Prototype Technician

Actalent; Adrian (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Wire Harness Technician to launch in-house harness manufacturing. You will build production and pilot harnesses, read wiring diagrams, and develop a robust quality control/testing process in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Electrical teams.

You will lead 12V harness assembly, ensure fit and function, document procedures, and help establish the new harness cell workflow in Adrian, MI. This onboarding role supports both production and prototype builds.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building wire harnesses (12V automotive, upfitting, or similar).
• Ability to read wiring diagrams, schematics, and build instructions.
• Experience with harness testing and quality control, including continuity checks and inspection criteria.
• Understanding of automotive electrical systems, 12V circuits, and related components.
• Strong documentation skills for test procedures and build logs.

Responsibilities

• Build wire harnesses for production and pilot programs.
• Interpret wiring diagrams, schematics and build instructions.
• Crimp, strip, route, tape, terminate and test 12V harnesses.
• Validate fit, form and function in vehicle applications.
• Develop and implement an end-to-end quality control process with QA/Engineering.
• Establish testing methods and inspect records; maintain build logs.
• Assist in workflows for new harness cell; time studies and evaluations.
• Identify and implement 5S/continuous improvement in harness area.
• Collaborate with Electrical team to balance workloads and support evaluations.
• Participate in pilot builds, engineering reviews and production readiness.

Skills

Harness building

Read wiring diagrams

Quality control

Automotive electrical systems

Documentation of test procedures

Job description

Job Title: Wire Harness TechnicianJob Description

The Wire Harness Technician will play a pivotal role in launching the company's first in-house wire harness manufacturing initiative. This position is responsible for building wire harnesses for production and pilot programs, developing a quality control and testing process, and supporting Engineering, Quality, and Electrical teams during prototype and validation activities.

Responsibilities

• Build wire harnesses for production needs and prototype harnesses for pilot vehicles.
• Interpret and work from wiring diagrams, schematics, and build instructions.
• Crimp, strip, route, tape, terminate, and test 12V harnesses using industry-standard tools and techniques.
• Validate fit, form, and function of harnesses in vehicle applications.
• Develop and implement an end-to-end quality control process in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Establish testing methods, document inspection standards, and maintain accurate build records.
• Assist in developing workflows for the new harness build cell, performing time studies and process evaluations.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement changes, maintaining 5S standards in the harness area.
• Collaborate with the Electrical Team to balance workloads and support Engineering and Quality with various evaluations.
• Participate in pilot builds, engineering reviews, and production readiness activities.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience building wire harnesses (12V automotive, upfitting, or similar).
• Ability to read wiring diagrams, schematics, and work instructions.
• Experience with harness testing and quality control, including continuity checks and inspection criteria.
• Understanding of automotive electrical systems, 12V circuits, and related components.
• Strong documentation skills for test procedures and build logs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing a new manufacturing process or launching a new product line.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience building prototype harnesses or pilot-phase components.
• Exposure to supplier cost comparisons or make-vs-buy analysis.
• Knowledge of upfitting or vehicle modification operations.

Work Environment

This role is based in a newly established harness cell, where you will help set up workflow, quality checks, and layout. The work environment includes hands-on tasks such as crimping, routing, assembly, testing, and documentation. You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Electrical teams in a startup-like manufacturing setting that requires flexibility, problem-solving, and experimentation. The position supports both production needs and prototype/pilot builds for new vehicle programs. You are expected to follow and maintain 5S and safe work practices. The work schedule is 1st shift, 8-5 PM with a flexible start time, allowing you to begin as early as 7 AM.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Adrian, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical
• dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Adrian,MI.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.