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Build/Characterization Technician

Hayward, California, United States

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Build/Characterization Technician

As a Build/Characterization Technician, you will be responsible for building, modifying, and characterizing sensors used in advanced battery development. You will support Rivian’s Battery Pack program by creating sensor-instrumented cells, validating sensor performance, and ensuring accurate test data collection for engineering analysis.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build and assemble sensors, wiring, and fixtures for battery development test rigs.
  • Characterize sensors both as received and after modifications to ensure performance and calibration accuracy.
  • Instrument cells with temperature, pressure, strain, and other sensors to support advanced testing.
  • Operate test equipment and data acquisition systems to capture sensor data under defined conditions.
  • Distribute and document test data for use by engineering and analysis teams.
  • Support troubleshooting of sensor setups, wiring, and calibration issues.
  • Maintain detailed records of build processes, sensor configurations, and test results.
  • Follow strict safety standards when handling cells, instrumentation, and high-voltage systems.

Qualifications

  • Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent hands-on experience in Electrical/Mechanical Technology, Mechatronics, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in instrumentation, electronics, or lab-based testing environments.
  • Strong soldering, wiring, and basic fabrication skills.
  • Familiarity with sensors such as thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, or displacement sensors.
  • Proficiency with data logging and acquisition systems.
  • Excellent attention to detail and documentation practices.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience in sensor calibration and validation.
  • Hands-on background in modifying or customizing sensors for R&D applications.
  • Knowledge of battery safety protocols and laboratory testing practices.
  • Familiarity with 3D CAD or fixture design for sensor integration.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Salary Range: $65,000-$90,000 

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience  

ALTEN Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status.

Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

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