Mechanical Technician

Job Title: Mechanical Technician

Job Description

This Mechanical Technician role focuses on building, modifying, and maintaining prototype autonomous vehicles and test platforms while supporting the integration of mechanical and electrical systems. You will work hands-on in a prototyping-heavy environment, fabricating custom components, assembling wiring harnesses, and executing tests to validate system performance. The position offers significant growth potential in a small, innovative startup environment focused on advanced autonomous technologies rather than traditional consumer automotive products.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, and maintain prototype autonomous vehicles, test platforms, wiring harnesses, and test benches to support integration of mechanical and electrical systems.
• Integrate mechanical and electrical components such as sensors, actuators, compute units, and power systems into prototype vehicles and test platforms.
• Fabricate brackets, mounts, and custom parts using rapid prototyping tools including 3D printers, laser cutters, welders, and related equipment.
• Build and route wire harnesses, perform soldering and crimping, and troubleshoot electrical connections to ensure reliable system performance.
• Execute test plans and collect system performance data during both in-lab and on-road testing to support validation and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate closely with engineers to iterate on hardware designs and integration approaches, incorporating feedback and test results into improvements.
• Maintain the prototyping garage and shop, ensuring tools, materials, and components are organized, properly stored, and safe to use.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and system integration issues on prototype vehicles and related test equipment.
• Work from engineering drawings, rough sketches, or verbal guidance to produce functional mechanical and electrical assemblies.
• Create custom mechanical or electrical assemblies from scratch or adapt existing systems to meet project requirements.
• Use CAD tools, such as SolidWorks or NX, to design parts and support fabrication and integration activities.
• Document builds, configurations, and changes to support repeatability, knowledge sharing, and future maintenance.
• Contribute actively to a prototyping-heavy, hands-on environment by bringing a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and "get it done" mindset.

Essential Skills

• Proven hands-on experience building or customizing vehicles, motorcycles, robotic systems, drones, or RV vehicles.
• Demonstrated ability to create custom mechanical or electrical assemblies from scratch or to adapt existing systems creatively.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and system integration domains.
• Comfort working with mechanical tools, electrical prototyping equipment, and basic fabrication tools, including grinding machines.
• Understanding of vehicle systems such as chassis, suspension, and drivetrain and/or familiarity with embedded electronics.
• Ability to work from engineering drawings, rough sketches, or verbal guidance to produce working assemblies.
• Ability to create parts in CAD, with SolidWorks or NX preferred.
• Experience in an R&D lab, automotive or motorsports shop, or hardware prototyping environment.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented approach with a strong "get it done" mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a prototyping-heavy, hands-on environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Skills in welding, machining or CNC operations, or composite fabrication such as fiberglass and carbon fiber.
• Exposure to autonomous systems, including experience working alongside systems engineers.
• Familiarity with automotive communication protocols such as CAN and LIN and use of diagnostic tools, even at a basic level.
• Experience documenting builds and collaborating through documentation and project platforms such as Confluence or similar tools.
• Experience with electronics assembly, wiring, and harness routing in complex systems.
• Interest in working within a small, high-growth startup environment focused on advanced autonomous technologies.

Work Environment

The role is based in a shared facility environment in Rochester Hills, MI, within a building that supports advanced electronics and autonomous vehicle development. You will work primarily in a prototyping garage and shop setting equipped with mechanical tools, electrical prototyping equipment, rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, welding equipment, and fabrication tools. The environment is highly hands-on and experimentation-focused, with frequent interaction with engineers and other technical staff. The company is in the process of securing a dedicated test track or facility in Michigan, so the role will include both in-lab and on-road testing activities. The culture emphasizes innovation, autonomy, and professional growth within a small team, offering significant opportunity to influence processes, tools, and build practices in a setting more commonly found in leading technology hubs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Rochester Hills, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $43.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• 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 Rochester Hills,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.