Contract - Engineering Technician

Location: Mountain View, CA

Department: Hardware Platform Development

Contract Engineering Technician III, ECU Hardware

Full time onsite Mountain View, CA.

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.

Role 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

Skills

• 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

Specialized Skills

Required:

• 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.

Desired:

• 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.

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 5+ years of lab technician or electronics assembly experience.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; AA/AS in Electronics Technology or related field preferred (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Work Flexibility:

• Lab environment with ESD requirements; occasional work around powered systems.
• May require occasional after-hours support for critical test events
• Ability to lift/move typical lab equipment and work at a bench/rack for extended periods

Workplace Flexibility:

• ​This is a contract W2 position
• Compensation: $65.00 - 75.00/hr
• This role is based in Mountain View, CA. Must be local, no relocation.
• Immediate availability is required. The selected candidate is expected to start promptly upon offer acceptance and pending successful completion of a standard background check and drug screening
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship now or in the future
• We do not accept C2C (Corp-to-Corp), 1099, or third-party agency submissions for this position