Electronics Assembly Technician

About the team

This is the heart of CTT's manufacturing floor. Almost every tracking device we make passes through a pair of hands at a bench — soldered, potted, sealed, tested, and finished one at a time.

Job Description: Electronics Assembly Technician

Department: Manufacturing
Reports to: Manufacturing Manager
Location: Rio Grande, NJ (on-site)
Status: Full-time, hourly

Alternate titles considered: Precision Assembly Technician · Electromechanical Assembly Technician · Assembly Technician I/II

Position Summary

This is the heart of CTT's manufacturing floor. Almost every tracking device we make passes through a pair of hands at a bench — soldered, potted, sealed, tested, and finished one at a time.

The Electronics Assembly Technician builds CTT's wildlife tracking hardware: soldering fine-gauge wire and antennas onto miniature circuit boards, assembling batteries and solar panels, mixing and dispensing epoxy to encapsulate assemblies that have to survive years on a wild animal, and testing the finished product. Some of our tags weigh less than a gram. The tolerance for sloppy work is essentially zero — and the reward is that a researcher on another continent gets years of data from something you built.

We are looking for someone with real soldering ability and the temperament for precision work. Everything else — our specific processes, epoxies, and products — we will teach.

At CTT teams are small and nimble, and team members are often called upon to assist outside their primary duties. As we grow we're pushing toward more cross-training and resisting the siloing that happens during rapid growth.

Key Responsibilities

Soldering

• Hand solder through-hole and surface-mount components, including fine-pitch parts, under magnification
• Solder fine-gauge and magnet wire, coax, antennas, connectors, and battery leads
• Produce solder joints meeting IPC-A-610 Class 2/3 acceptability criteria
• Perform hot-air rework and component removal/replacement as needed
• Work toward understanding and certification in J-STD-001 standards

Component Identification & Electrical Fundamentals

• Proficiently identify and evaluate electrical and electronic components: capacitors, resistors, diodes, FETs, inductors, ICs, and connector styles in both SMT and through-hole packages
• Identify and understand polarity and orientation on components and circuits
• Read Bills of Materials, assembly drawings, and work instruction specs

Wire, Cable & Harness Assembly

• Strip, tin, crimp, and terminate wire and cable
• Build harnesses and interconnects to IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship expectations
• Proficiently operate hand and power tools for assembly prep: wire cutters, crimpers, pliers, screwdrivers, soldering irons, hot-air rework stations, sandblasting equipment, and drills

Epoxy, Potting & Encapsulation

• Mix two-part epoxies and urethanes accurately by weight or volume ratio
• Degas and dispense potting compound; pot and encapsulate assemblies without voids or entrapment
• Work within pot life constraints and follow cure schedules exactly
• Prepare molds, apply release agents, and demold finished parts cleanly
• Perform surface preparation (solvent clean, abrasion) for reliable adhesion
• Apply conformal coating to specification
• Trim, deburr, and finish potted assemblies

Battery, Solar & Mechanical Assembly

• Assemble, prep, and test lithium primary and rechargeable cells, following safe-handling procedures
• Assemble and test 6.0V / 3.0V / 1.8V solar panels, housings, cases, and other manufacturing components
• Post-process 3D-printed components: sifting, bead blasting, and quality inspection
• Assemble completed units per product specification and work instruction spec

Test & Troubleshooting

• Conduct multimeter tests on electrical connections; troubleshoot assemblies using a digital multimeter
• Operate and test production and experimental control systems and circuits as directed
• Manage test bed modules and builds for solar charging, GPS, cellular signal, RF signal, and overall performance
• Work fluidly between GSM and radio product lines as required
• Identify failures, document them accurately, and escalate what you can't resolve

Quality & Documentation

• Check your own work — QA starts with you
• Complete assembly documentation and traceability records for every product
• Use the computer to work orders, inventory, and defective material documentation
• Working knowledge of Airtable, MegaMonitor, TrackerIO, and NextGen Tools (training provided)
• Review assembly procedures and recommend improvements to quality and efficiency

Team

• Help the department meet published goals for safety, quality, and efficiency
• Promote good employee relations and high morale
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect by working constructively with co-workers
• Follow all safety rules, chemical handling procedures, and ESD practices
• Cross-train across departments, build skillsets, and pitch in whenever needed

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Demonstrated hand-soldering skill — this is the core of the job, and we will ask you to solder as part of the interview
• Comfortable working under magnification for extended periods; steady hands and good near vision (correctable)
• Ability to follow written procedures precisely and consistently
• Comfortable working with epoxies, solvents, and adhesives using provided PPE
• Basic computer literacy for order, inventory, and documentation systems
• Meticulous attention to detail and reliable attendance

Preferred

• J-STD-001 and/or IPC-A-610 certification
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 (cable and wire harness) experience
• Microscope soldering experience
• Experience with two-part epoxy, potting, encapsulation, or conformal coating
• Electronics manufacturing experience in a low-volume, high-mix environment
• Lithium battery handling experience
• Background in a precision trade — jewelry, watchmaking, dental lab, model making, luthiery, or similar transfers well
• Interest in wildlife, conservation, or field research

Performance Metrics

• First-pass yield and rework rate on completed assemblies
• Units completed against production schedule
• Accuracy and completeness of build and traceability documentation
• Defects caught at your own bench versus escaping to final QA
• Contribution to procedure and process improvements

Working Conditions

On-site at our Rio Grande, NJ facility. Bench work with extended periods of seated, close-focus precision assembly. Regular use of magnification and soldering equipment. Exposure — with provided PPE and ventilation — to solder flux and fumes, isopropyl alcohol, two-part epoxies and urethanes, and abrasive blasting media. Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Standard weekday schedule with occasional flexibility needed around production deadlines and shipping crunches.

About CTT

Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT) is a global leader in wildlife telemetry and IoT solutions, headquartered in Cape May County, NJ. CTT was founded in 2007 by a team of scientists and engineers who wanted to vastly improve the state of wildlife telemetry.

CTT brings the newest innovations and highest levels of service to the wildlife research market and has now operated in over 50 countries. We are a nimble company that constantly strives to improve our products to support conservation research around the globe.

From the beginning, CTT has had a strong commitment to our local community, conservation, and sustainability, and currently works with several local nonprofits and government organizations. Our staff has donated their time to help oversee a variety of local projects, sit on local boards, and volunteer on many community projects.

The hardware you build here goes onto eagles, bats, butterflies, and shorebirds on six continents. It's a rare manufacturing job where you can see exactly what your work is for.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training and certification (IPC / J-STD-001)

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

CTT values a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.

Date Reviewed: August 31, 2026

1293 Hornet Road, Suite #1, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 USA · (609) 889-0305 · www.celltracktech.com