Electrical Engineering Technician

Skill; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent Talent is partnering with a leading autonomous technology company to hire an Electrical Engineering Technician. You will craft wiring harnesses for HIL test benches, rack and wire critical assets, and manage everyday lab operations to ensure reliability of test environments.

You will diagnose hardware issues, collaborate with validation engineers, and maintain comprehensive build documentation including BOMs and pinouts. This role emphasizes hands-on hardware in a fast-moving lab setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a lab/bench hardware role with electronics focus
• Wiring diagrams and pinout tables proficiency
• Experience rack/cabling servers and network gear
• Lab stockroom management and inventory control

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and test precision wiring harnesses for HIL test benches
• Rack, stack, and wire compute nodes, switches, and power units per layout diagrams
• Manage day-to-day lab operations: kitting, stocking, tagging, and safety protocols
• Diagnose hardware faults; collaborate with test/validation engineers on CI/test runs
• Maintain build docs: BOMs, pinouts, wiring diagrams, rack elevations, revision history

Skills

Wiring harness design

HIL test benches

Rack and cabling

Lab operations

ESD safety

Soldering/crimping

Tools & measurement

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Education

Associate degree or technical certificate in electronics/electromechanical technology

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Power supplies

Crimping tools

Torque tools

Job description

Overview

Placement Type:

Temporary

Salary:

$41.18-45.75 Hourly

up to $45.75/hr

Start Date:

Oct 6, 2026

Aquent is partnering with a pioneering company at the forefront of autonomous technology, where innovation drives the future of transportation. This organization is dedicated to developing cutting-edge autonomy hardware and software, creating the foundational infrastructure that validates and ensures the safety and reliability of next-generation systems. Your expertise in this pivotal role will directly shape the validation of groundbreaking autonomous systems, making a tangible impact on the future of safe, autonomous mobility.

We are seeking a highly skilled Electrical Engineering Technician to step into a critical role, directly shaping the validation of groundbreaking autonomous systems. As a key contributor to the engineering team, you will be instrumental in building and maintaining the essential physical infrastructure that underpins advanced sensor emulation and test environments. Your hands-on expertise, from crafting intricate wiring harnesses to setting up sophisticated hardware-in-the-loop test benches, will ensure the robust performance and reliability of next-generation automotive systems. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of vital lab operations, drive efficiency, and make a profound impact on the future of autonomous technology.

What You Will Do

• Design and construct precision wiring harnesses for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test benches and rack builds, translating schematics into detailed pinout diagrams, selecting appropriate connectors, wire gauges, and shielding for optimal signal integrity and durability. This includes cutting, stripping, crimping, terminating, and thoroughly testing each harness for continuity, shorts, and correct pinout.
• Execute the racking, stacking, and wiring of critical test assets, installing compute nodes, network switches, and power units according to precise layout diagrams. Efficiently run and organize power and data cables, ensuring meticulous labeling for streamlined tracking and maintenance.
• Manage comprehensive day-to-day lab operations, including kitting and staging parts for upcoming builds, maintaining accurate inventory of connectors, wire, rack hardware, and consumables, and proactively reordering stock. Responsibilities also include tracking asset tags and serial numbers, ensuring organized benches and kitting stations, calibrating tools, and rigorously enforcing ESD and electrical safety protocols.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware faults, troubleshooting issues such as faulty cables, failed power supply units (PSUs), and loose connections. Collaborate with test and validation engineers to reproduce issues identified in continuous integration (CI) or manual test runs, escalating complex failures with clear and concise findings.
• Maintain up-to-date build documentation, including pinout tables, Bills of Materials (BOMs), wiring diagrams, rack elevations, and comprehensive build documentation, complete with revision history and known issues.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a lab, bench technician, or data center hardware role, complemented by an associate's degree or vocational/technical certification in electronics or electromechanical technology. Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in lieu of formal credentials.
• Proven expertise in wiring harness design and construction, including the ability to create and interpret wiring diagrams and pinout tables, select appropriate connectors and wire gauges, and proficiently crimp/terminate automotive-grade connectors (e.g., Molex, Amphenol, Rosenberger), along with backshell assembly and strain relief.
• Demonstrated experience in racking and cabling servers and network equipment, encompassing structured cabling, effective cable management, and power distribution, with the ability to work independently from rack elevation drawings.
• A strong track record of successfully managing or maintaining a lab, test floor, or hardware stockroom, including kitting builds, managing consumable and parts inventory, and independently organizing shared workspaces.
• Proficiency with a range of hand tools, torque tools, crimpers, and essential bench equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power supplies.
• Solid working knowledge of AC/DC electrical safety principles and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) handling best practices.
• Ability to lift and safely move rack equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Direct experience with automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs), embedded systems, or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test benches.
• Proficiency in board-level Surface Mount Technology (SMT) rework, including components down to 0402 (and occasionally 0201), as well as Ball Grid Array (BGA) rework.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification or equivalent training demonstrating expertise in harness workmanship standards.
• Familiarity with harness design/CAD tools, 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks or 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) CATIA, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) within 3DX.
• Comfort with the Linux command line for basic host verification (e.g., ping, SSH, checking service status) and foundational scripting skills (e.g., Python/Bash) for executing simple bring-up or test scripts.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

#LI-KR2