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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electronics Engineering Technician

💰 $45,000 - $85,000

EngineeringElectronicsTechnicianManufacturingR&D

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a proactive Electronics Engineering Technician to support product development, prototyping, and production test operations. The ideal candidate will perform diagnostic troubleshooting, PCB population and rework, design verification testing, and calibration of electronic assemblies and test fixtures. This role plays a critical part in accelerating hardware development cycles, improving manufacturing yields, and ensuring product compliance with quality and safety standards. Keywords: Electronics Engineering Technician, PCB assembly, test and measurement, troubleshooting, calibration, oscilloscope, IPC-A-610, ESD control.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Electronics Technician I / Manufacturing Technician
  • Prototype Lab Technician / Assembly Technician
  • Field Service Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Electronics Technician / Lead Technician
  • Test Engineer / Validation Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer / Process Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Field Service Engineer
  • Quality Technician / Quality Engineer
  • Calibration Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assemble, populate, and visually inspect printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic modules using SMT and through-hole soldering techniques to meet IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 acceptance criteria, ensuring consistent build quality and first-pass yield.
  • Perform methodical fault isolation and component-level troubleshooting on analog, digital, and mixed-signal assemblies using multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and bench power supplies to identify defective components and circuit-level failures.
  • Configure, run, and document production and prototype validation tests using custom and commercial test fixtures; develop and refine test procedures and acceptance criteria to support product verification and manufacturing release.
  • Execute calibration, level adjustment, and certification of precision instruments and test equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, power supplies, meters) per internal schedules and ISO/IEC 17025 or company quality requirements.
  • Conduct root cause analysis for recurring defects in production and prototype phases; propose and implement corrective actions with engineering and production teams to reduce scrap, rework, and warranty issues.
  • Read, interpret, and verify electronic schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and assembly drawings; apply schematic understanding to wire harness assembly, connectorization, and mechanical-electrical integration.
  • Perform rework, component replacement, and micro-soldering repairs on PCBs using hot air rework stations, soldering irons, and microscopes to recover assemblies and minimize downtime.
  • Assist engineers by building prototypes, modifying hardware, and executing design verification tests; provide detailed test logs and failure analysis to accelerate iterative design improvements.
  • Maintain and document configuration control for hardware builds, including serial numbers, lot tracking, device programming records, and changes to BOMs or assembly work instructions.
  • Implement and enforce ESD control practices, proper handling, and storage for static-sensitive components, including station grounding, wrist straps, and ESD-safe packaging.
  • Support development, calibration, and troubleshooting of functional test software and automated test equipment (ATE); collaborate with software engineers to debug test scripts and measurement logic.
  • Fabricate and maintain simple mechanical fixtures, cable harnesses, and custom test jigs to support validation, bench testing, and field service requirements.
  • Execute environmental, thermal, vibration, and electrical stress tests in collaboration with validation teams and collect, analyze, and summarize test data for compliance and engineering review.
  • Participate in design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) reviews to provide technician-level feedback that improves assembly ease, test coverage, and yield.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians and production assemblers on soldering techniques, test routines, inspection criteria, and safety practices to raise team proficiency and consistency.
  • Support incoming inspection and first article inspection (FAI) activities, performing visual checks, mechanical measurements, and electrical verification to validate supplier parts and assemblies.
  • Maintain accurate lab and production documentation, including work orders, inspection reports, calibration logs, and nonconformance reports (NCRs) to satisfy ISO/quality audit readiness.
  • Assist with BOM reconciliation, component kitting, and material issue to assembly lines to ensure accurate parts flow and reduce line stoppages.
  • Operate and maintain solder paste reflow ovens, selective soldering equipment, wave soldering machines (where applicable), and SMT pick-and-place support to keep the assembly process stable.
  • Support field failure analysis and on-site repair activities when required, preparing detailed repair reports and recommendations to improve field reliability and serviceability.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives by collecting process metrics, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing small-scale Kaizen improvements in assembly and test flow.
  • Ensure lab and shop safety by following electrical safety rules, lockout/tagout, chemical handling protocols, and housekeeping standards, reducing risk to personnel and equipment.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc build requests, rapid prototyping sprints, and urgent production fixes with flexible shift availability.
  • Contribute to the organization's product maturity and production readiness checklists by providing technician-level acceptance input.
  • Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to qualify alternative components and expedite replacements when long-lead items impact builds.
  • Participate in cross-functional sprint planning, design reviews, and weekly engineering standups to coordinate test readiness and resource allocation.
  • Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), assembly work instructions, and test documentation to reflect process changes and lessons learned.
  • Assist quality and regulatory teams during internal and external audits by providing evidence of calibration, traceability, and compliance documentation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven proficiency in PCB assembly and rework: SMT and through-hole soldering, micro-soldering, hot-air reflow, and component replacement.
  • Test and measurement expertise with bench instruments: oscilloscope, digital multimeter, function/signal generator, power supplies, spectrum analyzer, and logic analyzer.
  • Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics, BOMs, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings to assemble, test, and repair systems.
  • Experience with IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship standards and familiarity with IPC training or certification preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with test fixture setup, functional test scripting, ATE support, and basic automation troubleshooting.
  • Calibration and preventive maintenance of test equipment; knowledge of calibration standards and recordkeeping.
  • Competence with ESD control programs, clean handling, and static-sensitive device procedures.
  • Familiarity with laboratory software and tools: LabVIEW, TestStand, NI hardware, basic Python or scripting for test automation is a plus.
  • Diagnostic and fault-isolation skills for analog and digital circuits, power supplies, op-amps, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and RF front-ends.
  • Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes, DFM/DFT principles, and production test strategy development.
  • Experience with quality systems (ISO 9001) and documentation practices including FAI, NCR, CAPA, and FMEA contributions.
  • Basic mechanical skills for assembling enclosures, cable harnesses, connectors, and custom test fixtures.
  • Competence in solder paste handling, reflow profiling, and SMT process parameters where applicable.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical problem-solving and logical troubleshooting ability with a systematic approach to isolating failures.
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to workmanship and documentation accuracy.
  • Clear verbal and written communication to collaborate with engineers, manufacturing, and suppliers and to produce concise repair and test reports.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance prototype builds, test cycles, and production support.
  • Team-orientation with the ability to mentor juniors and accept feedback to continuously improve processes.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to respond to shifting priorities in fast-paced R&D and production environments.
  • Customer-focused mindset when supporting field repairs and serviceability improvements.
  • Initiative and continuous improvement orientation: ability to propose, implement, and measure process improvements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, or equivalent hands-on experience (commonly 1–3 years of relevant work).

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or related field for roles with advanced troubleshooting or test automation responsibilities.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechatronics / Industrial Electronics
  • Applied Physics / Instrumentation
  • Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of hands-on electronics assembly, test, and repair experience for mid-level roles; 0–2 years for entry-level technician roles.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years supporting PCB assembly, calibration, and test in a manufacturing or R&D lab environment.
  • Demonstrated experience with IPC standards, test fixture operation, and troubleshooting mixed-signal electronics.
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