Electronics Engineering Technician

Socket.dev; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision plans

401(k) with company match

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

Holiday calendar with paid time off in

Job summary

Firestorm Labs seeks a hands-on Electronics Engineering Technician to build, test, and troubleshoot advanced electronic systems for autonomous defense platforms. You’ll work closely with engineers and manufacturing teams to move products from prototype to production, handling validation tests and documentation in a fast-paced lab environment.

With 5+ years in electronics manufacturing or related fields, you’ll apply precise soldering, debugging, and IPC‑aligned processes while maintaining an

Qualifications

• Hands-on electronics manufacturing, testing, or R&D experience.
• Ability to read schematics, layout files, BOMs and drawings.
• Experience with IPC standards and safety in lab/manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Build, rework, and test complex electronic assemblies including PCBAs, wire harnesses, and control units in support of production and engineering.
• Perform visual and functional inspections, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of electronics components.
• Support first-article builds and document new procedures and test results.
• Assist in design, fabrication, and documentation of test fixtures and harnesses.
• Conduct functional and environmental tests using scopes, meters, and DAQs.
• Maintain clean, organized, ESD‑compliant lab and track calibration of equipment.

Skills

Soldering (TH & SMT)

Schematic interpretation

Electrical test equipment

IPC standards knowledge

ESD safety practices

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates or Bachelor's in engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

Power supplies

DAQs

Soldering tools

Job description

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission‑adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world‑class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting‑edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.

About the Role

Firestorm Labs is on a mission to redefine how autonomous systems are built, deployed, and scaled faster, smarter, and at the edge of possibility. As a Electronics Engineering Technician, you won’t just be building boards and testing circuits, you’ll be enabling the rapid development of the world’s next‑generation autonomous defense platforms. In this hands‑on, high‑impact role, you’ll partner closely with engineers, fabricators, and manufacturing teams to bring advanced electronics systems from prototype to production. Whether it's assembling a critical control module, debugging a flight system or optimizing our build processes, your contributions will directly shape the performance and reliability of mission‑critical technologies. This is a role for a doer; someone who thrives on the manufacturing floor and in the lab, solves problems under pressure, and takes pride in precision. If you have previous experience as a hands‑on technician with strong experience in electronics assembly, test and diagnostics, thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑mix environment and enjoys collaborating across disciplines to bring cutting‑edge products to life. Then we want you on the Firestorm team.

What You’ll Do

• Build, rework, and test complex electronic assemblies including PCBAs, wire harnesses, and control units in support of production and engineering.
• Perform visual and functional inspections, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of electronics components and systems down to the component level.
• Support first‑article builds and document new procedures and build/test results for transitioning products from prototype to production.
• Assist in the design, fabrication, and documentation of test harnesses, jigs, fixtures, and automated test systems.
• Conduct functional and environmental tests using oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, DAQs, and other instrumentation.
• Supports maintenance, repairs and installation ofvarious types of electronic equipment and related devices such as electronic transmitting and receiving equipment, micro and mainframe computers and industrial measuring, controlling and calibration devices.
• Execute incoming inspection and quality control checks; identify and resolve non‑conformance issues.
• Support production and engineering teams with technical feedback, design changes, and failure analysis.
• Manage and track calibration, preventative maintenance, and repair of test equipment and lab instrumentation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and ESD‑compliant electronics lab and work environment.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of all work performed
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI) efforts for performance, yield, and manufacturability.
• Demonstrate an understanding of engineering terminology and be able to work well in a technically diverse team environment.
• Perform a variety of non‑routine tasks and demonstrate considerable knowledge of avionics and electronic procedures and principles
• Comfortable working with hazardous materials under safety‑controlled conditions.
• Perform other job duties as needed

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, test, or R&D environments.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
• Experience with hand soldering (TH and SMT), PCB rework, and wire harness fabrication.
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, layout files, BOMs, technical orders and/or mechanical drawings.
• Experience using electronic test equipment, hand & soldering tools, voltage and/or amperage measuring and recording devices
• Experience troubleshooting with oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, function generators, and/or related test equipment.
• Experience with IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620 and/or J-STD-001).
• Experience with electrical safety, ESD best practices, and proper use of PPE in a lab/manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
• Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry
• IPC/J‑STD certifications (IPC‑7711/7721, A‑610, A‑620)
• Experience in prototype development, low‑rate initial production (LRIP), and transitioning designs to high‑volume builds
• Familiarity with test automation, data acquisition, and sensor instrumentation.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC, high‑voltage, or high‑power testing environments.
• Experience with ERP systems and test documentation software (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, MES).
• Experience supporting design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) or design‑for‑test (DFT) initiatives.
• Experience with Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methodologies-Lean, Six Sigma, ACE, CORE or equivalent

Work Environment

• Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
• This role requires a daily on‑site presence.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.unassisted and wear appropriate PPE [as required].
• Extended periods of standing, bench work or seated computer use, is a physical requirement for this role.
• PPE is provided; adherence to ESD protection, all safety protocols and environmental controls, is mandatory.
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) may be required

Compensation

US Hourly Range: $28 - $44 USD The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insuranceBasic Life/AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm.Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work‑life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail] so we can provide the support you need.