Engineering Technician
About LightmillLightmill is building a new class of machine tools for manufacturing metal parts. We are an early-stage, engineering-driven startup based in San Francisco, working across lasers, robotics, software, and advanced manufacturing.We're a small, highly technical team working across mechanical engineering, lasers, optics, automation, software, and manufacturing.The RoleWe're looking for an Engineering Technician who loves building things and getting hardware to work.You'll work directly alongside our engineers to build, wire, operate, troubleshoot, and improve Lightmill machines. This is a highly hands-on role: assembling mechanical systems, building wiring harnesses, wiring electrical components, running machines, inspecting parts, setting up experiments, and diagnosing problems when things don't work.You'll be an important part of increasing the speed of the entire engineering team. The ideal person is resourceful, careful, mechanically capable, comfortable with electrical work, and able to figure things out without needing a detailed set of instructions.What You'll DoAssemble and bring up prototype and production Lightmill machinesBuild mechanical assemblies, motion systems, optical assemblies, and supporting hardwareWire machines, including motors, sensors, power supplies, controllers, switches, fans, and other electrical componentsBuild, route, terminate, label, and troubleshoot wiring harnessesCrimp terminals and connectors and perform basic soldering when neededRead wiring diagrams and electrical schematicsUse a multimeter to diagnose wiring, grounding, continuity, voltage, and other electrical issuesHelp organize and improve machine electrical layouts, cable routing, strain relief, and serviceabilityOperate Lightmill machines and run machining experimentsLoad material, run jobs, inspect finished parts, and document resultsUse metrology equipment to measure and characterize partsDiagnose mechanical, electrical, optical, and process issuesHelp engineers execute experiments and rapidly test new designsModify and fabricate components using common shop toolsMaintain, repair, and improve machines as they accumulate operating hoursCreate and improve assembly procedures, wiring procedures, test procedures, fixtures, and documentationHelp keep the lab, machines, tools, and parts organized and ready to useIdentify recurring problems and propose practical fixes rather than simply working around themBecause we're a small team, you'll also occasionally help with whatever hardware problem is most important that day.What We're Looking ForStrong hands-on mechanical and electrical aptitudeExperience assembling, wiring, repairing, modifying, or troubleshooting complex hardwareComfortable doing machine wiring and working with connectors, terminals, harnesses, sensors, motors, and power suppliesExperience using crimpers, wire strippers, soldering equipment, and multimetersAbility to read engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and basic electrical schematicsComfortable using hand tools, power tools, measurement equipment, and basic shop equipmentComfortable working around motors, sensors, wiring, pneumatics, optics, and electromechanical systemsCareful and methodical when working with precision hardware and electrical systemsAble to work independently and figure out unfamiliar problemsStrong attention to detail without getting stuck chasing unnecessary perfectionClear communication and documentationExcited to spend most of your time working directly with physical hardwareNice to HaveYou don't need experience with all of these, but we'd be especially interested in experience with:CNC machines, machine tools, robotics, or industrial automationMachine wiring, control cabinets, or electrical panel assemblyWiring harness fabricationPrecision mechanical assemblyLaser systems or opticsMotion control systemsStepper or servo motors and motor drivesIndustrial sensors, relays, power supplies, and controllersGD&T and dimensional inspectionCMMs, optical measurement systems, microscopes, or 3D scannersCAD, particularly SolidWorksMachining, fabrication, or prototypingManufacturing equipment maintenance or field serviceBuilding prototype hardware in a startup, research lab, machine shop, or similar environmentWho Will Be Successful HereYou like hardware enough that when a machine isn't behaving correctly, your instinct is to grab a multimeter and a set of tools and start figuring out why.You're equally comfortable assembling a mechanical system, building a wiring harness, replacing a sensor, or helping an engineer set up an experiment.You're comfortable working from an engineering drawing or wiring diagram when one exists, but you don't need a perfectly written procedure before you can make progress.You take safety and precision seriously, but you're also practical. You understand the difference between something that needs to be perfect and something that simply needs to work so we can run the next experiment.Most importantly, you enjoy being part of a small team building something that hasn't existed before.