Engineering Development Technician

About Vital Lyfe

Vital Lyfe is a tech company redefining water autonomy through innovation - creating a new category of personal water-making technology built to scale where infrastructure can't.

Mission

The engineering development technician will be a hands-on liaison with engineering, helping to carry out ideas from concept to reality. A strong background in troubleshooting, manufacturing, R&D, and qualification testing is desired. As a development technician, you will also be responsible for supporting engineering on planned and unplanned repairs, modifications, and upgrades of production systems. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in mechanical and electrical disciplines, hands-on, flexible, a quick learner, works well in a fast-paced environment, and possesses a can-do attitude.

What You'll Do

• Support production engineering during development and pre-production phases of hardware life-cycles, including building pre-production, qualification, and hardware.
• Assist with transitioning product lines from engineering development to full rate production.
• Support production engineering in the setup and activation of production lines and development and qualification of hardware test setups.
• Support engineering in rework and recovery efforts on non-conforming hardware.
• Support of existing production lines, including tooling fabrication, test rack builds (structure, low voltage, and network), test system maintenance, factory automation projects, and general production improvement projects.
• Build, repair, and rework harnessing to support hardware as well as equipment and development/qualification test assets.
• Provide targeted surge support for company critical production or qualification test efforts.

What We're Looking For

• AA/BS or US Military or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, mechanical builds, equipment assembly/test (or equivalent years of higher education).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with engineers in development and production environments.
• Able to work independently and problem solve efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Positive attitude and able to work well on a team.
• Willingness to provide constructive feedback to the engineering and production teams to improve tooling designs, processes and parts.
• Able to stay organized with strong attention to detail.
• Able to read and interpret wiring schematics and assembly drawings.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work all shifts, over time, and weekends as needed.

Physical Job Requirements - Essential Functions

• Hands on work on development hardware.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Hands on work on development hardware.
• Long periods of standing, crouching, walking.
• Must be able to climb ladders and be comfortable working in tight spaces.
• Must be able to move repetitively, bend or twist, and use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

Why Join Vital Lyfe?

• Work on high-impact problems with global relevance.
• Help scale breakthrough technology in water security and climate resilience.
• Early ownership in a high-growth, engineering-led startup.
• Join a tight-knit, mission-driven team in a fast-paced environment.
• Build long-term career equity as we grow.

Location Requirement: Ability to work 100% onsite in Torrance, CA (remote or hybrid work will not be considered)

Vital Lyfe is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vital Lyfe is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.