NPI Senior Electronics Technician

Saildrone • Alameda, CA

8h • $101,000 - $119,000

About The Position

Saildrone is seeking an NPI Electrical & Harness Technician for its New Product Introduction team. This hands-on technical role builds, solders, and integrates complex wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and electrical enclosures for pilot builds and prototype platforms. The technician is expected to understand wiring specifications and schematics, spot design flaws early, document redlines, and provide actionable Design for Manufacturability feedback to electrical and harness design engineers before designs are released for production.

The NPI team works between R&D and production, collaborating with Hardware, Firmware, Software, Quality, and Production teams to mature new hardware and platforms into scalable products. The position may support production during high-volume surges or work with R&D during active pilot build cycles.

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and manufacturer and operator of autonomous unmanned surface vehicles. The company’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are in Alameda, California; it also has business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of experience as a wire harness or electrical technician in a low-volume, high-reliability environment such as aerospace, defense, marine, space, or robotics.
• Demonstrated mastery of wire harness fabrication tools, crimping techniques, heat-shrink application, potting, and loom braiding.
• Strong soldering skills on wiring assemblies and PCBAs.
• Ability to read, interpret, and build from complex electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, wire lists, and mechanical drawings.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of documenting engineering redlines and DFM feedback.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience installing and routing harnesses inside tight, IP-rated or weatherproof enclosures.
• Self-starter able to work independently on benchtop builds while communicating clearly with engineering.

Nice To Haves

• Active or prior IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies) or IPC J-STD-001 (Soldering Requirements) certification.
• Experience with harness design software environments such as Altium or Zuken, or reviewing CAD harness routes.
• Familiarity with automated cable or harness testing equipment such as Cirris testers.

Responsibilities

• Build complex wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and electrical enclosures from engineering schematics, wire lists, and CAD layouts.
• Perform precision soldering on wire-to-wire splices, connectors, potted assemblies, and surface-mount and through-hole components on PCBAs.
• Identify schematic errors, routing issues, and connector interferences during pilot builds; document and deliver redlines and DFM feedback to design engineers.
• Perform benchtop testing, continuity checks, and pinout verifications.
• Assist with physical harness routing, in-vehicle electrical integration, and system troubleshooting on prototype platforms.
• Maintain detailed build records, capture discrepancy reports, and help refine visual assembly instructions for production technicians.
• Train with the production harness team to establish baseline standards, and support production during high-volume surges or R&D during active pilot builds.

Benefits

• Competitive paid time off (PTO) accrual, annual holidays, and paid sick leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans with company contributions for employees and dependents.
• Equity grants.
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options.
• Annual professional development reimbursement program.
• Relocation assistance for eligible roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed