Lead R&D Technician | On-site Opportunity | Quincy, MA | Fastwater Staffing

HIKINEX • Quincy, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead R&D Technician coordinates daily technical build activities and supports the assembly, integration, and troubleshooting of complex autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and electromechanical systems. The contract role combines hands-on technical work with day-to-day coordination of build activities, including organizing workflows, setting technical priorities, guiding operators, and collaborating with engineering and production teams to meet project milestones.

The technician supports vehicle development and manufacturing from R&D and prototyping through production, providing technical feedback to engineering teams and supporting the production and delivery of commercial and development products. The role involves complex cable, harness, connector, and electronics assembly; soldering, crimping, testing, repair, and troubleshooting; and the use of engineering drawings, schematics, and electronics test equipment.

The position also provides technical guidance and knowledge transfer to operators, coordinates work with technicians and the Production Supervisor, supports production systems and schedules, and contributes to Lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement efforts. The position is on-site in Quonset, Rhode Island. Start date and compensation are listed as TBD, with compensation based on skills and experience.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of electronics experience in an R&D or prototyping environment.
• Ability to execute complex technical tasks independently with minimal supervision.
• Extensive experience with cable, harness, and connector assembly and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in soldering, crimping, and mechanical cable assembly.
• Working knowledge of product development, New Product Introduction (NPI), scaled production, and Lean manufacturing principles.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and component drawings.
• Hands-on experience with power supplies, electronic loads, oscilloscopes, function generators, data acquisition systems, and measurement sensors.
• Strong organizational, communication, and troubleshooting skills.
• Dependability and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with machining, sheet metal fabrication, or 3D printing.
• Experience collaborating across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Experience testing small electronics assemblies through large vehicle structures.
• Experience developing test setups and executing procedures to validate design iterations.
• Material handling or hoisting experience, including overhead gantry operations or rigging.
• Experience with subsea robotics, AUVs, UUVs, or marine systems.

Responsibilities

• Support all stages of vehicle development and manufacturing and provide technical feedback to engineering teams.
• Build, integrate, and test complex electromechanical assemblies for AUV systems.
• Use hand tools, assembly tooling, and general manufacturing equipment.
• Apply advanced hardware assembly, troubleshooting, and repair skills.
• Support production and delivery of commercial and development products.
• Build, assemble, and troubleshoot complex cables, wire harnesses, and connectors.
• Perform soldering, crimping, and mechanical cable assembly.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics and component drawings.
• Use electronics test equipment for assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Help identify and resolve hardware issues during prototyping and production.
• Provide technical guidance, knowledge transfer, and process support to operators.
• Coordinate day-to-day technical tasks with technicians and the Production Supervisor.
• Support collaboration and knowledge sharing across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Help operators resolve technical challenges and maintain consistent build quality.
• Promote cross-functional support and effective communication.
• Organize build workflows, manage multiple priorities, and maintain project schedules.
• Prioritize work to meet delivery targets and project milestones.
• Complete daily transactions in production systems such as MES, NetSuite, and JIRA.
• Support the transition from R&D and prototyping activities to production.
• Participate in 5S and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean manufacturing principles and improvements to build processes.
• Help improve assembly workflows, technical procedures, and production efficiency.
• Work with engineering and production teams to address manufacturing challenges.
• Support reliable delivery of development and commercial products.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed