechanical test fixtures, force measurement systems, and laboratory equipment.
• Collect, document, and organize test data using spreadsheets, databases, and laboratory tracking systems.
• Perform basic data analysis to identify trends, variation, anomalies, and potential performance concerns.
• Generate clear summaries, charts, and technical reports to support engineering decision-making.
• Author, revise, and maintain technical work instructions, test procedures, and equipment operating instructions.
• Support qualification of new and replacement tooling through component-level testing and analysis.
• Evaluate component interactions across multiple configurations to assess product performance and manufacturing variation.
• Collaborate with engineers to support root cause investigations and corrective action activities.
• Communicate testing progress, observations, results, and open issues with local and remote cross-functional engineering teams.
• Interface directly with suppliers to coordinate testing activities, communicate results, and support issue resolution.
• Maintain laboratory organization, calibration records, equipment readiness, and compliance with quality requirements.
• Follow all applicable safety, quality system, and documentation requirements.

Skills

Data collection

Excel proficiency

Technical writing

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title

Associate Component Engineer

Position Description

Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Associate Component Engineer with our client located in Sunnyvale, CA.

Job Description

The Associate Component Engineer supports component-level testing, analysis, and evaluation activities for surgical instrument components and assemblies. This role is responsible for executing detailed mechanical testing, developing and maintaining technical work instructions, collecting and analyzing test data, and communicating findings to engineering teams and suppliers. The successful candidate will work closely with Design Engineering, Supplier Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality teams to evaluate component performance, support tooling qualifications, and investigate product-related issues. This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to perform repetitive testing activities while maintaining high levels of accuracy and data integrity.

Job Responsibilities

• Execute detailed component and assembly-level testing according to engineering protocols and test methods.
• Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain mechanical test fixtures, force measurement systems, and laboratory equipment.
• Collect, document, and organize test data using spreadsheets, databases, and laboratory tracking systems.
• Perform basic data analysis to identify trends, variation, anomalies, and potential performance concerns.
• Generate clear summaries, charts, and technical reports to support engineering decision-making.
• Author, revise, and maintain technical work instructions, test procedures, and equipment operating instructions.
• Support qualification of new and replacement tooling through component-level testing and analysis.
• Evaluate component interactions across multiple configurations to assess product performance and manufacturing variation.
• Collaborate with engineers to support root cause investigations and corrective action activities.
• Communicate testing progress, observations, results, and open issues with local and remote cross-functional engineering teams.
• Interface directly with suppliers to coordinate testing activities, communicate results, and support issue resolution.
• Maintain laboratory organization, calibration records, equipment readiness, and compliance with quality requirements.
• Follow all applicable safety, quality system, and documentation requirements.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or another technical discipline.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to understand mechanical systems and component interactions.
• Experience with data collection, data entry, and basic analytical techniques.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including data organization, charting, and basic statistical analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write clear technical work instructions and procedural documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with remote teams and external suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Comfortable performing repetitive hands-on testing activities for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive testing and assembly activities throughout the workday.
• Frequent sitting, standing, reaching, and handling of components and test equipment.
• Ability to safely operate laboratory and testing equipment.
• Ability to use computers and data entry systems for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move components, fixtures, and testing equipment as required.
• Ability to work effectively in an ergonomically designed laboratory environment.

Nice To Have

• Experience supporting engineering laboratories, manufacturing operations, product development, quality engineering, supplier engineering, or validation testing.
• Basic understanding of statistics, including concepts such as normal distributions, normality assessment, and process capability.
• Familiarity with Cp, Cpk, and basic statistical data interpretation.
• Understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering concepts—including force, friction, tolerance stack-up, dimensional variation, and component interactions.
• Experience using laboratory or metrology equipment such as force gauges, calipers, digital indicators, test fixtures, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience developing test methods, work instructions, or engineering documentation.

Job Details

• Job Type: Contract
• Pay Rate: $40- $46/hr.
• Location: Sunnyvale, CA
• Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO) and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent

Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation - from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.