Sr. Systems Technician

ACTalent; Redmond; On-site; AUD 101,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Sr. Systems Technician to support the development and optimization of high-performance processes for optical communication systems.

The role emphasizes efficiency, safety, repeatability, and scale-up from prototype to full production within a multi-disciplinary engineering team. You will work on documenting workflows, SOPs, and validation protocols, collaborating across design, manufacturing, and quality, while maintaining rigorous documentation practices on the production

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field with 3+ years in process development.
• Hands-on experience with process improvement in technical environments.
• Proven technical writing experience, including SOPs and reports.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience creating and maintaining work instructions and process docs.
• Familiar with optical, fiber optics, and electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine processes for efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
• Evaluate workflows to improve yield, throughput, and repeatability.
• Apply DOE, Lean, and Six Sigma to optimize performance.
• Scale processes from bench to full production.
• Develop SOPs, protocols, and validation reports.
• Collaborate across design, manufacturing, and quality teams.
• Capture knowledge and maintain documentation.

Skills

Process development experience

Technical writing

Analytical problem-solving

Explain complex concepts

Documentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Equivalent experience in related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Python

Simulation software

Document management systems

Job description

Job Title: Sr. Systems TechnicianJob Description

The Sr. Systems Technician supports the development and optimization of complex processes that transform inputs into high-performance products and systems. This role focuses on improving efficiency, safety, and repeatability while supporting scale-up from prototype to full production. You will work closely with a multi-disciplinary engineering team to develop, document, and refine workflows and processes used in high bandwidth free-space optical communication systems between satellites.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine processes that convert raw materials or inputs into finished products, with a strong focus on efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

• Evaluate existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement data-driven improvements to enhance yield, throughput, and repeatability.

• Apply structured process improvement methods, such as Design of Experiments (DOE), Lean, and Six Sigma, to optimize performance and consistency.

• Assist in scaling processes from bench, pilot, or prototype stages into full-scale operations while maintaining product integrity and regulatory compliance.

• Support new assembly and integration activities, including equipment setup, qualification campaigns, and process validation.

• Monitor and analyze process metrics to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement, then track results and refine approaches.

• Participate in root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for process deviations and nonconformities.

• Write and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, process specifications, and validation protocols and reports.

• Translate complex technical information into clear, step-by-step documentation, including process flow diagrams and visual aids.

• Manage document control activities, including review, approval, versioning, periodic updates, and adherence to good documentation practices.

• Develop training materials and collaborate with selected team members to train staff on new or updated processes and workflows.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams in design, manufacturing, and quality to integrate new processes with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

• Capture knowledge from subject-matter experts and ensure that documented procedures accurately reflect real practices on the production floor.

• Contribute to process development and improvement initiatives involving optical, fiber optics, and electrical systems in support of high bandwidth communication technologies.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, a related technical field, or equivalent experience.

• 3+ years of experience in process development, process engineering, or a related laboratory or manufacturing role.

• Hands-on experience with process improvement and process development in technical environments.

• Proven technical writing experience, including authoring SOPs, protocols, and technical reports.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decisions and improvements.

• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience creating and maintaining work instructions and process documentation.

• Familiarity with process improvements in optical, fiber optics, and electrical systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced education or certification in process optimization, Lean Six Sigma, regulatory compliance, or technical communication.

• Proficiency with CAD tools, such as AutoCAD, and experience with simulation or modeling software.

• Familiarity with automation in manufacturing or laboratory environments.

• Experience with AI and data analysis tools, such as JMP, Minitab, or Python, to support process analytics and optimization.

• Experience working with document management systems to maintain controlled, versioned technical documentation.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in Redmond, WA, working within a high-tech laboratory and engineering environment. You will join a multi-disciplinary team responsible for developing high bandwidth systems used in free-space optical communication between satellites. The work involves close collaboration with engineers across design, manufacturing, and quality, and centers on developing and refining sophisticated processes and workflows. You will work with advanced optical, fiber optics, and electrical technologies, as well as modern tools for data analysis, CAD, simulation, and document management. The environment emphasizes precision, safety, and rigorous documentation practices, with a culture that values continuous improvement, technical excellence, and effective cross-functional communication.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of REDMOND, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of REDMOND, WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in REDMOND,WA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.