R&D Suspension Technician

Yukon Gear & Axle; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Yukon Gear & Axle in Riverside, CA, seeks a hands-on mechanic to support our R&D team designing, building and testing suspension products for trucks, SUVs and off-road vehicles. You will install prototype parts, disassemble and reassemble vehicles, assist with testing and keep the shop running safely.

This role suits someone who enjoys diagnosing why something works (or not), takes pride in precise, clean work, and wants to move products from prototype to production.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on automotive mechanic experience, ideally on suspension, steering or off-road vehicles.
• Solid grasp of suspension systems and geometry (IFS, solid axles, coilovers, leaf springs)
• Comfortable with precision measuring tools: calipers, angle finders, torque wrenches, tape measures.
• Can read basic technical drawings, install instructions and torque specs.
• Basic computer skills for logging test data and photos (Excel or Google Sheets, email)
• Valid driver's license and a clean driving record (required to drive test vehicles)
• Detail-oriented, reliable, and able to follow procedures exactly

Responsibilities

• Install, remove and adjust prototype and production suspension systems: coilovers, shocks, control arms, lift kits, steering and related components
• Tear down and inspect vehicles to take measurements for new product development (mounting points, clearances, travel, ride height)
• Assemble, rebuild, re-valve and service shocks and coilovers to R&D specifications
• Support on-road, off-road and shock dyno testing; record setup details, results and observations
• Perform alignments and set ride height, and verify fitment, clearance and full articulation
• Document fitment issues with photos, notes and measurements, and give clear feedback to engineers
• Help draft and test installation instructions for new products
• Fabricate simple brackets and fixtures; light welding, cutting and drilling as needed
• Maintain R&D vehicles, tools and equipment; keep the shop clean, organized and safe
• Receive and track prototype parts and test vehicles
• Help with other shop duties as needed

Skills

Suspension systems

Off-road vehicles

Precision measurement

Reading technical drawings

Excel / Google Sheets

Tools

Calipers

Torque wrenches

Angle finders

Measuring tape

Excel

Job description

Description

About the role

We're looking for a hands-on mechanic to support our R&D team as they design, build and test new suspension products for trucks, SUVs and off-road vehicles. You'll install prototype parts, take vehicles apart and put them back together, help with testing, and keep the shop running.

This role suits someone who likes figuring out why something works (or doesn't), takes pride in clean, careful work, and wants to see new products go from prototype to production.

Key responsibilities

• Install, remove and adjust prototype and production suspension systems: coilovers, shocks, control arms, lift kits, steering and related components
• Tear down and inspect vehicles to take measurements for new product development (mounting points, clearances, travel, ride height)
• Assemble, rebuild, re-valve and service shocks and coilovers to R&D specifications
• Support on-road, off-road and shock dyno testing; record setup details, results and observations
• Perform alignments and set ride height, and verify fitment, clearance and full articulation
• Document fitment issues with photos, notes and measurements, and give clear feedback to engineers
• Help draft and test installation instructions for new products
• Fabricate simple brackets and fixtures; light welding, cutting and drilling as needed
• Maintain R&D vehicles, tools and equipment; keep the shop clean, organized and safe
• Receive and track prototype parts and test vehicles
• Help with other shop duties as needed

Requirements

Required qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on automotive mechanic experience, ideally on suspension, steering or off-road vehicles
• Solid grasp of suspension systems and geometry (IFS, solid axles, coilovers, leaf springs)
• Comfortable with precision measuring tools: calipers, angle finders, torque wrenches, tape measures
• Can read basic technical drawings, install instructions and torque specs
• Basic computer skills for logging test data and photos (Excel or Google Sheets, email)
• Valid driver's license and a clean driving record (required to drive test vehicles)
• Detail-oriented, reliable, and able to follow procedures exactly

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in an R&D, prototype, race or off-road fabrication shop
• Shock building and valving experience
• MIG/TIG welding and basic fabrication skills
• Off-road driving experience
• Familiarity with alignment machines, shock dynos or data acquisition tools

Physical requirements and work environment

• All tools and equipment are provided
• Able to lift up to 75 lb, and more with assistance or equipment
• Stand, bend, kneel, crawl and work under vehicles for long stretches
• Shop environment with noise, heat, grease and power tools; PPE required
• Occasional off-site testing, sometimes on rough terrain or in hot desert conditions
• Occasional overtime or early starts to meet test and launch schedules