Failure Analysis Technician

Actalent

California (MO)

On-site

USD 39,000 - 51,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Job summary

Actalent in Carlsbad, CA is seeking a Failure Analysis Technician to troubleshoot and repair customer-returned electronics at the PCB and component level. This role emphasizes root-cause analysis, precise rework, and validation of repairs to restore full functionality.

You will work with engineering teams, read schematics, use oscilloscopes and multimeters, and follow strict repair processes to ensure quality and traceability. First and second shifts are available in a production environment.

Qualifications

5+ years electronics troubleshooting at the PCB/component level.
5+ years SMT/electronics manufacturing experience.
Ability to read schematics, board layouts, and debug/manufacturing documentation.
Experience performing SMT rework to restore functionality.
Strong documentation of repair activities, test results, and corrective actions.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot and repair customer-returned electronic products at the PCB and component level.
Perform detailed component-level diagnostics to identify failure modes and root causes.
Execute rework activities, including removal and replacement of SMT components.
Conduct functional testing to verify repaired products meet specifications and performance requirements.
Validate corrective actions and document repair results, test outcomes, and findings.
Read and interpret schematics, board layouts, and manufacturing documentation.
Use diagnostic tools and test equipment to isolate faults and confirm operation after repair.
Communicate recurring issues, trends, and significant findings to engineering for improvements.
Follow established manufacturing and repair processes to maintain consistency and traceability.
Maintain a clean, organized work area and handle assemblies with proper practices.

Skills

PCB Troubleshooting

SMT Rework

Diagnostics

Schematic Reading

Documentation

Fine-pitch Soldering

Test Equipment

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-functional Communication

Tools

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Rework Equipment

Soldering Station

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Failure Analysis Technician

Job Description

The Failure Analysis Technician troubleshoots and repairs customer-returned electronic products at the PCB and component level within a manufacturing environment. This role focuses on identifying root causes of failures, performing precise rework, and validating repairs to restore full product functionality. The technician works closely with engineering teams to communicate findings, support continuous improvement, and ensure that repaired products meet all functional and quality specifications.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot and repair customer-returned electronic products at the PCB and component level.
Perform detailed component-level diagnostics to identify failure modes and determine root causes.
Execute rework activities, including removal and replacement of SMT components, to correct identified issues.
Conduct functional testing to verify that repaired products meet defined specifications and performance requirements.
Validate corrective actions and clearly document repair results, test outcomes, and findings.
Read and interpret schematics, board layouts, and manufacturing documentation to support accurate troubleshooting and repair.
Use diagnostic tools and test equipment to isolate faults and confirm proper operation after repair.
Communicate recurring issues, trends, and significant findings to the engineering team to support product and process improvements.
Follow established manufacturing and repair processes to maintain consistency, quality, and traceability.
Maintain a clean, organized work area and handle electronic assemblies and components in accordance with appropriate handling practices.

Essential Skills

5+ years of experience in electronics troubleshooting at the PCB and component level.
5+ years of experience working in SMT or electronics manufacturing environments.
Strong proficiency in PCB and component-level troubleshooting, including isolating and correcting complex faults.
Hands-on experience with electronics failure analysis beyond system-level testing.
Ability to read and interpret schematics, board layouts, and debug or manufacturing documentation.
Strong understanding of circuit analysis and basic electronics theory.
Proficiency using diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and related test equipment.
Demonstrated experience performing rework on SMT components to restore functionality.
Strong soldering skills, with the ability to work on fine-pitch components.
Clear written documentation skills to record repair activities, test results, and corrective actions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Fine-pitch SMD soldering experience, including work with complex components.
Experience repairing customer-returned products and handling RMA (Return Material Authorization) processes.
Exposure to manufacturing or production repair environments focused on high-quality, repeatable repairs.
Experience communicating technical findings to engineering or cross-functional teams.
Comfort working with structured repair workflows and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing and electronics repair environment that supports both first and second shifts. The first shift runs from 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the second shift runs from 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The technician works at electronics workstations equipped with diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment used for PCB and component-level analysis. The environment involves handling SMT components and customer-returned products, performing detailed rework, and conducting functional testing to verify product performance. Work is typically performed at a bench or lab station in a structured production setting, following established procedures and documentation standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Carlsbad, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.79 - $37.02/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.