Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Verification Systems Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Verification Systems Technician is responsible for installing, configuring, calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting verification and test systems used to validate product, component, and network performance. This hands-on role supports engineering and quality teams by executing qualification tests, maintaining test benches, documenting results to quality standards, and improving test automation and repeatability. The ideal Verification Systems Technician has strong electronics and instrumentation experience, proficiency with test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, multimeters), familiarity with automated test scripts (LabVIEW, Python), and a disciplined approach to traceability, safety, and continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Electronics Technician
Test Technician / Lab Technician
Field Service Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Verification Systems Technician
Test Engineer / Validation Engineer
Systems Integration Engineer
Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer / QA Lead

Lateral Moves:

Calibration Technician
Field Service Engineer
Production Test Lead
Automation/Script Developer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, assemble, and maintain verification test stations, fixtures, and harnesses to support functional and performance testing of electronic assemblies and systems, ensuring repeatable and safe operation.
Execute verification and qualification test plans according to engineering and QA documentation, capturing detailed, traceable test results and clearly documenting anomalies for engineering review.
Calibrate and verify precision test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers, power meters) to manufacturer specifications and company calibration intervals, and maintain calibration records and certificates.
Troubleshoot electrical and electronic faults at the component and system level using schematics, bench equipment, and structured fault isolation techniques; drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
Develop, maintain, and improve automated test sequences and data acquisition scripts using LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to increase throughput, reduce human error, and standardize testing across product families.
Integrate and validate test software with hardware under test (HUT), including writing instrument drivers, implementing communication interfaces (GPIB, USB, LXI, Ethernet), and verifying timing and command-response behavior.
Perform RF and signal-integrity verification for wired and wireless subsystems, including spectrum analysis, signal characterization, modulation analysis, and cable/connector validation.
Configure and manage data logging, database uploads, and test result archival in line with ERP/MES or LIMS systems; ensure data is searchable, auditable, and compliant with company retention policies.
Collaborate with design engineers to translate test requirements into hardware and software testable specifications and suggest design-for-testability (DFT) improvements.
Execute environmental, thermal, vibration, and mechanical verification tests in coordination with environmental labs, ensuring test setups meet the defined fixture and instrumentation requirements.
Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and test plans to reflect changes in product design, test method optimizations, and regulatory requirements.
Support first article inspections and production verification trials by providing on-floor test support, training production personnel, and documenting verification outcomes.
Enforce and improve safety practices and ESD controls at verification workstations, including audits, PPE enforcement, and grounding/ionization checks.
Coordinate with suppliers and external test houses to source specialized test services, compare results, and reconcile differences between in-house and vendor verification data.
Lead or participate in verification review meetings, representing test capability, constraints, and recommended mitigations to program managers and design teams.
Validate firmware/software updates in test environments, perform regression testing on verification platforms, and maintain version control of test assets.
Manage spare parts, test tool inventories, and procurement of consumables to minimize downtime and maintain continuous verification operations.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives (6S, Kaizen) focused on increasing test yield, reducing test time, and improving data accuracy and readability.
Provide second-line support for field verification issues escalated from service teams, contributing to field failure analysis and in-situ verification strategies.
Prepare verification reports, nonconformance reports (NCRs), and contribute to root-cause failure analysis documentation used in CAPA processes and design change requests.
Participate in cross-functional validation activities for product launches, ensuring verification test scope covers compliance, performance, and interoperability requirements across systems.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Train and mentor junior technicians and production staff on verification procedures, test bench use, and documentation best practices.
Help define acceptance criteria and go/no-go gates for production releases and supplier shipments based on verification data.
Assist in procurement evaluations by testing sample equipment and providing technical feedback to purchasing and engineering teams.
Maintain and enhance fixture designs and 3D models used for verification to improve ergonomics and repeatability.
Support regulatory and compliance testing preparation by organizing test artifacts and ensuring traceable documentation is available for audits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and precision meters.
Practical experience in RF verification, signal integrity testing, cable and connector verification, and impedance measurements.
Hands-on knowledge of automated test development using LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting languages for instrument control and data collection.
Familiarity with communication protocols (GPIB, LXI, SCPI, USB, Ethernet) and ability to write or adapt instrument drivers and APIs.
Experience with PCB-level diagnostics, soldering, component-level replacement, and using schematics and BOMs to troubleshoot hardware.
Competence in calibration practices, certificate management, and interfacing with ISO 17025/ISO 9001 processes.
Understanding of environmental test methods (thermal, vibration, shock) and fixture design to support those tests.
Experience with data logging, databases, MES/ERP integration, and test result archival for traceability and analytics.
Ability to read and create technical documentation: test plans, SOPs, verification reports, and NCR/CAPA documentation.
Familiarity with version control systems (Git), test automation frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines for test software.
Knowledge of safety practices, ESD control, PPE use, and lab hazard mitigation in a verification environment.
Experience using CAD/3D printing tools or collaborating with mechanical engineers to develop test fixtures and jigs.

Soft Skills

Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills with attention to detail and methodical fault isolation.
Excellent written and verbal communication to clearly document test results, write reports, and coordinate cross-functional actions.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance high-priority verification tasks against scheduled test campaigns.
Team-player attitude with demonstrated ability to collaborate across engineering, production, quality, and supply chain teams.
Adaptability to changing product requirements and the ability to learn new instruments, protocols, and software quickly.
Customer-focused mindset when supporting field issues or supplier verification interactions.
Initiative to identify process improvements and lead small-scale implementation projects.
Coaching and mentoring ability to bring junior technicians up to speed on complex verification tasks.
High integrity and adherence to audit and compliance requirements.
Comfortable working in lab, cleanroom, and production floor environments and prepared to follow onsite safety procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, or equivalent military/industrial training.
Or high school diploma with a minimum of 3-5 years of directly relevant verification and test experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electronics Technology
Electrical Engineering / Electrical Engineering Technology
Computer Engineering / Embedded Systems
Mechatronics / Instrumentation
Telecommunications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on test and verification experience in electronics, RF, telecommunications, or aerospace/defense environments.

Preferred: 5+ years performing system-level verification, test automation (LabVIEW/Python), calibration program experience, and working within regulated or high-reliability industries (aerospace, medical, telecom). Relevant certifications (e.g., IPC solder certification, ISO calibration training, LabVIEW certification) are a plus.