Bench Technician Associate (Contract)

latitude; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Latitude AI, a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, seeks a Bench Technician Associate for a 12-month contract. You will install, upgrade, and service bench hardware and software, perform diagnostics, and support cross-functional teams across sites. Strong hardware, wiring, and schematic skills are essential.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED with relevant experience; an associate or bachelor’s in engineering tech is a plus. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate/bachelor's preferred.
• Experience with hardware installation, wiring, and schematics.
• Ability to communicate clearly and document work.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for trainings/meetings.
• Comfort with safety-conscious, procedure-driven work.

Responsibilities

• Install, upgrade, and modify bench hardware and software components.
• Perform diagnostic triage and support for bench fleets.
• Follow wiring, schematics, and assembly instructions accurately.
• Validate signal paths and network functions across sites.
• Document events and manage bench health using tools.
• Track inventory and maintain a clean workspace.

Skills

Computer hardware

Server rack installation

Wire management

Schematics reading

Communication skills

Google Suite

Travel flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred

Engineering Technology degree preferred

Tools

CAN bus operation

Networking basics

Automotive electronics basics

Job description

Latitude AI develops automated driving technologies, including L3, for Ford vehicles at scale. We're driven by the opportunity to reimagine what it's like to drive and make travel safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable for everyone.

When you join the Latitude team, you'll work alongside leading experts across machine learning and robotics, cloud platforms, mapping, sensors and compute systems, test operations, systems and safety engineering - all dedicated to making a real, positive impact on the driving experience for millions of people.

As a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, we operate independently to develop automated driving technology at the speed of a technology startup. Latitude is headquartered in Pittsburgh with engineering centers in Dearborn, Mich., and Palo Alto, Calif.

Meet the team:

The Bench Technician Associate will provide installation, upgrade, and engineering change requirements of all components including hardware and software. You will also be responsible for advanced diagnostic and triage support, technology expertise and end of line (EOL) commissioning support for the daily operation of the bench fleet. The role will perform independent project tasks and collaborate with a cross-functional team of internal and external customers and teammates.

This contract will be 12 months in length.

What you'll do:

• Communicate with cross functioning teams on advanced architecture, sensor and compute control systems
• Follow provided work instructions such as tech papers, schematics, 2D and 3D prints, cut sheets, sample harnesses
• Assemble, modify, and repair wiring harnesses from schematics, using hand tools and proper assembly and rework techniques
• Validate signal path, network functionality, configuration management and scheduling mechanisms are functional across various sites and platforms
• Work individually or in small teams to complete daily triage and engineering requirements
• Document configuration management, diagnostic and triage events and bench health using various systems and automated tools
• Track inventory of project parts and supplies
• Maintain clean and organized workspace

What you'll need to succeed:

Extensive knowledge of computer hardware, server rack installation and wire management techniques

High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two years of employment experience required. Associate or Bachelor's Degree preferred

Able to create, modify, and install wiring systems and harnesses

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of Google suite including Sheets, Docs and Slides

Expect to potentially travel up to 20% of the time for trainings and/or team meetings

Experience in a professional work environment where safety, honesty, procedure and/or software testing are emphasized

Strong interest in technology and software and the ability to adapt to its ever-changing developments and improvements

Ability to work in close quarters in a professional manner for extended periods of time

Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision

Nice to have:

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology or similar
• Experience with flashing and re-flashing automotive control modules and CAN (Controller Area Network) bus operation
• Basic knowledge of networking technology and troubleshooting

Learn more about Latitude's team, mission and career opportunities at lat.ai !

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.