Opportunity sourced from the Official SkillBridge website. Not endorsed by the Department of Defense.
The NPI Manufacturing & Deployment Technician helps turn evolving products, equipment, and processes into safe, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing capability. Working across engineering, manufacturing, and deployment teams, you will support engineering trials, operate and improve BLDC motor manufacturing equipment, assemble electromechanical products, troubleshoot failures, document lessons learned, and support customer-site deployments.This is a hands-on role for someone who learns unfamiliar systems quickly, solves practical problems, and can make responsible progress when every instruction has not yet been written. Your work will directly support product maturity, manufacturing readiness, and dependable customer delivery.
About DarkhiveEstablished in 2021, Darkhive is redefining the future of autonomous systems. We design and build next-generation hardware and software solutions that integrate into critical public safety and defense networks. Our work focuses on tactical human-machine interfaces and scaling the production of affordable, attritable uncrewed systems alongside government partners.At Darkhive, we are a high-growth team of U.S. Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, and DevSecOps professionals. Above all, we are a mission-first culture. We believe global teams operating on the front lines deserve high-quality, intelligent tools that help keep people safe when every second counts.If you are a free-thinking problem solver who wants to build cutting-edge robotics in a highly collaborative startup environment, apply with Darkhive today!This is a full-time, non-supervisory role reporting to the Deployment Manager. The position is 100% onsite in San Antonio, Texas, with travel of up to 25%. Occasional overtime may be required during peak NPI, build, and deployment periods.Key ResponsibilitiesNPI & Engineering Support • Support engineers with experiments, equipment trials, product testing, process development, and other New Product Introduction activities. • Assemble electromechanical products and subassemblies using technical drawings, work instructions, specifications, and engineering guidance. • Capture accurate test results, observations, process parameters, and feedback so engineering teams can make informed decisions.Manufacturing Equipment & Process Execution • Set up, operate, change over, and become proficient with automated and semi-automated manufacturing equipment used in electromechanical production. • Assist with equipment receipt, installation, alignment, calibration, validation, commissioning, modification, maintenance, and repair. • Use hand tools, multimeters, precision measurement tools, fixtures, and test equipment safely and correctly. • Follow approved safety, PPE, quality, lockout/tagout, configuration-control, and engineering-change requirements.Troubleshooting, Documentation & Ownership • Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, equipment, product, and process failures using measurements, evidence, and a structured problem-solving approach. • Create and improve work instructions, setup records, inspection records, maintenance history, failure reports, and lessons learned. • Communicate status, risks, failures, and corrective actions clearly to technicians, engineers, managers, and customers. • Maintain tools, fixtures, components, consumables, spare parts, and work areas in a safe and organized condition.Deployment & Customer Support • Support equipment installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, acceptance activities, and user training at customer sites. • Represent Darkhive professionally, capture field feedback, and communicate customer-site observations to the appropriate teams. • Travel with the Deployment Manager or another qualified team member during initial deployments; take on greater independence as capability develops. • Perform other duties assigned by management in support of company and customer objectives.Qualifications You Bring • Soldering Experience is highly desired • Relevant hands-on experience assembling, operating, maintaining, installing, or troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, aerospace, automotive, industrial, or automated equipment. • Ability to use common hand and power tools and safely take basic electrical measurements with a multimeter. • Ability to read and work from mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, specifications, and technical work instructions. • Strong mechanical assembly, inspection, measurement, and workmanship practices with careful attention to detail. • Structured problem-solving ability and sound judgment when working from incomplete instructions. • Practical computer skills for documentation, communication, equipment interfaces, and basic software configuration. • Ability to write clear technical documentation and explain findings to technical and nontechnical stakeholders. • Ability to work independently, manage changing priorities, and drive assigned work to completion within safety, quality, and engineering controls. • Ability to work effectively with technicians, engineers, managers, and customers while demonstrating curiosity, communication, respect, initiative, humility, and autonomy. • Relevant technical education, certifications, apprenticeships, military technical training, or equivalent demonstrated experience. A specific degree is not required.Bonus Qualifications • Soldering proficiency or an industry-recognized soldering certification. • Experience with calipers, micrometers, indicators, gauges, or other precision measurement tools. • Experience with BLDC motors, motor winding or termination, wire harnesses, or electromechanical product assembly. • Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, industrial controls, sensors, pneumatics, robotics, CNC, or automated manufacturing equipment. • Equipment installation, calibration, commissioning, field service, preventive maintenance, or corrective maintenance experience. • Experience in NPI, prototype, low-rate production, aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, or another quality-controlled manufacturing environment. • An active security clearance. This is helpful but not required at the time of application.SkillBridge OpportunitiesDarkhive is an approved DoD SkillBridge organization. Eligible service members may be considered for a SkillBridge internship that could lead to full-time employment based on performance, business need, program requirements, command approval, and Darkhive's standard hiring process. SkillBridge participation does not guarantee permanent employment. Transferable military backgrounds may include avionics, aviation maintenance, electronics, electromechanical repair, robotics, communications, automotive or ground equipment, industrial maintenance, calibration, and quality assurance.Growth OpportunityThis position begins as an individual contributor. As you demonstrate technical capability, sound judgment, customer readiness, and leadership, the role may grow into a Lead Technician or Deployment Lead position coordinating technicians and leading customer-site deployments.Physical and/or Mental Requirements • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and periodically bend, reach, kneel, or work around manufacturing equipment. • Ability to perform detailed assembly, inspection, measurement, and computer-based documentation with or without accommodation. • Ability to move tools, components, fixtures, and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. • Ability to use required PPE, which may include safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, gloves, and task-specific protection. • Ability to maintain awareness, follow safety procedures, learn routine and evolving tasks, and manage changing priorities during business hours. • Excellent written and verbal communication and a good command of the English language. • Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. • Darkhive retains the right to change or assign other duties as required for this position.
US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Space Force
San Antonio, Texas
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