Lead and perform hands-on fabrication, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of wire harnesses and cable assemblies for V-BAT and X-BAT test systems. Establish fabrication standards, improve processes, mentor technicians, maintain documentation and BOMs, coordinate vendors, and support lab operations to minimize downtime and ensure harness quality and reliability.
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
As the Lead Harness Specialist, you will serve as the technical lead for the Hardware Test Harness Team, helping establish and grow a dedicated harness capability that supports V-BAT and X-BAT test operations. You will remain deeply involved in the hands-on fabrication, integration, and troubleshooting of wire harnesses and cable assemblies while providing day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and technical direction for a team of harness technicians.
Working closely with Hardware Test, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineering teams, you will help define fabrication standards, improve build processes, ensure product quality, and support the development of reliable test infrastructure. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building high-quality hardware, solving technical challenges, and developing a team while remaining actively engaged in day-to-day execution.
What you'll do:
- Build, modify, repair, and validate complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies supporting Hardware Test systems for V-BAT and X-BAT.
- Lead daily activities for the Hardware Test Harness Team, providing technical guidance, work prioritization, and mentorship to harness technicians.
- Establish and continuously improve harness fabrication processes, quality standards, documentation, and best practices.
- Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, wire lists, and engineering drawings to build production-quality harnesses.
- Assemble and integrate harnesses into electrical and electromechanical test stands, fixtures, and laboratory equipment.
- Perform continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and functional verification to ensure harness quality and reliability.
- Troubleshoot wiring issues, connector failures, and integration problems to support development and production test operations.
- Partner with engineers during new test stand development to provide manufacturability feedback and improve harness serviceability.
- Support configuration management by maintaining harness documentation, revisions, bills of materials, and work instructions.
- Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure materials and components are available to meet project schedules.
- Support laboratory operations by responding to emergent issues and performing repairs that minimize test downtime.
- Foster a culture of craftsmanship, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Harness Team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience building wire harnesses, cable assemblies, or electrical systems in aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, or similar industries.
- Demonstrated experience leading technicians or serving as a technical lead on hardware build activities.
- Strong ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, and engineering drawings.
- Hands-on experience with harness fabrication techniques including crimping, soldering, shielding, splicing, labeling, and connector assembly.
- Experience performing electrical verification including continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with aerospace-quality workmanship standards and documentation practices.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven history of taking ownership, delivering high-quality work, and collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and treating others with respect.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience building harnesses for aerospace, UAV, military, robotics, or autonomous systems.
- Experience supporting hardware test laboratories, manufacturing test equipment, or production test environments.
- Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards or equivalent harness manufacturing standards.
- Experience using harness design or documentation tools such as Capital, Zuken, SolidWorks Electrical, or AutoCAD Electrical.
- Experience creating or improving manufacturing work instructions and build documentation.
- Experience with soldering, machining, or electromechanical assembly.
- Previous experience helping build or scale a technical team.
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
Shield AI Waltham, Massachusetts, USA Office
500 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA, United States, 02451
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