Electronics Technician

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 38,572 - 44,083; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Caltech Space Radiation Laboratory (SRL) in Pasadena, CA, seeks a highly motivated Electronics Technician to support the engineering team in the fabrication, assembly, and testing of electronic hardware for the NASA UVEX mission. This is a hands-on position focusing on PCB assembly, test setup, and operation of prototype and flight electronics.

SRL provides a dynamic, inclusive work environment that emphasizes teamwork and scientific discovery.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience in electronic assembly, soldering, inspection, cleaning, and repair.
• Soldering Proficiency: ability to solder fine-pitch surface-mount components, PCB rework, and wire harnesses.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: use electronic test equipment to verify assemblies.
• Quality Assurance: inspect solder joints and assemblies, follow procedures, document results.
• Laboratory Environment: work in a cleanroom with ESD and contamination control.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and rework prototype, engineering, and flight PCBs and wire harnesses.
• Build and test electronic assemblies, including chassis, boards, and cables.
• Procure supplies and maintain parts inventory.
• Coordinate with internal shops, vendors, and fabrication facilities.
• Develop test procedures and execute related testing and measurements.
• Document system designs, travelers, test procedures, measurements, and results.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and work with minimal supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Soldering

Testing

Documentation

Quality Assurance

ESD awareness

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Power supplies

Job description

Overview

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Caltech Space Radiation Laboratory (SRL) in Pasadena, CA, seeks a highly motivated and skilled Electronics Technician to support the engineering team in the fabrication, assembly, and testing of electronic hardware for the NASA Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) mission. This is a hands-on position that focuses on printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, test setup, and operation of prototype and flight electronics. SRL provides a dynamic and inclusive work environment that emphasizes teamwork in pursuit of scientific discovery. SRL, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu), partners with NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL, operated for NASA by Caltech), and the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at UC-Berkeley on UVEX.

Essential Job Duties

• Assemble and rework prototype, engineering, and flight custom printed circuit boards (PCBs) and wire harnesses.
• Build and test electronic assemblies, including chassis, circuit boards, and cables.
• Procure supplies and materials. Maintain parts inventory.
• Coordinate with internal shops, external vendors, and fabrication facilities.
• Assist in developing test procedures and execute associated testing and measurement activities.
• Document system designs, board travelers, test procedures, measurements, and results.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-disciplinary teams while working independently with minimal supervision when appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience in electronic assembly, soldering, inspection, cleaning, and repair.
• Soldering Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to solder fine-pitch surface-mount components, perform PCB rework, and assemble wire harnesses.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: Experience using electronic test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power supplies, to troubleshoot and verify electronic assemblies.
• Quality Assurance: Ability to inspect solder joints and electronic assemblies using magnification tools and microscopes, perform required touch-ups or rework, and follow cable safe-to-mate procedures.
• Documentation & Assembly: Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly drawings; follow written procedures; and accurately document work performed and test results.
• Laboratory Environment: Ability to work in a cleanroom environment while following ESD and contamination control protocols, gowning procedures, and handling requirements for sensitive flight hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: An Associate's degree or technical certification in Electronics Technology.
• Experience: At least 5 years of hands‑on experience in electronic assembly, soldering, inspection, cleaning, and repair.
• Certifications: Previous or current Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) certification. Previous or current IPC J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610 certification. Familiarity with spaceflight workmanship standards, including J-STD-001ES and NASA-STD-8739, is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with basic software tools: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Required Documents

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.

Hiring Range

$27.75 - $32.00 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non‑benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail].