R&d Technician

Actalent; California (MO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off / PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Contract-to-Hire Mechanical Technician to assemble prototype equipment and support product development in Orange, CA. You will build test fixtures, maintain labs, and troubleshoot complex systems to ensure performance and compliance.

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical assembly, reading blueprints, and using precision tools, with the ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certs preferred.
• Hands-on experience assembling equipment and machinery in development settings.
• Proficient in mechanical assembly including alignment and integration of components.
• Skilled in electrical assembly and wiring, and cable routing.
• Understanding of mains and low voltage principles; able to read blueprints and schematics.
• Comfort with reading mechanical drawings and technical manuals.
• Able to safely use hand/power tools and precision instruments for testing.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and configure prototype equipment and systems for product development.
• Build and install custom test fixtures and rigs for validation and performance testing.
• Maintain, calibrate, and upgrade test labs and equipment to ensure accuracy and standards.
• Diagnose and resolve issues with equipment, products, and testing facilities.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Conduct general building maintenance and upkeep of spaces and equipment areas.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects with attention to detail and deadlines.

Skills

calibration

mechanical assembly

mechanical testing

troubleshooting

engineering

hvac

plc troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certifications or vocational training

Mechanical/electrical disciplines background

Tools

Precision measuring tools

Electrical testing equipment

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Job Description

Description

• Assemble and configure prototype equipment and systems for product development
• Build and install custom test fixtures and rigs to support validation and performance testing of products.
• Maintain, calibrate, and upgrade test labs and equipment to ensure optimal accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Diagnose and resolve issues with equipment, products, and testing facilities
• Conduct routine preventative maintenance on mechanical, electrical, and testing equipment to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Perform general building maintenance tasks as needed, including minor repairs and upkeep of workspaces and equipment areas.
• Manage multiple concurrent tasks and projects efficiently while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent; technical certifications or vocational training in mechanical/electrical disciplines preferred
• Hands‑on experience assembling equipment, industrial products, and machinery in a development setting
• Proficient in mechanical assembly, including alignment, fastening, and integration of components
• Skilled in electrical assembly and wiring, and cable routing,
• Solid understanding of basic electrical principles including mains voltage and low voltage systems
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals
• Competent in the safe and effective use of hand tools, power tools, precision instruments, and electrical testing equipment

Skills

calibration, mechanical assembly, mechanical testing, trouble shoot, Engineering, Troubleshooting, Maintenance technician, R&D, industrial machinery, hvac, hvac system, hvac equipment, blueprint, schematic, Electronics, precision measuring tools, high voltage, low voltage, plcs, plc troubleshooting, test equipment, electrical wiring, electrical assembly, electrical troubleshooting, automation, automatic test equipment, energy systems, refrigeration, brazing, copper pipes, prototype, prototyping, pvc, test plan, test procedure, sheet metal enclosures, mechanical engineering

Top Skills Details

calibration, mechanical assembly, mechanical testing, trouble shoot

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet browsers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving
• Must be able to lift to 40 lbs occasionally.

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Orange, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr.

• 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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Orange,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026.

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran stat