Complex Wire Harness Builder

Sterling Technologies Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Sterling Technologies in Wixom, MI is seeking an experienced Complex Wire Harness Builder to assemble multi-branch, high-circuit-count harnesses from prints and diagrams. You will lay out, route, crimp, solder, and seal components, then test and sign off before shipping.

This on-site role emphasizes quality-first production and mentoring newer builders. The ideal candidate has 3+ years of hands-on harness experience, IPC/WHMA-A-620 knowledge, and proficiency with hand tools.

Qualifications

• 3+ years building wire harnesses or cable assemblies in production.
• Reads wiring diagrams, harness drawings, schematics, BOMs and work instructions.
• Skilled with hand and bench tools: strippers, crimpers, soldering irons, heat guns.
• Knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Build complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies to harness drawings, wiring diagrams, bills of materials and work instructions.
• Lay out, route and bundle wires on harness boards; set breakouts, branch lengths, splices, grommets, clips and strain relief to print dimensions.
• Cut, strip, crimp, solder and terminate wire from small-gauge signal circuits to heavy-gauge power cable; apply heat shrink, labels, braided sleeving, convoluted loom and tape wraps.
• Populate and seal connectors (Deutsch, TE/AMP, Aptiv, Molex, circular and similar), insert terminals to the correct cavity, and verify locks, seals and cavity plugs.
• Operate semi-automatic equipment: crimp presses, wire strippers, wire twisters, ultrasonic splicers and heat-shrink equipment; check crimp height and pull force on first pieces.
• Run continuity, insulation-resistance and functional tests on test fixtures; troubleshoot and repair failures from the schematic.
• Inspect in-process and finished harnesses to IPC/WHMA-A-620 and customer requirements; complete travelers, inspection records and quality paperwork.
• Build first articles and prototypes with engineering; recommend fixes to drawings, work instructions and board layouts.
• Coach newer harness builders and check their work when asked.
• Keep the work area clean and organized (5S) and follow all safety and PPE requirements.

Skills

Wire harness building

Wiring diagrams literacy

Hand tools proficiency

Attendance reliability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

IPC/WHMA-A-620 knowledge

Soldering irons

Multimeters

Crimpers

Job description

Complex Wire Harness Builder

Sterling Technologies · Wixom, MI
| Position | Complex Wire Harness Builder
| Company | Sterling Technologies
| Location | Wixom, MI (on-site)
| Job type | Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
| Shift | 6:00 AM–2:30 PM, Mon–Fri
| Pay | $22.00 to $25.00 per hour, based on experience

About Sterling Technologies

Sterling Technologies has designed and built custom electrical and electromechanical assemblies for nearly five decades. From our Wixom, MI facility we produce wire harnesses, power distribution and control assemblies, control panels and printed circuit board assemblies for aerospace, military, medical, automotive, and on- and off-highway equipment makers, and we are a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to the heavy equipment and automotive industries. We are certified to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949, and we are growing. The shop is collaborative and team-oriented, and we hire people who want a long-term home, not a stopover. Learn more at sterlingtechnologiesinc.com.

The role

The Complex Wire Harness Builder builds our most involved harnesses: multi-branch, high-circuit-count assemblies for heavy equipment cabs, chassis and control systems. These harnesses often carry shielded and twisted-pair circuits, splices, braided or convoluted loom, and sealed connectors with dozens of cavities. You work from harness drawings, wiring diagrams and work instructions on a layout board, build the harness end to end, test it, and sign off the paperwork before it ships. This is a hands-on production role for an experienced builder who can take a complex print and a kitted order and turn out a harness that passes the first time. You will also help newer builders and flag drawing or process problems to engineering.

What you will do

• Build complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies to harness drawings, wiring diagrams, bills of materials and work instructions.
• Lay out, route and bundle wires on harness boards; set breakouts, branch lengths, splices, grommets, clips and strain relief to print dimensions.
• Cut, strip, crimp, solder and terminate wire from small-gauge signal circuits to heavy-gauge power cable; apply heat shrink, labels, braided sleeving, convoluted loom and tape wraps.
• Populate and seal connectors (Deutsch, TE/AMP, Aptiv, Molex, circular and similar), insert terminals to the correct cavity, and verify locks, seals and cavity plugs.
• Operate semi-automatic equipment: crimp presses, wire strippers, wire twisters, ultrasonic splicers and heat-shrink equipment; check crimp height and pull force on first pieces.
• Run continuity, insulation-resistance and functional tests on test fixtures; troubleshoot and repair failures from the schematic.
• Inspect in-process and finished harnesses to IPC/WHMA-A-620 and customer requirements; complete travelers, inspection records and quality paperwork.
• Build first articles and prototypes with engineering; recommend fixes to drawings, work instructions and board layouts.
• Coach newer harness builders and check their work when asked.
• Keep the work area clean and organized (5S) and follow all safety and PPE requirements.

What you need

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3+ years building wire harnesses or cable assemblies in a production setting, including multi-branch harnesses built on a layout board.
• Reads and works from wiring diagrams, harness drawings, schematics, BOMs and work instructions without supervision.
• Skilled with hand and bench tools: strippers, hand and press crimpers, soldering irons, heat guns, pull testers, multimeters and continuity testers.
• Working knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements for crimps, solder joints, splices, strain relief and routing.
• Accurate wire color identification and the dexterity to work with fine-gauge wire and small connector cavities.
• Reliable attendance and a steady, quality-first pace through a full shift.

Nice to have

• IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification (CIS or CIT), or willingness to earn it with us.
• Experience with heavy equipment, automotive, aerospace or military harnesses, including sealed connector systems and shielded or braided circuits.
• Ultrasonic splicing, overmolding or potting experience.
• Experience building first articles or prototypes from engineering prints.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 quality systems and 5S.
• Lead or trainer experience on a harness line.

Work environment and physical requirements

This is an on-site production role in our Wixom manufacturing facility, working at harness boards and assembly benches alongside production equipment. You should be able to:

• Stand or sit at a harness board for extended periods and perform repetitive hand assembly while holding quality.
• Lift up to 30 pounds occasionally, including harness boards, bins and finished assemblies.
• Use fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for small terminals and connector cavities.
• Distinguish wire colors accurately.
• Wear required PPE, including safety glasses.

Pay and benefits

Pay: $22.00 to $25.00 per hour, based on experience.

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Sterling Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.