Quality / Test Technician – Wireless Rumen Bolus

About Wandering Shepherd

Wandering Shepherd is a western Kansas livestock startup building rugged, practical animal-health technology for real ranch conditions. Our wireless rumen bolus is designed to live inside cattle and transmit reliable data over long periods. As we scale production, product reliability and traceability are non-negotiable — that’s where you come in.

What You’ll Do

• Incoming & In-Process Quality
  • Inspect incoming components (housings, PCBs, batteries, antennas, sensors) for defects or spec mismatches.
  • Perform in-process checks on assembly steps: orientation, fit, seals, potting fill, torque, cosmetics.
  • Stop the line and flag issues when quality risk is detected.
• Functional Testing
  • Run unit-level functional tests such as:
    • power-on / current draw checks
    • wireless connection & ID verification
    • sensor readout validation
    • basic calibration / pass-fail thresholds
  • Troubleshoot failed units and document failure modes clearly.
• Final Inspection & Release
  • Verify final closure integrity, labeling accuracy, and batch traceability.
  • Approve units for packaging/shipment only when they meet standards.
• Documentation & Traceability
  • Record serial numbers, test results, rework notes, and scrap reasons accurately.
  • Maintain clean test logs and simple dashboards for yields and defects.
  • Support continuous improvement by spotting patterns and recommending fixes.
• Workstation & Standards
  • Maintain ESD-safe, organized test stations.
  • Follow safety and handling protocols for electronics and chemicals (if used for sealing/potting).

Optional add-ons (if applicable): This role may support field returns analysis and failure reporting. You’ll help refine test fixtures and procedures as we scale. Cross-training with assembly is encouraged for shared ownership of quality.

Why This Role Matters

What We’re Looking For

• Strong attention to detail and a “trust-but-verify” mindset.
• Comfort working with small electronics and structured test procedures.
• Ability to interpret simple specs, tolerances, and pass/fail criteria.
• Calm, methodical troubleshooting style.
• Good written communication for documenting issues.
• Basic math + spreadsheet confidence.

Nice to Have

• 1+ year in quality control or test roles (electronics, medical devices, rugged hardware, automotive, aerospace, etc.).
• Experience with Bluetooth/LoRa/cellular device testing.
• Familiarity with potting/encapsulation or waterproof seal verification.
• Lean / root-cause tools (5 Whys, Pareto, basic yield tracking).
• Soldering or rework experience.

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage based on experience.
• Overtime during production surges.
• Paid time off.
• Training on our test equipment and quality standards.
• Growth path into Lead QA, Production Engineering, or Ops Supervisor roles.