Engineering Test Technician Lead

Dcxchol; Pekin (IL); On-site; USD 71,635,200 - 85,962,240; Full time

Job summary

DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. in Pekin, IL, is seeking an Engineering Test Technician Lead to plan, execute, and oversee product testing for military and defense-grade cable assemblies and related electromechanical products.

The role requires hands-on testing, ATP development, and leadership of test technicians, interfacing with Engineering, Quality, and Production to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in electrical/electromechanical testing in defense manufacturing.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and wiring documentation.
• Experience writing ATPs and test instructions.
• Hands-on with environmental and reliability testing methods.
• Proficient with electronic test equipment.
• Experience leading or mentoring technicians.
• Familiar with configuration management and revision standards.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and perform electrical, mechanical, environmental, and functional testing.
• Oversee daily testing activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Train and mentor test technicians; ensure safety protocols.
• Coordinate test schedules and resources.
• Develop ATPs, test methods, and documentation.
• Prepare technical reports and maintain change-controlled docs.
• Interpret schematics and wire lists for troubleshooting.

Skills

Electrical testing

Reading drawings

ATP documentation

Environmental testing

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

QMS compliance

Test equipment

Report writing

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Hypot testers

TDR

Network analyzers

Environmental chambers

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Regular Full-Time Pekin, IL, US

Salary Range: $25.00 To $30.00 Hourly

DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. is a leading source for high performance interconnect products. We design, engineer, and produce cable assemblies, wiring harnesses, conduit assemblies, custom connectors, wire enclosures and much more!

We are privately held American owned small business made up of five (5) vertically integrated manufacturing and assembly divisions, each with their own history, specializations and products.

We are looking for dependable, fast-paced, hard-working individuals with experience as an Engineering Test Technician Lead with the following qualifications and experience:

JOB SUMMARY

The Engineering Test Technician Lead is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing product testing activities for military- and defense-grade cable assemblies, flex circuits, interconnect systems, wired enclosures, custom connectors, conduit assemblies, diagnostic test sets, and related electromechanical products. This role ensures all test operations meet applicable specifications, quality standards, and reliability expectations while supporting continuous improvement across the test function. The Lead will perform hands-on testing, develop test documentation (including ATPs), guide test technicians, and serve as the primary technical interface between Engineering, Quality, and Production for all testing-related matters.

SCHEDULE/COMPENSATION

• Monday through Thursday (4-Day, 40-Hour Workweek)
  • 6:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Possible OT on Friday and/or Saturday as production demands require
• Hourly; Full-Time $25 to 30/HR (Depending on Experience)

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Test Execution & Oversight
  • Lead and perform electrical, mechanical, environmental, and functional testing.
  • Oversee daily testing activities, ensuring accuracy, repeatability, and compliance with internal and customer requirements
  • Train, mentor, and support test technicians; provide direction and ensure adherence to testing standards and safety protocols.
  • Coordinate test schedules and resource allocation to meet production and development timelines.
  • Operate and maintain test equipment such as hipot testers, TDR, oscilloscopes, and environmental chambers.
• Test Development & Documentation
  • Create, revise, and validate ATPs (Assembly Test Procedures), test instructions, and related documentation.
  • Develop new test methods or adapt existing methods to meet program, customer, or regulatory requirements.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports summarizing test setups, results, anomalies, failures, and conclusions.
  • Maintain documentation per configuration control and document management requirements (e.g., revision control, traceability).
  • Interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and wire lists to support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• Analysis & Problem Solving
  • Interpret electronic schematics, wiring diagrams, blueprints, and wire lists to troubleshoot failures.
  • Collaborate with Engineering to analyze root causes and support corrective actions.
  • Recommend test improvements, fixture changes, or process enhancements based on data-driven evaluation.
• Equipment & Test Infrastructure
  • Operate, maintain, and calibrate a wide range of test equipment including (but not limited to):
  • Multimeters, hipot testers, time domain reflectometers (TDR)
  • Network analyzers, oscilloscopes, functional testers
  • Environmental chambers (thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, shock)
  • Support the development of new test fixtures, setups, and tooling.
• Reliability & Qualification Testing
  • Plan, execute, and document qualification and reliability test programs including ATP, ESS, environmental, stress, and endurance testing.
  • Ensure testing complies with military, aerospace, or customer-specific standards (MIL-STD, IPC/WHMA-A-620, etc.).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Engineering, Quality Assurance, Production, and Program Management to ensure test readiness and successful product launch.
  • Provide technical expertise during design reviews (DFM/DFT perspective).
  • Participate in MRB, FRB, and other technical review boards as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• 5–10 years’ experience in electrical/electromechanical testing, preferably in military, aerospace, or defense manufacturing.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and wiring documentation.
• Proven experience and ability writing ATPs, test instructions, or similar technical documentation.
• Hands-on experience with environmental and reliability testing methods.
• Proficiency with electronic test equipment (oscilloscopes, hipot testers, continuity testers, TDR, network analyzers, etc.).
• Prepare and present clear, detailed technical reports.
• Strong troubleshooting skills—capable of identifying root causes of wiring, assembly, and electrical issues.
• Experience leading or mentoring technicians in a test or engineering environment.
• Familiarity with configuration management, document control, and revision standards.
• Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.
• Prior leadership, coordination, or mentoring experience preferred.
• Experience coaching, training, and evaluating technicians.
• Ability to coordinate daily work priorities and communicate status to engineering leadership.
• Experience navigating QMS systems (AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Understanding of traceability and record retention requirements.
• Knowledge of electrical safety, ESD requirements, and safe operation of environmental test equipment.
• Capability to interpret trends, identify performance degradation, and recommend reliability improvements.

This position operates in both office and manufacturing environments. The Test Technician Lead regularly moves between inspection areas and administrative offices to oversee testing operations and provide training. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners, as well as inspection tools in the production area. Work may occasionally involve interaction with customers or government representatives during customer visits or source inspections. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate but may vary depending on production activity. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401K Plan, Life AD&D Insurance
• $25,000 Company Paid Term Life Insurance & Short-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off and Holidays

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization via E‑Verify.

DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with DCX-CHOL Enterprises Inc. is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.