NPI Prototype & Production Assembly Technician

Heads Up Technologies; Addison (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Heads Up Technologies in Addison, Texas is seeking an experienced NPI Assembly Technician to join our production team. You will assemble prototypes, pilot builds, and first‑production units, while collaborating with design and production engineers to ensure manufacturability and quality.

You’ll develop and validate work instructions, support tool and fixture selection, and help transfer products from prototype to sustained production, prioritizing safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in advanced assembly, prototype manufacturing, new-product introduction, or a related technical manufacturing role.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, assembly drawings, bills of materials, schematics, specifications, and work instructions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and proficiency with hand tools, power tools, measuring equipment, and assembly fixtures.
• Demonstrated ability to assemble products with limited or evolving documentation.
• Experience identifying and communicating design, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Ability to document technical processes clearly and accurately.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with engineers, technicians, quality personnel, and production employees.
• Ability to manage changing priorities in a prototype and production environment.

Responsibilities

• Assemble prototypes, engineering units, pilot builds, and early production units using drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and engineering guidance.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to provide hands‑on feedback concerning fit, function, accessibility, component selection, tolerances, and design for manufacturability and assembly.
• Work with Production Engineering to define assembly sequences, tooling, fixtures, equipment, workstation requirements, and standard production methods.
• Identify assembly difficulties, unclear requirements, quality risks, and opportunities to improve safety, quality, cost, and cycle time.
• Document build observations, issues, deviations, rework, and recommended corrective actions.
• Review and validate assembly work instructions, including process steps, photographs, diagrams, inspection points, safety requirements, and critical‑to‑quality characteristics.
• Verify that work instructions accurately reflect the approved product design and can be followed consistently by production personnel.
• Participate in design reviews, build‑readiness reviews, prototype evaluations, root‑cause investigations, and continuous‑improvement activities.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of mechanical, electrical, and process‑related issues during new product builds.
• Assist with process qualification, production trials, first‑article builds, and the transition from prototype to sustained production.
• Recommend and evaluate assembly tools, fixtures, gauges, and error‑proofing methods.
• Train and support production assemblers during product launch and process transfer.
• Maintain accurate build records and follow applicable safety, quality, configuration‑control, and change‑control procedures.
• Handle components, assemblies, tools, and equipment in accordance with company standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Hand tools

Engineering drawings

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Torque tools

Gauges

Job description

Heads Up Technologies in Addison, Texas is seeking an experienced NPI Assembly Technician to join our production team. You will assemble prototypes, pilot builds, and first‑production units, while collaborating with design and production engineers to ensure manufacturability and quality.

You’ll develop and validate work instructions, support tool and fixture selection, and help transfer products from prototype to sustained production, prioritizing safety and efficiency.