R&d Engineering Technician

Actalent; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Livonia, MI is seeking an R&D Engineering Technician on 2nd shift to support QA across self-driving components and sub-assemblies. You will work with cross-functional teams to diagnose quality issues and ensure safe, reliable manufacturing.

You will read electrical schematics, use gauges and test equipment, and help implement automotive quality practices on the production floor and in the technical center.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in STEM or engineering required.
• 3+ years in automotive quality manufacturing or related field.
• Experience debugging electronic and cable assemblies.
• Ability to read electrical/mechanical drawings and schematics.
• Experience with CAN/Vector for vehicle diagnostics is a plus.
• Familiarity with quality tools and problem-solving in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Support QA activities for self-driving components and sub-assemblies.
• Apply quality tools to identify and resolve issues and risks.
• Debug complex electronic assemblies and cable assemblies using drawings.
• Interpret schematics to identify discrepancies and non-conformances.
• Use gauges and test equipment to verify voltages and resistances.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure quality standards.
• Contribute to R&D quality by providing manufacturing feedback.
• Support implementation of automotive quality practices in manufacturing.
• Document findings and corrective actions for traceability.
• Represent Actalent at customer sites during production activities.
• Assist in setup/verification of self-driving kits on semi trucks.

Skills

Quality assurance

Electrical testing

Reading schematics

Cross-functional collaboration

Automotive quality

Debugging electronics

Education

Associate degree in STEM or engineering

Tools

CAN

Vector tools

Gauges & test equipment

Job description

Job Title: R&D Engineering Technician 2nd ShiftJob Description

The R&D Engineering Technician ensures high-quality standards across manufacturing and supply chain operations in support of the development and production of self-driving technology. This role focuses on maintaining quality for advanced driver systems and related sub-assemblies, working closely with cross-functional teams to identify, investigate, and eliminate quality issues, risks, and defects. The technician applies strong attention to detail, a quality-focused mindset, and technical expertise in electronics and automotive manufacturing to help deliver safe, reliable, and scalable self-driving solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support quality assurance activities for manufacturing and supply chain processes related to self-driving system components and sub-assemblies.

• Apply quality tools and methodologies to identify, analyze, and resolve quality problems, issues, and risks in automotive and electro-mechanical manufacturing.

• Debug complex electronic assemblies and manufacturing cable assemblies, using electrical and mechanical drawings and schematics to diagnose and correct issues.

• Interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings to identify discrepancies, potential defects, and non-conformances in production and assembly.

• Use gauges, measuring devices, and test equipment to measure voltages, resistances, and other critical parameters to verify product quality and performance.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal quality teams and external customer stakeholders throughout the manufacturing process to ensure alignment on quality standards and corrective actions.

• Contribute to R&D quality efforts by providing feedback from manufacturing to engineering teams, helping refine designs, processes, and test procedures.

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of automotive quality engineering practices and processes in a manufacturing environment.

• Document findings, test results, and corrective actions clearly and accurately to maintain traceability and support root cause analysis.

• Represent the organization professionally at the customers manufacturing site, acting as a key technical and quality contact during production activities.

• Assist in the setup, verification, and validation of self-driving kits and sub-assemblies installed on semi trucks to ensure compliance with quality and performance requirements.

• Participate in problem-solving activities and quality reviews, leveraging electrical, automotive, and R&D quality knowledge to drive robust solutions.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree in a STEM field or an engineering degree.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in quality automotive manufacturing, electro-mechanical assembly operations, robotics, or an equivalent field.

• Hands-on experience debugging complex electronic assemblies and manufacturing cable assemblies.

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with internal quality teams and external customer teams throughout the manufacturing process.

• Strong ability to read, interpret, and understand electrical and mechanical drawings and electrical schematics, and to identify issues based on these documents.

• Proficiency in using gauges, measuring devices, and test equipment to measure voltages and resistances.

• Knowledge of quality tools and quality problem-solving techniques in an automotive or manufacturing context.

• Experience in automotive quality engineering and R&D quality environments.

• Solid understanding of electrical systems and components used in automotive and electro-mechanical assemblies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with CAN and Vector tools for vehicle or system communication and diagnostics.

• Linux operating system experience, particularly in a testing, diagnostic, or engineering environment.

• Background in electrical engineering or related disciplines supporting automotive and self-driving technologies.

• Familiarity with quality standards and best practices in automotive and robotics manufacturing.

• Strong attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset, with the ability to work independently and as part of cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing environment at a customer facility in Livonia, working on 2nd shift. The technician operates within an active production setting where self-driving kits and sub-assemblies are installed on semi trucks, using electrical test equipment, gauges, and measurement devices as part of daily activities. In addition to the manufacturing floor, a nearby technical center is available for meetings, paperwork, and focused work requiring privacy. The environment involves close collaboration with production, quality, and engineering personnel and requires adherence to standard safety protocols and appropriate industrial attire suitable for a manufacturing facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Livonia, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/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)

• 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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Livonia, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Livonia,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.