Job Title: Wire Harness Technician Aerospace Test & AssemblyJob DescriptionThis hands-on Wire Harness Technician role supports advanced aerospace engine development, instrumentation, and test operations within a fast-paced propulsion program. You will build and integrate wiring harnesses and test hardware, support engine and rig assembly, and work closely with engineering, supply chain, EHS, and cross-functional teams to validate next-generation jet engine designs using cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies.
Responsibilities
- Assemble and disassemble components, modules, rigs, and engines used for development and test operations, ensuring all mechanical and electrical interfaces are correctly installed and documented.
- Install instrumentation, including thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, and accelerometers on test hardware and facility systems, with particular focus on proper wiring, routing, and protection of harnesses.
- Perform mechanical and electrical work in test cells, including cable installation, pipe and fitting connections, instrumentation terminations, and subsystem integration to support safe and reliable engine testing.
- Build, route, and terminate complex wiring harnesses using Visio harness pinout diagrams, including branches, splices, shielding, and connectors, while following best practices for strain relief and abrasion protection.
- Support electrical panel buildouts, perform checkout procedures, and integrate panels with facility systems and data acquisition platforms to enable accurate and repeatable test measurements.
- Assist in developing checkout and test procedures for rigs, engines, and facility operations, contributing practical insight from hands-on assembly and wiring activities.
- Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation issues during test preparation and execution, including ring-out and contact retention checks on harnesses and connectors.
- Contribute to detailed work instructions for assembly, disassembly, and integration of test hardware, ensuring wiring harness configurations and instrumentation layouts are clearly defined.
- Support test campaign planning by providing input on requirements, scheduling, hardware procurement, wiring harness needs, and data capture strategies.
- Assist in the design, construction, and operation of mechanical and electrical systems for testing and data acquisition, including auxiliary systems that support engine and rig operation.
- Participate in design reviews and collaborate with design, performance, controls, and systems engineering teams to ensure harness designs and instrumentation plans meet test and operational requirements.
- Work with suppliers to procure hardware, wiring components, and connectors, and help resolve quality or producibility issues related to harnesses and instrumentation.
- Document technical data accurately, report issues promptly, and support root-cause analysis and corrective-action efforts for mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation problems.
- Travel occasionally to partner sites, including Cincinnati, Ohio, to support test operations, hardware integration, and cross-site collaboration.
Essential Skills
- Hands-on mechanical and/or electrical experience with rigs, gas turbines, or development test cells.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in aerospace, aviation, or gas turbine testing environments.
- Strong understanding of assembly processes, instrumentation integration, and new-product testing for aviation gas turbines.
- Experience working with aviation gas turbines from a test or development perspective.
- Ability to read and interpret complex Visio harness pinout diagrams, including branches, splices, shielding, and connectors.
- Proven experience building wiring harnesses with minimal oversight while maintaining high quality and reliability.
- Proficiency in crimping and soldering, including work with D-sub and mil-spec circular connectors.
- Familiarity with best practices for strain relief and abrasion protection in wiring harness design and installation.
- Ability to perform ring-out and contact retention checks on harnesses and connectors to verify continuity and integrity.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with engineering, supply chain, and test teams.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and comfort working in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment with evolving technologies.
- Ability to adapt quickly to new tools, methods, and technologies, including advanced propulsion and test systems.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to partner sites, including Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification strongly preferred.
- Experience with additive manufacturing technologies and design for additive principles.
- Background in auxiliary systems related to engine testing and data acquisition.
- Experience contributing to work instructions, procedures, and documentation for assembly, disassembly, and integration activities.
- Comfort participating in design reviews and providing practical feedback from a hands-on technician perspective.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while also thriving in cross-functional, collaborative teams.
Work EnvironmentThe role is based within a mission-driven, high-intensity, fast-growing aerospace organization focused on advanced jet propulsion systems and unmanned aerial defense. The environment emphasizes rapid design-build-test cycles, additive manufacturing, and visible, real-world impact rather than purely theoretical or paper engineering. Work is highly hands-on in test cells, labs, and assembly areas, involving mechanical and electrical systems, wiring harnesses, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment. The pace can be demanding, with long hours and intense pushes around engine builds, test campaigns, and customer milestones, which many employees find rewarding due to the direct contribution to national security and defense. The company operates facilities in multiple locations, including Colorado, Tennessee, and Ohio, and occasional travel to partner sites such as Cincinnati may be required. The culture values initiative, ownership, and collaboration across engineering, supply chain, and operations, offering a strong opportunity to get a meaningful foot in the door in a cutting-edge aerospace and defense environment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Centennial, CO. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $35.00 - $40.00/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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Centennial, CO. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Centennial,CO.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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
