Prototyping Lab Technician, Wearables

Location: San Francisco
Workplace: On-site
Compensation: $100k – $200k

About this role

About Ironsite

Ironsite is building the intelligence layer for the physical world. We design our own wearable hardware, deploy it alongside craft workers, and transform a shift's footage into a next-morning report. Our internal team and purpose-built models label the data overnight and deliver actionable insights to superintendents by 5 AM.

We are accelerating the speed, efficiency, and predictability of construction, especially for complex, mission-critical infrastructure projects, including data centers, LNG facilities, sports stadiums, hospitals, and other large-scale developments, by training AI models on egocentric construction footage and labor productivity data. We are built with a pro-worker philosophy at our core: we believe technology should empower the workforce, not replace it. We're working to give craft workers and project leaders better visibility into what's happening on-site, while creating a system where the reality of construction and the chaos of each day is finally available to the people running the project.

Ironsite is deployed across several of the largest active construction projects in the country. To date, we've captured more than 100,000 hours of construction footage across seven states, now process thousands of hours of site activity every day, and maintain a worker opt-out rate below two percent. This is enabled by a workforce-first architecture that anonymizes devices, captures no audio, and never releases raw video.

Ironsite is backed by leading investors (8VC, South Park Commons, Saga Ventures) and prominent operators across technology and construction, including Eric Schmidt, Jeff Dean, Jeff Rothschild, Mark Leslie, Scott Wu, Eric Glyman, Karim Atiyeh, Russell Kaplan, and others, alongside over a dozen construction industry operators who have joined us as partners in building this.

Longer term, we believe Ironsite is the foundation for what construction becomes in the next decade. We think the systems we're building are the operating system for how the physical world gets built, and will unlock a fundamentally different way of respect for our workforce. One where craft workers are more valued, more visible, and better paid for the skill they bring, and where the industry finally has the intelligence layer that makes autonomous construction possible. Both futures start with the same foundation.

The Role

We're hiring a Prototyping Lab Technician to own the hands-on work of turning Ironsite's next hardware ideas into real, tested, field-ready devices.

You'll build prototypes, solder and rework boards, machine and print custom parts, design test fixtures in CAD, run validation tests, and, critically, get new hardware iterations out of the lab and into the field. Working closely with our electrical, mechanical, firmware, and product design engineers, you'll be the person who moves an idea from a schematic on a screen to a working device on a hardhat, faster than anyone else on the team.

This role sits at the intersection of the lab and the field. You'll partner with our Forward Deployed Engineers to push new hardware revisions onto active jobsites for real-world validation, gather feedback from the workforce and the field team, and bring that learning back into the next build cycle. You're not just building prototypes and handing them off. You own the loop.

If you love working with your hands, are equally comfortable at a soldering station and in CAD, and get energized by seeing something you built end up on a real jobsite next week, this is the role for you.

What You'll Own

Prototype build.

Assemble complex electromechanical prototypes and proof-of-concept devices using hand tools, power tools, and specialized equipment.
Perform fine-pitch SMT and through-hole soldering, PCB rework and modifications, wire harness assembly, and connector crimping.
Support new hardware revisions from first article through iterative build cycles, keeping build quality high enough that test results reflect the design, not the assembly.

CAD and custom part fabrication.

Design custom test fixtures, jigs, cabling harnesses, and small mechanical parts in CAD (SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, Fusion 360, or similar).
Fabricate custom parts using rapid prototyping tools: 3D printers, laser cutters, and benchtop CNC mills.
Iterate quickly on fixture and part designs based on what the build and test process actually needs.

Test execution and validation.

Run functional, stress, reliability, and environmental tests according to plans defined by engineering.
Use standard lab instrumentation (multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers) to characterize hardware and isolate issues.
Collect, document, and report clean test data so engineers can act on it quickly.

Field iteration and validation.

Partner with our Forward Deployed Engineers to get new hardware revisions from the lab onto active jobsites for real-world testing.
Prepare, pack, and ship prototype devices with the documentation and instructions the field team needs to deploy them successfully.
Debug field issues remotely, and when needed, travel to jobsites to support hardware validation directly.
Bring structured feedback from the field back into the lab so the next build cycle is faster and better than the last.

Troubleshooting and support.

Identify, debug, and troubleshoot prototype hardware or wiring issues during assembly, test, and field deployment.
Support engineering investigations with clean data, clear observations, and hands-on iteration.
Help engineers separate design issues from build issues so root cause is found fast.

Lab operations.

Maintain an organized, safe, and well-equipped R&D workshop and electronics bench.
Manage parts inventory, tool calibration, and equipment upkeep.
Keep the lab ready for the next build cycle, whenever it starts.

What We're Looking For

Required

2-5+ years of hands-on experience as an R&D technician, prototype assembler, or bench technician in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
Strong proficiency in soldering (SMT and through-hole), component rework, wire stripping, and connector crimping.
Strong mechanical assembly skills using precision tools: calipers, micrometers, torque drivers, drill press, and standard hand tools.
Working proficiency in CAD (SOLIDWORKS, Onshape, Fusion 360, or similar). You don't need to design production parts, but you need to be able to design and iterate on test fixtures, custom cabling, and small mechanical pieces yourself.
Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping tools: 3D printers, laser cutters, or benchtop CNC.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical CAD drawings, electrical schematics, and bills of materials.
Familiarity with standard electrical test equipment: multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers.
Strong practical troubleshooting skills and a methodical approach to identifying hardware bugs.
Clear written and verbal communication skills for logging test results, documenting builds, and collaborating with engineers and field team members.
Willingness to travel to active jobsites occasionally (typically a few days per month) to support field validation of new hardware.
Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities shift quickly and no two days look the same.

Strongly preferred

Prior experience supporting hardware development at a wearables, consumer electronics, or ruggedized hardware company.
IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001 soldering certifications.
Experience supporting field deployment or field testing of hardware, especially in outdoor or industrial environments.
Basic familiarity with microcontroller setup (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar) or automated test software (LabVIEW, Python scripts).

Nice to have

Associate's degree or trade certification in Electronics, Mechanical Technology, or a related field.
Experience supporting camera or optical assembly work.
Familiarity with battery pack assembly and safe handling procedures.
Experience with small production runs, pilot builds, or NPI ramp support.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Hands-on role requiring daily on-site presence in our R&D lab.
Occasional travel to active construction jobsites for hardware field validation, typically a few days per month.
Ability to lift up to 35-50 lbs occasionally.
Visual acuity to perform fine-pitch soldering and precision mechanical alignment under magnification.
Comfort with standard lab safety protocols including chemical handling, ESD protection, and equipment safety.
Comfort working in active construction environments as needed for field validation, including outdoor conditions and compliance with site-specific safety requirements.

Location, Compensation, & Perks

San Francisco Bay Area (on-site)
Base salary: $100k-$200k per year, commensurate with experience
Significant early-stage equity
Full benefits including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with 6% match
Daily catered breakfast and lunch
Office in San Francisco, next to Oracle Park and the Caltrain

Final compensation is determined by experience, location, and level.

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