Electrical Engineering Technician [AQ-25209]

Aquent; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent Talent seeks a hands-on lab technician to design and build wiring harnesses for hardware-in-the-loop test benches and manage the lab’s day-to-day operations. You will assemble racks, connect compute nodes and switches, manage cables, and uphold strict ESD and safety protocols.

The role emphasizes wiring diagram interpretation, stock management, and collaborative troubleshooting with test and validation engineers to ensure reliable performance of autonomous automotive hardware.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a lab, bench tech, or data center hardware role, with electronics or electromechanical training.
• Ability to interpret wiring diagrams and pinout tables, select connectors, and crimp/terminate automotive-grade connectors.
• Experience with rack building, cabling, and lab stock management.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct wiring harnesses for HIL test benches and rack builds, selecting connectors and shielding for signal integrity.
• Perform racking, stacking, and wiring of test assets, installing compute nodes, switches, and power units with precise cable management.
• Manage day-to-day lab operations: inventory, kitting, stocking, asset tagging, and safety compliance.
• Diagnose hardware faults and collaborate with engineers to reproduce CI/test issues, documenting findings clearly.
• Maintain build docs: pinouts, BOMs, wiring diagrams, rack elevations, and revision history.

Skills

Wiring harness design

Lab/bench hardware expertise

Cable management

ESD and electrical safety

Hand tools and test equipment

Rack mounting and cabling

Automation lab operations

Education

Associate degree or vocational/technical electronics cert

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Power supplies

Job description

Aquent is proud to partner with a pioneering company at the forefront of autonomous technology. This innovative 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. Join a team that is making a tangible impact on the future of safe, autonomous mobility.

Are you ready to dive into a pivotal role, directly shaping the validation of groundbreaking autonomous systems? As a key member of our engineering team, you will be a critical contributor, 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. This includes selecting appropriate connectors, wire gauges, and shielding for optimal signal integrity and durability, as well as 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. You will 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.