Vehicle Integration Technician

Sparrow Company LLC•Chattanooga, TN

1d•$46,000 - $56,000

About The Position

The Refuse Vehicle Integration Technician is responsible for the integration, programming, diagnostics, testing, validation, and commissioning of refuse collection bodies installed on commercial truck chassis. This position serves as the technical bridge between chassis manufacturers, body engineering, production, service, and customers to ensure all vehicle systems operate as a fully integrated solution. The ideal candidate possesses advanced electrical diagnostic skills, extensive knowledge of vehicle multiplexing systems, CAN Bus communications, chassis programming, transmission programming, and body integration. This individual will troubleshoot complex vehicle and body systems, configure electronic controls, validate vehicle performance, and provide technical support throughout the product lifecycle. Additionally, the Integration Technician plays a critical role in identifying, documenting, and communicating technical issues discovered during production, testing, commissioning, and field support activities. The position serves as a key technical resource between Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Service, and OEM partners, ensuring issues are effectively communicated, tracked, and resolved to improve product reliability, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Associate Degree in Electrical Technology, Automotive Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, Mechatronics, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum 3 years of experience in heavy-duty truck diagnostics, vehicle integration, body controls, or related field.
Strong understanding of: Electrical systems and diagnostics, CAN Bus communications, J1939 architecture, RP1708/J1708 communication protocols, Multiple-network vehicle communication systems, Multiplex control systems, Vehicle body integration.
Experience utilizing OEM diagnostic software and programming tools.
Ability to read and interpret: Electrical schematics, Hydraulic schematics, Network architecture diagrams, Technical service documentation.
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong computer and documentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the refuse vehicle industry.
Experience with automated side loaders, front loaders, rear loaders, and roll-off systems.
Experience with body controller programming and multiplex control systems.
Experience with Allison DOC and transmission diagnostics.
OEM chassis certifications.
Allison Transmission certifications.
Experience supporting dealer and field service networks.
Familiarity with engineering change management processes.

Responsibilities

Perform complete integration of refuse collection bodies onto commercial truck chassis.
Configure, validate, and troubleshoot body control systems and vehicle interfaces.
Diagnose complex electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and software-related issues.
Perform advanced electrical troubleshooting using wiring diagrams, schematics, and diagnostic equipment.
Verify proper operation of body functions, safety systems, PTO controls, and interlocks.
Conduct final vehicle commissioning, operational testing, and validation.
Support production teams during vehicle assembly and startup activities.
Assist service departments and dealer networks with advanced troubleshooting and technical support.
Diagnose and analyze CAN Bus communication systems and multiplex vehicle architectures.
Troubleshoot J1939, RP1210, RP1708, J1708, and OEM-specific communication networks.
Analyze network traffic and communication faults using diagnostic software and data monitoring tools.
Validate communication between chassis systems, body controllers, transmission controllers, engine controllers, and operator interfaces.
Troubleshoot multiple-network CAN Bus systems and gateway communications.
Configure chassis parameters using OEM diagnostic software.
Program body builder options and chassis interface parameters.
Configure PTO operation, idle management, safety interlocks, and vehicle operating logic.
Support programming and diagnostics for major chassis manufacturers including: Mack, Volvo, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, International, Autocar, and other OEM chassis platforms.
Configure and program transmission parameters utilizing Allison DOC and other OEM programming platforms.
Troubleshoot transmission communication and operational issues.
Validate proper transmission integration with body controls and PTO systems.
Support calibration updates and parameter modifications as required.
Perform vehicle-level validation testing of integrated systems.
Verify compliance with engineering specifications and customer requirements.
Conduct functional testing of electrical, hydraulic, safety, and control systems.
Document test procedures, results, and corrective actions.
Assist Engineering with prototype testing and new product development initiatives.
Document all production, integration, electrical, software, and engineering-related issues in a clear, detailed, and professional manner.
Maintain accurate records of software revisions, parameter settings, configuration changes, test results, and corrective actions.
Develop technical reports detailing diagnostic findings, root cause analyses, and recommended solutions.
Identify recurring product, manufacturing, and integration concerns and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
Track technical issues from identification through resolution and verify corrective actions have been implemented.
Assist in developing technical documentation, troubleshooting guides, service bulletins, and work instructions.
Serve as a technical liaison between Production, Engineering, Quality, Service, Supply Chain, and OEM chassis manufacturers.
Participate in problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
Support Engineering investigations regarding product performance, manufacturability, and field concerns.
Communicate technical risks, project status, and issue resolution progress to management and key stakeholders.
Participate in engineering reviews, production meetings, and quality improvement activities.
Provide technical recommendations for product enhancements and process improvements.