Lead Harness Technician, Hardware Test (R5272)

Shield; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Lead Harness Specialist in Dallas to serve as the technical lead for a harness team. You will fabricate, assemble, test, and troubleshoot wire harnesses for V-BAT and X-BAT, while guiding technicians and setting fabrication standards.

You will define processes, interpret electrical drawings, and ensure production-quality harnesses. This role blends hands-on work with team leadership in a fast-paced hardware environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience building wire harnesses or electrical systems in aerospace/defense/robotics.
• Demonstrated experience leading technicians or acting as a technical lead on hardware builds.
• Strong ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, and drawings.
• Hands-on harness fabrication skills: crimping, soldering, shielding, splicing, labeling, connector assembly.
• Experience with electrical verification: continuity tests, insulation resistance, troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with aerospace workmanship standards and proper documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Build, repair, and validate complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies for V-BAT and X-BAT.
• Lead daily activities of the Hardware Test Harness Team and mentor technicians.
• Improve harness fabrication processes, quality standards, and documentation.
• Interpret schematics and drawings to produce production-quality harnesses.
• Assemble harnesses into test stands and laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoot wiring issues and integration problems for development and production tests.
• Provide manufacturability feedback to engineers and ensure harness serviceability.
• Maintain harness documentation, revisions, bills of materials, and work instructions.
• Coordinate with vendors to meet project schedules.

Skills

Harness fabrication

Electrical schematics

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Quality control

Tools

Capital

Zuken

SolidWorks Electrical

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

As the Lead Harness Specialist, you will serve as the technical lead for the Hardware Test Harness Team, helping establish and grow a dedicated harness capability that supports V-BAT and X-BAT test operations. You will remain deeply involved in the hands-on fabrication, integration, and troubleshooting of wire harnesses and cable assemblies while providing day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and technical direction for a team of harness technicians.

Working closely with Hardware Test, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineering teams, you will help define fabrication standards, improve build processes, ensure product quality, and support the development of reliable test infrastructure. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building high-quality hardware, solving technical challenges, and developing a team while remaining actively engaged in day-to-day execution.

What you'll do:

• Build, modify, repair, and validate complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies supporting Hardware Test systems for V-BAT and X-BAT.
• Lead daily activities for the Hardware Test Harness Team, providing technical guidance, workprioritization, and mentorship to harness technicians.
• Establish and continuously improve harness fabrication processes, quality standards,documentation, and best practices.
• Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, wire lists, and engineeringdrawings to build production-quality harnesses.
• Assemble and integrate harnesses into electrical and electromechanical test stands, fixtures, andlaboratory equipment.
• Perform continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and functional verification to ensureharness quality and reliability.
• Troubleshoot wiring issues, connector failures, and integration problems to support developmentand production test operations.
• Partner with engineers during new test stand development to provide manufacturability feedbackand improve harness serviceability.
• Support configuration management by maintaining harness documentation, revisions, bills ofmaterials, and work instructions.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure materials and components areavailable to meet project schedules.
• Support laboratory operations by responding to emergent issues and performing repairs thatminimize test downtime.
• Foster a culture of craftsmanship, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within theHarness Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience building wire harnesses, cable assemblies, or electrical systems in aerospace,defense, automotive, robotics, or similar industries.
• Demonstrated experience leading technicians or serving as a technical lead on hardware buildactivities.
• Strong ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, andengineering drawings.
• Hands-on experience with harness fabrication techniques including crimping, soldering, shielding,splicing, labeling, and connector assembly.
• Experience performing electrical verification including continuity testing, insulation resistancetesting, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with aerospace-quality workmanship standards and documentation practices.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven history of taking ownership, delivering high-quality work, and collaborating effectively acrossmultidisciplinary teams.
• Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to highstandards, and treating others with respect.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience building harnesses for aerospace, UAV, military, robotics, or autonomous systems.
• Experience supporting hardware test laboratories, manufacturing test equipment, or production testenvironments.
• Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards or equivalent harness manufacturingstandards.
• Experience using harness design or documentation tools such as Capital, Zuken, SolidWorksElectrical, or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Experience creating or improving manufacturing work instructions and build documentation.
• Experience with soldering, machining, or electromechanical assembly.
• Previous experience helping build or scale a technical team.

$36 - $54 an hour

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.