Cell Prototype Engineering Technician

Job Title: Cell Prototype Engineering Technician Job Description
The Cell Prototype Engineering Technician supports hands-on prototype assembly and build activities in a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment. This role focuses on assembling mechanical and electromechanical components, operating production equipment, performing in-process quality inspections, and assisting engineering teams with troubleshooting and failure analysis. The technician plays a key role in documenting production data, monitoring build quality, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to advance prototype battery and cell manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
- Assemble mechanical and electromechanical components according to established work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and defined build processes.
- Operate production equipment and assist with equipment, fixture, and tooling setup, use, and basic maintenance as needed.
- Perform in-process quality inspections and use measurement tools to verify that components and assemblies meet specified requirements.
- Monitor prototype builds for abnormalities and promptly escalate potential process, equipment, material, or quality issues to appropriate team members.
- Assist engineering teams with troubleshooting activities, including failure analysis and root-cause identification for build or process issues.
- Accurately document build information, inspection results, and production data in computer and database systems.
- Support material, component, consumable, and inventory tracking to ensure adequate supplies for ongoing prototype builds.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional partners throughout prototype build cycles to ensure efficient and high-quality output.
- Follow established safety requirements and protocols while working with production equipment and within controlled manufacturing and lab environments.
- Adapt to evolving products, processes, and work instructions in a fast-paced prototype setting and maintain a high level of attention to detail throughout all tasks.
Essential Skills
- At least 1 year of hands-on experience building, assembling, or working with mechanical or electromechanical components in a manufacturing, production, prototype, or similar technical environment.
- Experience working in a hands-on manufacturing or production setting and following established SOPs, work instructions, and defined processes.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working directly with physical components, tools, and equipment.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform in-process inspections, recognize abnormalities, and escalate quality or process issues.
- Ability to follow detailed work instructions, SOPs, and established technical processes consistently and accurately.
- Basic computer skills with the ability to accurately enter, update, and document production or technical data in electronic systems.
- Comfort working on-site in a lab and manufacturing environment, standing for extended periods, and lifting up to approximately 25 lbs.
- Ability to work MondayFriday with an early-morning start time and provide occasional overtime or rare weekend support when needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience using measurement tools such as micrometers, calipers, multimeters, or similar metrology instruments; training can be provided.
- Background or exposure to battery, lithium battery, automotive, electronics, medical device, or prototype manufacturing environments is a plus.
- Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks is a plus but not required.
- Experience with quality inspection practices and metrology techniques is preferred.
- Ability to recognize and communicate conditions that appear out of standard and contribute to continuous improvement of processes.
- Degree is not required; relevant hands-on technician experience will be fully considered.
- Interest in learning specialized equipment, processes, and characterization techniques related to advanced battery and cell manufacturing.
- Motivation to grow in a contract-to-hire role supporting advanced prototype product development in an innovative engineering environment.
Work Environment
This role is 100% on-site in San Diego in a hands-on prototype assembly, manufacturing, and lab environment. The majority of the work involves supporting physical builds rather than desk-based engineering tasks, and the technician will spend much of the day on their feet performing assembly, inspection, and equipment operations. The schedule typically runs Monday through Friday with an early-morning start around 6:00 AM and core coverage through approximately 3:00 PM, with occasional overtime and rare weekend support as needed. Work may be performed in controlled or dry-room environments and requires appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The position involves prolonged standing and the ability to lift up to approximately 25 lbs. The environment is fast-paced, and products, processes, and work instructions may change frequently, offering exposure to advanced battery and cell manufacturing technologies and close collaboration with engineering teams.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $27.18 - $45.33/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA. 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 [email protected] 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.