Manufacturing & Prototyping Technician II/III

Safire is seeking a Manufacturing & Prototyping Technician II/III to support the fabrication, assembly, and testing of prototype and production hardware. This person will work directly with engineers across mechanical fabrication, electrical assembly, and machine operation to build hardware, troubleshoot issues, and develop repeatable manufacturing processes.

This is a hands-on role for a versatile, self-sufficient technician with strong fundamentals and the ability to learn new equipment and processes quickly. We are looking for someone who takes initiative, works independently, and applies practical problem-solving skills to changing priorities in a fast-paced prototyping environment.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Machine operation and maintenance: Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on:
• • FDM 3D printers
  • Manual mills and lathes
  • Laser cutting equipment
  • Spot welding equipment
• Electrical assembly: Soldering, connector assembly, electrical testing, and diagnosing electrical issues.
• PCB assembly: Operate pick-and-place equipment, perform PCB soldering/rework, and inspect assembled boards.
• Mechanical and electrical assembly: Assemble prototype and production hardware, including mechanical assemblies, wire harnesses, and electromechanical systems.
• Manufacturing documentation: Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and equipment maintenance procedures.
• Production support: Work directly with engineers to fabricate prototypes, troubleshoot manufacturing challenges, improve assembly processes, and establish repeatable production processes.
• Quality control: Inspect components and assemblies against engineering drawings and specifications.
• Workplace safety and organization: Maintain a safe, organized workspace and follow appropriate equipment operation and material handling procedures.

Must Have

• 3+ years of relevant hands-on experience in manufacturing, a machine shop, or an electromechanical prototyping environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, and assembly instructions.
• Experience operating and maintaining manufacturing equipment, particularly FDM 3D printers and manual mills and lathes.
• Proficiency in soldering, wire harness fabrication, crimping, and connector assembly.
• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills, including experience using multimeters and other test equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to independently assemble, modify, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Ability to work directly with engineers, communicate issues clearly, and follow through on fabrication and assembly tasks.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to learn unfamiliar equipment and processes quickly.

Nice to Have

• CNC machining, programming, and CAM software experience.
• Experience with fiber laser cutting and resistance spot welding.
• Experience operating PCB pick-and-place equipment and performing PCB assembly, inspection, and rework.
• Experience assembling and manufacturing lithium-ion battery packs.
• Battery testing experience, including charge/discharge cycling, electrical characterization, and test equipment operation.
• Experience developing manufacturing SOPs and work instructions.
• Familiarity with CAD software and basic design modifications.
• Experience performing production quality inspections and using precision measurement equipment.
• Prior experience with classified defense projects. 
• Experience working in a startup or small company, with the flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and taking on varied responsibilities

Safire engineers the hardware and software inside the world's most demanding energy systems: batteries built to survive conditions that destroy ordinary equipment, sensors that catch what others miss, and an AI-powered operating system that turns raw data into real-time intelligence operators can act on immediately.