Aviation Electronics Systems Technologist

Sterling St James LLC; Brownsville (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Wisconsin is seeking an Electrical Systems Technologist to join a veteran-owned aerospace electronics team. The role focuses on high-reliability PCB assembly, precision soldering, and diagnosing complex hardware within production and prototype builds.

The position requires hands-on bench expertise, schematic literacy, and willingness to travel for field testing and installations. It offers a direct-hire path in a growing defense contractor environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on electronic bench experience required.
• Associate’s Degree in Electronics Technology preferred; 10+ years direct trades experience fully considered in lieu of degree.
• Proficiency in PCB assembly, precision soldering, and IPC quality standards.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot directly from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
• Travel up to 20 days per year for field testing, aerospace validation, or client installations.
• US work authorization required; permanent residence within a dependable daily commuting radius of the Greater Milwaukee / Northeast WI corridor.

Responsibilities

• Execute high-reliability precision soldering and assembly of multi-layer PCBs to IPC quality benchmarks for prototypes and production runs.
• Diagnose, trace, and resolve complex hardware deviations within electrical assemblies and wire harnesses.
• Collaborate with hardware design engineers to support board layouts, prototype builds, bench testing, and production startups.
• Assist with project coordination tasks, including BOM development, component sourcing, and electrical equipment specification.
• Prepare technical documentation, design tracking drawings, and component calculations.
• Support QA activities and test logging in alignment with aerospace requirements (AS9100D).

Skills

Bench soldering

PCB assembly

Schematic literacy

Troubleshooting

Wiring diagrams

IPC standards

Education

Associate’s Degree in Electronics Technology

Tools

SolidWorks

P-Spice

Job description

Electrical Systems Technologist – Defense & Aviation Electronics

Up to $70,000 Base Salary • Greater Milwaukee / Northeast WI Corridor • 100% Onsite • Full Benefits

• EXPERIENCE: Hands-on electronic bench experience required; Associate’s Degree in Electronics Technology preferred (10+ years direct trades experience fully considered in lieu of degree)
• BENCH MASTERY: Verifiable proficiency in PCB assembly, precision soldering, and IPC quality standards
• TECHNICAL SKILLS: Ability to read and troubleshoot directly from electrical schematics, engineering wire diagrams, and technical drawings
• TRAVEL & SCHEDULE: Up to 20 days per year of domestic travel for field testing, aerospace validation, or client installations
• REQUIREMENTS: US work authorization required; permanent residence within a dependable daily commuting radius of the plant

If you are a skilled electronics technician or technologist looking to step away from repetitive assembly line work, this direct-hire seat provides an exceptional professional upgrade. The employer is a highly respected, veteran-owned aerospace and defense electronics manufacturer with a decade of consistent, high-velocity growth. Producing specialized, ruggedized electronic systems for elite military and aviation applications, they offer a non-bureaucratic, mission-first environment where your technical craftsmanship directly impacts every build.

Operating as part of a lean, agile engineering team, this role serves as the primary technical bridge between initial component design and physical production layout. Instead of handling a single repetitive task, you will touch every phase of the build cycle—from initial prototype creation to advanced engineering troubleshooting. Backed by an exceptionally stable defense backlog and a full corporate benefits package (including 401k), this role provides a clear, long-term path to advance into broader engineering responsibilities over time.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Execute high-reliability precision soldering and assembly of multi-layer PCBs to strict IPC quality benchmarks for both custom prototypes and production runs.
• Diagnose, trace, and resolve complex hardware deviations within electrical assemblies, active circuit components, and specialized wire harnesses.
• Partner directly with hardware design engineers to support board layouts, coordinate prototype builds, conduct bench testing, and streamline production startups.
• Assist with project coordination tasks, including active Bill of Materials (BOM) development, technical component sourcing, and electrical equipment specification.
• Prepare clean technical documentation, design tracking drawings, and foundational component calculations.
• Support facility-wide quality assurance activities and test logging in strict alignment with AS9100D aerospace requirements.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Rock-solid, verifiable background operating as a dedicated electronics technologist where hands-on bench assembly and soldering are primary strengths.
• Confident, independent schematic literacy with the ability to navigate multi-page wiring diagrams and trace logic faults across complex circuit architectures.
• Diagnostic problem-solving mindset capable of isolating circuit performance errors or assembly structural defects without heavy oversight.
• Self-starter mentality comfortable managing shop priorities and executing technical tasks under minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Strong pluses: Direct experience with LED lighting or photometric measurement, NVIS/military-spec systems, exposure to SolidWorks/P-Spice, or a military background within a defense facility.
• Proximity to the plant, with established permanent residence within a dependable daily driving radius of the Greater Milwaukee / Northeast WI corridor.