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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electrical Engineering Technician

💰 $ - $

EngineeringElectricalTechnicianManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

The Electrical Engineering Technician supports engineering and operations by building, testing, troubleshooting and maintaining electrical and electronic systems, test fixtures, and equipment. This role bridges hands-on assembly and field execution with engineering documentation, ensuring reliable product performance from prototype through production and service. Ideal candidates combine practical electrical skills (soldering, wiring, oscilloscope use) with strong safety awareness, clear documentation practices, and the ability to partner with design, manufacturing, and field teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Electronics Assembler or Cable Harness Assembler
  • Field Service Technician or Maintenance Technician
  • Lab Technician or Test Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Electrical Technician / Lead Technician
  • Test Engineer or Validation Engineer
  • Maintenance Supervisor or Engineering Technician Supervisor
  • Field Service Engineer or Commissioning Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Calibration Technician
  • Quality / Process Inspector (electrical)
  • Manufacturing Technician (SMT/PCB assembly)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assemble, wire, and integrate electrical subsystems and cable harnesses according to engineering drawings and bill of materials (BOM), ensuring adherence to IPC and company workmanship standards.
  • Read, interpret, and validate electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and assembly drawings to build and modify prototypes and production units.
  • Perform functional, system-level and acceptance testing of electronic assemblies using oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, signal generators and programmable power supplies; document results in test records.
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose faults on analog and digital circuits, power supplies, motors, controllers and PLC-based systems using systematic root-cause methods and test equipment.
  • Calibrate and verify measurement instruments and sensors (temperature, pressure, voltage/current, torque) against traceable standards; update calibration records and tags.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute test procedures, standardized work instructions, and test scripts for production and R&D verification; iterate tests with engineers to improve coverage.
  • Set up and maintain automated and manual test fixtures, jigs and data-acquisition systems; program or configure test software (e.g., LabVIEW, custom scripts) as required to automate verification.
  • Support production ramp-up activities by performing first-article inspections, failure analysis of non-conforming assemblies, and implementing corrective actions with engineering and manufacturing teams.
  • Conduct in-field installation, commissioning and start-up of electrical equipment and systems; perform on-site troubleshooting and provide technical support to customers and partners.
  • Disassemble, repair, and refurbish returned products and field returns; create repair documentation, recommend design changes to reduce failure modes, and track repair metrics.
  • Apply lockout/tagout procedures, arc flash mitigation, and safe electrical work practices while performing maintenance on live or de-energized equipment; ensure PPE and safety compliance.
  • Maintain inventory of electrical components, spare parts and consumables; prepare kits for builds and manage component traceability and lot control for safety- or regulated products.
  • Perform environmental, EMC/EMI and safety testing in support of compliance activities and coordinate with third-party labs for certification testing (e.g., CE, UL).
  • Collaborate with design engineers to provide hands-on feedback for manufacturability, serviceability and testability improvements during product development cycles.
  • Execute preventive maintenance routines, reliability inspections and predictive tests on motors, drives, power systems and instrumentation to minimize downtime.
  • Record, analyze, and report test data and failure trends; provide actionable insights and documented recommendations to reduce recurring issues and improve product quality.
  • Fabricate, modify or repair printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) using rework stations, soldering irons, hot air and microscopes; follow IPC-A-610 and IPC-J-STD-001 best practices.
  • Configure and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor controllers, sensors and HMI interfaces; update firmware and maintain configuration backups.
  • Train production and field staff on electrical procedures, safe test methods, and troubleshooting techniques; create training materials and competency checklists.
  • Coordinate with vendors and subcontractors for component sourcing, contract repairs and specialized testing while ensuring procurement meets technical specifications and lead times.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen events, DFx reviews and yield improvement projects related to electrical assembly and test processes.
  • Maintain accurate documentation including build sheets, test logs, calibration certificates, service reports and engineering change notices (ECNs) in both paper and electronic systems.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist engineering with prototype assembly, lab organization and equipment procurement planning.
  • Participate in cross-functional design reviews to ensure testability and maintainability are included in product designs.
  • Help develop and maintain the spare parts list and service manuals for customer support teams.
  • Provide remote troubleshooting support via phone, email or remote access tools to field engineers and maintenance teams.
  • Support compliance documentation for internal audits and external regulatory inspections.
  • Assist in the creation of technical content for knowledge bases, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides.
  • Participate in pilot builds, design validation tests, and pilot production runs to assess manufacturability.
  • Perform light mechanical assembly and alignment tasks related to electro-mechanical systems.
  • Support project scheduling and communicate status updates to engineering and operations stakeholders.
  • Backfill other lab and field roles during peak periods or absences to maintain business continuity.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient use of test and measurement equipment: oscilloscope, digital multimeter, LCR meter, spectrum analyzer, power supplies and function generators.
  • Hands-on soldering and rework skills (through-hole and surface-mount), familiar with IPC-A-610 and IPC-J-STD-001 standards.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, BOMs and PCB layouts.
  • Experience building and troubleshooting cable harnesses, terminal blocks, connectors and crimping terminals.
  • Competence with PLCs, motor drives, relays, contactors, and basic ladder logic or structured text troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with test automation tools and software such as LabVIEW, Python scripting, or custom test frameworks.
  • Knowledge of calibration procedures and maintaining calibration records for lab and field instruments.
  • Practical experience with power electronics, DC/AC circuits, switching power supplies and grounding/bonding practices.
  • Experience with EMC/EMI pre-compliance checks, basic shielding and filtering techniques.
  • Basic CAD/Electrical CAD skills (AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, Altium/EAGLE) for reading and marking up drawings.
  • Ability to use repair rework stations, microscopes, PCB hot air tools, and mechanical hand tools safely and effectively.
  • Understanding of safety standards and regulations including lockout/tagout (LOTO), NFPA 70E and workplace electrical safety.

Soft Skills

  • Strong electrical troubleshooting and analytical mindset with methodical root-cause problem solving.
  • Clear written and verbal communication for documentation, shift handovers and cross-team collaboration.
  • High attention to detail and quality focus when performing tests, calibrations and inspections.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance reactive repairs and scheduled test activities.
  • Team player who can mentor junior technicians and work effectively with engineers and production staff.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities in prototype, R&D, and production environments.
  • Customer-focused attitude when supporting field service and commissioning tasks.
  • Initiative for continuous improvement and ability to suggest process, test or design enhancements.
  • Strong documentation discipline and data recording for traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Professional demeanor with a safety-first mindset in all hands-on tasks.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechatronics, or related trade certification (preferred).

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, or equivalent technical degree is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Electronics and Instrumentation
  • Mechatronics or Automation Technology
  • Applied Science / Technical Trades (electrical focus)
  • Industrial Maintenance or Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience in electronics assembly, test, field service, or electrical maintenance.

Preferred: 3+ years of experience performing electrical assembly, troubleshooting, calibration and test in manufacturing, lab, or field environments; experience with PLCs, test automation (LabVIEW/Python), and IPC workmanship standards preferred.

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