Assembly Technician - Mira Mesa @ Aerotek

Assembly Technician - 1st Shift & 2nd Shift - Mira Mesa - $23/hr-$24/hrJob DescriptionThe First Article Prep Assembler works under minimal supervision to perform a wide variety of precision preparation activities that support first article and prototype cable and connector assemblies. This role ensures all components are properly cleaned, prepared, and staged to meet strict quality and process requirements prior to assembly. The position focuses on material readiness, surface preparation, and process compliance, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness, attention to detail, and repeatability, using chemicals, abrasives, and manual preparation techniques to achieve specified results.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed preparation of cables, connectors, and components for first article and prototype builds.
• Ensure all materials meet cleanliness, dimensional, and surface preparation specifications prior to assembly.
• Support first article builds by ensuring readiness and proper staging of all prepared components and fixtures.
• Perform sanding, polishing, trimming, and deburring of components to required specifications.
• Use abrasives and manual tools to achieve proper surface finishes and tolerances.
• Inspect prepared components to ensure consistency and compliance with drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.
• Use approved solvents, cleaners, and chemicals to prepare components for assembly, following all applicable procedures.
• Handle hazardous and flammable chemicals in accordance with established safety and cleanliness procedures.
• Use hand tools and small power tools to place small components in boards, cables, connectors, and related assemblies.
• Inspect parts and perform basic tests to verify functionality and conformance to standards.
• Perform additional assembly tasks such as potting, encapsulating, sanding, cleaning, epoxy bonding, curing, stamping, etching, impregnating, and color-coding parts and assemblies as needed.
• Adjust or trim materials from components to achieve specified electrical or dimensional characteristics.
• Perform hand soldering using a soldering iron when required.
• Perform soldering and general inspection work under a microscope when necessary.
• Conduct online go/no-go testing and inspection to ensure parts and assemblies meet production specifications and standards.
• Troubleshoot and replace defective components in finished products.
• Rework and repair defective units rejected by inspection or test personnel.
• Follow detailed procedures and specific instructions completely and accurately.
• Ensure required quality checks are completed and documented.
• Record information on production records, logs, and other reporting forms accurately and in a timely manner.

Essential Skills

• Proven ability to perform detailed preparation of cables, connectors, and components for first article and prototype builds.
• Demonstrated experience ensuring materials meet cleanliness, dimensional, and surface preparation specifications.
• Skill in sanding, polishing, trimming, and deburring components to precise requirements.
• Proficiency using abrasives, hand tools, and small power tools to achieve specified surface finishes and tolerances.
• Ability to read and follow drawings, blueprints, and detailed work instructions.
• Experience using approved solvents, cleaners, and chemicals in a production or assembly environment.
• Knowledge of safe handling procedures for hazardous and flammable chemicals.
• Hands-on experience assembling boards, cables, connectors, and related components using hand and small power tools.
• Capability to perform basic inspection and testing of parts and assemblies.
• Experience with hand soldering using a soldering iron.
• Ability to perform soldering and inspection work under a microscope.
• Familiarity with online go/no-go testing and inspection methods to verify compliance with production specifications.
• Troubleshooting skills to identify and replace defective components in finished products.
• Experience reworking and repairing defective units based on inspection or test results.
• Strong ability to follow specific procedures and detailed instructions without deviation.
• Attention to detail to ensure all required quality checks are completed.
• Ability to accurately record production data on logs, records, and report forms.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting first article and prototype builds in a manufacturing or assembly environment.
• Background working in environments with strict cleanliness and process compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with potting, encapsulating, epoxy bonding, curing, stamping, etching, impregnating, and color-coding parts and assemblies.
• Comfort working with precision components and small parts that require careful handling.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining high quality and consistency.
• Strong focus on cleanliness, detail, and repeatability in all preparation and assembly tasks.

Why Work Here? The organization develops enabling technologies for advanced industrial growth markets that demand high reliability and cutting-edge solutions, including aerospace and defense, factory automation, environmental monitoring, electronics design and development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical imaging, and pharmaceutical research. You will join a team that values making a meaningful impact and offers the excitement of contributing to projects that support critical applications across diverse industries.

The culture rewards individuals who are driven to help their team succeed and who take pride in delivering high-quality work. Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a production facility in San Diego, CA. The position operates on a first shift schedule from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the expectation of approximately 10 hours of overtime per week and occasional Saturday work, depending on production needs. The environment involves frequent use of hand tools, small power tools, chemicals, solvents, and cleaning agents, as well as work under microscopes for detailed soldering and inspection. Strict adherence to safety procedures for handling flammable and hazardous chemicals is required, and work follows defined cleanliness and process standards typical of a high-reliability manufacturing setting.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of SAN DIEGO, CA.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $23.00 - $24.00/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)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in SAN DIEGO,CA.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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.