Contract - Engineering Technician

Cariad, Inc.•Mountain View, CA

1d•$65 - $75•Onsite

About The Position

We are CARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group. Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun. To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year. We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world. Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility. Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it. Role Summary The Engineering Technician III, ECU Hardware (Contract) supports hardware development, validation, and test operations by building, modifying, and troubleshooting electronic assemblies and lab infrastructure. This role requires hands-on electronics assembly skills, strong documentation discipline, and the ability to safely set up and operate common bench and rack-based test equipment.

Requirements

Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all work
Critical thinking skills
Thoughtful problem solving
Strong communication – verbal and written
Time management
Surface mount soldering capability (hand soldering; ability to work with fine pitch components is a plus).
Wire harness building(crimping, connectors, continuity verification, labeling).
Proficiency using a multimeter; ability to interpret measurements and troubleshoot.
Ability to read schematics and wiring diagrams.
Experience assembling electronics into enclosures/housings and following mechanical assembly instructions.
Comfort connecting and configuring lab test equipment safely and correctly.
Ability to build/assemble test racks from diagrams and follow standardized wiring/labeling practices.
5+ years of lab technician or electronics assembly experience.
High school diploma or equivalent required; AA/AS in Electronics Technology or related field preferred (or equivalent hands-on experience).

Nice To Haves

Oscilloscope use for basic debugging (triggering, probes, measuring frequency/duty cycle/rise time, noise observations).
Rework skills (hot air rework, solder wick, component removal, pad repair) and IPC familiarity (IPC-A-610/IPC J-STD-001 exposure).
Experience with automotive electronics labs (ECU validation, CAN/LIN, power cycling, load simulation, bench-top HIL elements).
Experience with common connector systems (e.g., Molex/TE/Deutsch) and crimp tool calibration practices.
Basic mechanical fabrication skills (drilling, tapping, panel mounting) and rack layout discipline.
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Responsibilities

Electronics Assembly & Rework
Perform surface-mount and through-hole soldering for prototypes, rework, and repairs
Handle component removal/replacement, touch-up, and basic rework tasks
Assemble ECUs into housings and enclosures, including mechanical assembly, connector fitment, fastening, and torque discipline
Read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and build documentation to execute assembly accurately
Wiring, Harnessing & Integration
Build and validate wire harnesses (crimping, pinning/depinning, labeling, strain relief)
Perform continuity checks and basic harness documentation
Route, label, and manage cables according to diagrams and integration requirements
Support ECU and system-level integration activities
Test Setup, Instrumentation & Debug Support
Set up and connect test equipment to devices under test (power supplies, electronic loads, DAQ, CAN/LIN interfaces, scopes, meters, environmental chambers)
Assemble test racks from diagrams and instructions (DIN rail components, grounding, terminal blocks, cable management)
Use digital multimeters for voltage/current/resistance/continuity/diode checks
Operate oscilloscopes for basic signal integrity checks and debugging
Support structured troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, and connectivity issues
Lab Operations, Safety & Documentation
Maintain a safe and organized lab environment (ESD controls, tool calibration awareness, inventory tracking, cleanliness)
Document builds, rework, deviations, and test setups
Provide feedback to engineering teams to improve build clarity, documentation quality, and repeatability