Manufacturing Engineer - Wire Harnessing

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Generous PTO and holidays

Paid parental leave

401(k) plan with company match

Stock options

Life and disability insurance

Pet insurance

Free lunch benefit

Unlimited free drinks and snacks

Job summary

A leading technology company in Texas is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize processes for wire harness assemblies used in autonomous marine vehicles. The role focuses on enhancing production efficiency and product quality while ensuring compliance with industry standards. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and have at least 1 year of experience in manufacturing. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health insurance and retirement plans are offered.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in wire harness or cable assembly manufacturing.
• Experience with crimp validation (pull testing, crimp height measurement).
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for wire harness assemblies.
• Provide technical support for wire harness manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate with design engineering to review harness drawings.

Skills

IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 standards

Lean manufacturing principles

Analytical skills

Electrical schematics interpretation

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Automated wire processing equipment

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state‑of‑the‑art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes for wire harness assemblies that are used in autonomous marine vehicles. This role ensures production efficiency, product quality, cost control, and compliance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 and internal standards. The engineer will serve as the technical liaison between design engineering, quality, supply chain, and production teams to support new product introduction (NPI) and ongoing production operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day technical support for wire harness manufacturing operations (cutting, stripping, crimping, soldering, overmolding, braiding, labeling, continuity testing, etc.).
• Develop and maintain work instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Optimize cycle times, workstation layouts, and material flow using Lean manufacturing principles.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues (e.g., crimp pull failures, misrouting, labeling errors, test failures).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve first‑pass yield (FPY), reduce scrap, and increase throughput.
• Collaborate with design engineering to review harness drawings, schematics, and BOMs for manufacturability (DFM/DFA).
• Develop process flows, tooling requirements, and capital equipment justifications for new harness builds.
• Design and implement assembly fixtures, test boards, and poka‑yoke devices.
• Support pilot builds and production ramp‑up activities.
• Specify and validate tooling and wire processing equipment.
• Ensure calibration and preventative maintenance schedules for assembly and testing equipment.
• Validate quality through testing, measurement, and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 standards and internal quality requirements.
• Analyze production and quality data to identify trends and systemic issues.
• Participate in internal and external audits as needed.
• Maintain manufacturing documentation in ERP/MES systems.
• Generate and update routings, labor standards, and cost models.
• Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and configuration control.
• Work closely with Quality, Supply Chain, Production Supervisors, and Design Engineering.
• Provide technical training and guidance to operators and technicians.
• Support supplier development related to harness components and subassemblies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in wire harness or cable assembly manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 standards.
• Experience with crimp validation (pull testing, crimp height measurement, microsectioning).
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in interpreting electrical schematics and harness drawings.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in vehicle, aerospace, robotics, or defense manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with automated wire processing equipment (e.g., Komax, Schleuniger).
• Six Sigma certification or formal training in structured problem solving (8D, DMAIC).
• Experience with overmolding, shielding, or high‑voltage harness assemblies.
• Knowledge of test equipment for continuity, hipot, and functional validation.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing floor environment with exposure to production equipment.
• Occasional lifting of harness boards and fixtures.
• Hands‑on involvement with tooling, fixtures, and test equipment.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services. Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents.
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check‑ups, orthodontics, and vision care. Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents.
• Time Off: Generous PTO and holidays.
• Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents.
• Competitive Salary: Industry‑standard salaries with opportunities for performance‑based bonuses.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match.
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short‑and‑long‑term disability coverage.
• Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline.
• Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office.

This role requires access to export‑controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.