Automation Engineering Technician

Pacific Defense; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K match

Medical coverage

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Paid time off

Job summary

Pacific Defense in Sunnyvale, CA is seeking an Automation Engineering Technician to support the development, troubleshooting, production support, and maintenance of complex microwave and RF instrumentation. The role focuses on reading drawings, assembling PCBs, SMD and through-hole soldering, and ensuring configuration control and reliability.

You will work with Python and Linux, review hardware designs for test coverage, and transition products from design to manufacturing as part of a

Qualifications

• Experience interpreting drawings, BOMs and assembly instructions to build PCBs.
• Proficient with Python and Linux for tooling and automation.
• Ability to solder SMT and through-hole components on PCBs and lugs.
• IPC certification and readiness to work in fast-paced RF environments.

Responsibilities

• Use schematics to assemble, rework, or re-assemble units.
• Hand solder components onto PCBs and perform PCB modifications as needed.
• Perform surface mount, fine pitch and through-hole soldering tasks.
• Write or modify a board level test procedure with guidance from design engineer.
• Collect RF characterization data and follow test procedures accurately.

Skills

Reading drawings

Python

Linux

Soldering (SMT & through hole)

Cross-functional teamwork

Project status communication

IPC certified

Education

Technical degree (2-year)

Tools

Python

Linux

Job description

Location

Sunnyvale, CA

About Us

Pacific Defense is an industry leading developer of advanced RF and electronics systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers. We specialize in Open Systems Architecture solutions for the non-kinetic fight. Our vision provides cost effective, highly capable, modular, and rapidly reconfigurable systems to our customers in less than half the time of traditional defense contractors. Our team delivers sensing and effects solutions for the Land, Air, Sea and Space domains at an unprecedented pace. We accomplish this strategy by combining broad domain experience in Radar, EW, SIGINT, and Communications with a go-fast commercial execution model. Our model fully leverages Open Standards, like SOSA, CMOSS, and MORA, as well as rapid prototyping methodologies to bring our advanced capabilities to customers. The Pacific Defense family includes Perceptronics Solutions with expertise spanning signal processing, novel algorithm development, cognitive systems, high performance computing, hardware design and development, and systems integration and test. We embrace the diversity of people, ideas, and a great employee experience to drive the innovation that runs through everything we do. Pacific Defense has established an excellent reputation in our professional community and is growing our team to seize new opportunities to solve tough challenges for national defense. Come join our team and accelerate your career!

Who are we looking for?

Pacific Defense is looking for a Automation Engineering Technician to support the Sunnyvale, CA location. The position includes engineering development, troubleshooting, production support, and maintaining complex instrumentation to ensure reliability, configuration control, and specifications.

Requirements

• Experience with reading/interpreting drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and complex assembly instructions in order to assemble PCBs
• Experience with Python and Linux
• Duties include installation of connectors, substrates, components and modules in highly complex microwave assemblies, often utilizing using paste and sheet epoxies
• Experience solder both SMT and through hole parts onto PCBs
• Operate autonomous without direct engineering or management oversite
• Proven experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing as part of a cross-functional team
• Demonstrated experience in fast-paced iterative design environments with complex RF and high-speed digital processing electronic products and associated software and gateware
• Demonstrated experience with reviewing hardware designs to define test coverage
• Proven ability in communicating project status and updates across departments and disciplines
• Self-starter, with ability to work within teams or as an individual contributor to accomplish design goals
• Excellent communication (oral and written) with all levels; collaboration, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Ability to read, understand, and apply schematics and assembly drawings
• Solder fine electronics on printed circuit cards, wires, and assemblies
• Develop and troubleshoot electronics systems from incomplete information
• Must be IPC certified

Responsibilities

• Use schematics, blueprints or sketches and verbal and written instructions to assemble, rework, or re-assemble units
• Hand solder components onto PCBs
• Perform rework (i.e. 0201 size parts) and PCB modifications as needed
• Perform surface mount, fine pitch and through hole soldering
• Perform other duties assisting with PCB assembly as required
• Able to attach wires to load cell tabs by following schematics or wiring diagrams
• Able to work with precision and follow standardized, existing procedures
• Able to work with miniaturized tools such as tweezers, fine screwdrivers and soldering irons
• Write or modify a board level test procedure with guidance from design engineer
• Collect and organize RF characterization and test data, follow test procedures and instructions for the completion of assigned tasks
• Clearly communicate status using the established collaboration tools
• Demonstrate the ability to organize information, job tasks, and manage time for most efficient and "best value" performance

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent plus 6 years experience or a relevant 2-year technical degree plus 4 years or more relevant experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Benefits

• competitive salaries and immediately vested 401K match.
• We provide 100% coverage for the employee, and 75% coverage for dependents' medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums
• flexible spending account for incidental health care expenses
• We offer paid time off and federal holidays to spend time with family, pursue outside interests, or just get some extra rest.

Pacific Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.