Electrical Technician – ECU Testing

Aptino, Inc.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptino, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Electrical Technician to support bench-level testing and validation of infotainment and telematics ECUs in Irvine, CA or Palo Alto, CA (onsite). The role focuses on test execution, data recording, and issue reporting without design work.

The ideal candidate has practical electronics testing experience, PCB/PCBA familiarity, and strong attention to detail. Engineering degree is not required.

Qualifications

• Hands-on electronics testing experience and ability to follow defined procedures.
• Familiarity with PCBs/PCBAs and basic electrical concepts.
• Experience using lab equipment and measurement instruments.
• Ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics at a basic level.
• Good communication and teamwork with engineering groups.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate test benches and hardware validation rigs.
• Configure test equipment and devices under test per procedures.
• Connect PCBA/ECU correctly to test setups using basic wiring.
• Execute predefined test cases, record measurements, and report results.
• Perform functional ECU testing including infotainment and telematics tests.
• Use oscilloscopes and multimeters to investigate signals and issues.
• Identify unexpected results and assist with initial troubleshooting.
• Support ECU flashing, configuration, and basic diagnostics as needed.
• Maintain accurate logs, measurements, and validation reports.
• Assist with regression testing after hardware/firmware updates.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, QA, and validation teams.

Skills

Hands-on electronics testing

Procedure adherence

PCB/PCBA handling

Documentation & reporting

Basic troubleshooting

Education

High School diploma / technical diploma

Associate degree preferred

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Digital multimeters

ECU testing equipment

CAN/LIN testing tools

Job description

Job Title: Electrical Technician – ECU Testing

Location: Irvine, CA or Palo Alto, CA (Onsite)

Duration: 12 Months

Position Overview:

We are looking for a hands-on Electrical Technician to support bench-level testing and validation of infotainment and telematics electronic control units (ECUs). This role focuses on setting up test equipment, connecting and configuring devices under test (DUTs), executing predefined test procedures, recording results, and reporting failures to engineering teams.

The ideal candidate will have practical electronics testing experience, basic knowledge of electrical circuits, and the ability to work with PCBs and PCB assemblies (PCBAs). This is a technician-level position focused on test execution and troubleshooting rather than engineering design or test development. An engineering degree is not required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set up and operate electronic test benches, laboratory equipment, and hardware validation setups.
• Configure test equipment and devices under test according to established procedures.
• Connect PCBAs and ECUs correctly to test setups, including using basic jumper wires and electrical connections where required.
• Execute test cases and procedures defined by engineers, observe system behavior, record measurements, and capture test results.
• Perform functional testing of infotainment and telematics ECUs, including audio, connectivity, user interface, and telematics features.
• Use laboratory instruments such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and other diagnostic equipment to measure signals and investigate issues.
• Identify unexpected test results, perform initial troubleshooting, and report failures and defects to engineering teams.
• Support ECU flashing, configuration, and basic diagnostic activities as instructed.
• Maintain accurate test logs, measurement records, and validation reports.
• Assist with regression testing following hardware, firmware, or software updates.
• Work with hardware, software, quality assurance, and validation engineers to support issue investigation and resolution.
• Follow established test procedures, equipment handling guidelines, and quality requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma, technical diploma, associate degree, or equivalent practical experience in electronics or a related field. An engineering degree is not required.
• Hands-on experience with electronics testing, laboratory equipment, or hardware test benches.
• Ability to follow predefined test procedures, execute test cases, collect measurements, and document results accurately.
• Basic understanding of electrical circuits, electronic components, and PCBs/PCBAs.
• Experience setting up test equipment and connecting devices under test correctly.
• Familiarity with oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and other basic electronic measurement instruments.
• Ability to read and interpret basic wiring diagrams, schematics, and connection instructions.
• Basic troubleshooting skills to identify connection problems, abnormal readings, and unexpected test results.
• Familiarity with ECU testing, electronic modules, or automotive electronics is preferred.
• Good communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience testing automotive infotainment or telematics ECUs.
• Familiarity with automotive communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, and Ethernet.
• Basic knowledge of ECU flashing, diagnostics, and configuration tools.
• Experience with PCBA testing, board-level checks, and hardware validation.
• Exposure to CANoe, CANalyzer, or CAPL-based testing environments.
• Familiarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems or automated test benches.
• Exposure to audio/video testing, connectivity features, Bluetooth, or infotainment user interface validation.
• Basic programming or scripting knowledge, such as Python, is an advantage.
• Familiarity with automotive quality procedures and testing standards.

Location-Specific Preferences:

Irvine, CA: Candidates with experience setting up and testing electronic hardware, particularly analog circuits, power-related circuits, mixed-signal systems, and low-speed interfaces, are preferred.

Palo Alto, CA: Candidates with experience testing high-speed interfaces, telematics modules, and ECU communication in vehicle-connected environments are preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is a practical, detail-oriented electronics technician who can independently set up a test bench, connect a PCBA or ECU correctly, configure the required equipment, execute engineer-defined test cases, and produce accurate test reports. The candidate should be comfortable performing basic troubleshooting and escalating technical issues to engineering teams.