Lead Technician, Prototyping Test

Eaton Corporation; Coraopolis (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton Corporation is seeking a Lead Technician, Prototyping Test for onsite work in Moon Township, PA. You will lead fabrication, assembly, wiring, and testing of engineering prototypes and production-intent samples, translating requirements into repeatable test setups and documenting results.

You will collaborate with electrical, electronics, mechanical, firmware, and manufacturing engineers to accelerate prototype learning and deliver technically sound data supporting product development and

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical, Electronics, Electromechanical, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Systems, or closely related field.
• Minimum four years in an engineering lab or equivalent environment.
• Minimum three years building, wiring, testing prototypes and fixtures.
• Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and BOMs.
• Experience with electrical diagnostic instruments and soldering/rework equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and independently execute fabrication, assembly, instrumentation, and testing of prototypes and samples.
• Develop and improve safe, repeatable test methods and data acquisition approaches.
• Prepare detailed test plans, setup diagrams, and technical reports.
• Coordinate prototype parts, outside fabrication, and third-party lab activities.
• Mentor technicians and interns in safe work practices and testing procedures.

Skills

Electrical testing

Prototype testing

Schematic reading

Troubleshooting

Test fixture modification

Data analysis

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

CAD drawing review

Education

Associate degree in Electrical/Electronics/Mechatronics

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

CAD

Test equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters)

Job description

Eaton’s ES AMER ARS division is currently seeking a Lead Technician, Prototyping Test. This position is ONSITE Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at our Moon Twp PA Eaton facility.

Lead and independently execute the fabrication, assembly, instrumentation, troubleshooting, and electrical, electronic, and mechanical testing of engineering prototypes and production-intent samples for ARS. Translate engineering requirements, drawings, schematics, and agency or internal standards into safe, repeatable test setups and documented results. Partner with electrical, electronics, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and compliance engineers to accelerate prototype learning, identify failure mechanisms, implement test-fixture and sample modifications, and deliver technically sound data and recommendations that support new product development, certification, reliability, and product-line support.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $69000 - $101000 a year.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What you’ll do:

In this role:

• Conduct and independently own assigned electrical, electronic, electromechanical, environmental, reliability, and functional test programs from setup through final report, coordinating technical details and acceptance criteria with the responsible engineer.
• Fabricate, assemble, wire, solder, modify, and rework engineering prototypes, printed circuit board assemblies, cable harnesses, enclosures, mechanisms, fixtures, and test apparatus using drawings, schematics, bills of material, and engineering direction.
• Develop and improve safe, repeatable test methods, fixtures, instrumentation layouts, and data‑acquisition approaches; document operating limits, hazards, controls, and setup configurations before test execution.
• Operate and care for laboratory instruments and shop equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, dielectric equipment, data‑acquisition systems, torque tools, soldering/rework equipment, drill presses, saws, mills, lathes, 3D printers, and other tools for which trained and authorized.
• Analyze test data and observations; identify abnormal behavior, likely failure modes, wiring or instrumentation errors, and equipment limitations; troubleshoot methodically and recommend next‑step experiments or prototype changes.
• Prepare detailed test plans, setup diagrams, photographs, data files, deviation records, and technical reports that document equipment, calibration status, sample configuration, procedures, results, conclusions, and open issues.
• Perform teardown, inspection, dimensional checks, component replacement, root‑cause support, and controlled sample modifications while preserving configuration control, traceability, and technical evidence.
• Support testing to applicable UL, CSA, IEC, NEMA, and internal Eaton requirements under engineer or laboratory authority; maintain required competency, calibration, recordkeeping, and accreditation practices.
• Coordinate prototype parts, outside fabrication, equipment service, third‑party laboratory activities, and sample logistics; communicate schedule, risks, and turnaround status to requestors.
• Maintain an organized, audit‑ready laboratory and prototype area through 5S, preventive maintenance, calibration coordination, inventory control, and escalation of unsafe or out‑of‑tolerance conditions.
• Mentor less‑experienced technicians and interns in safe work practices, fixture use, test execution, documentation, fabrication methods, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams during prototype builds, pilot activities, design reviews, failure reviews, and product changes to improve testability, manufacturability, reliability, and speed of learning.

Basic REQUIRED Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Electrical, Electronics, Electromechanical, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Systems, or a closely related technical field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum four (4) years of hands‑on experience in an engineering laboratory, prototype/model shop, product‑development laboratory, electrical manufacturing, or comparable industrial test environment.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience building, wiring, instrumenting, troubleshooting, and testing electrical or electromechanical prototypes and test fixtures.
• Demonstrated ability to read electrical/electronic schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, engineering specifications, bills of material, and test procedures.
• Experience safely using electrical/electronic diagnostic instruments, hand and power tools, soldering/rework equipment, and mechanical fabrication equipment appropriate to prototype work.
• No relocation benefit is offered for this position. Only candidates within a 50-mile radius of Pittsburgh PA (Moon Twp) will be considered. Active‑Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment, immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution
• 5‑7 years of hands‑on experience in an engineering laboratory, prototype/model shop, product‑development laboratory, electrical manufacturing, or comparable industrial test environment.
• Five (5) or more years supporting new product development, certification, reliability, or validation testing for electrical distribution, circuit protection, wiring devices, controls, or connected products.
• Experience with printed circuit board assembly rework, fine‑pitch soldering, cable and harness fabrication, sensor installation, analog/digital electronics, and embedded‑product troubleshooting.
• Experience with machining, sheet‑metal or plastic prototype fabrication, additive manufacturing, fixture design, CAD drawing review, and dimensional inspection.
• Experience with automated instrumentation, data acquisition, LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent test‑control and analysis tools.
• Working knowledge of UL/CSA/IEC test practices, laboratory quality systems, measurement uncertainty, calibration, and traceable technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications for test plans, data analysis, reports, presentations, and collaboration.

Skills:

• Applies strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, critical thinking, and disciplined problem‑solving with limited day‑to‑day supervision.
• Plans work, identifies hazards, verifies equipment ratings, and stops or escalates work when requirements or controls are unclear.
• Communicates technical information clearly, including setup limitations, anomalous results, conclusions, and recommended next steps.
• Collaborates across electrical, electronics, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, sourcing, compliance, and external‑laboratory teams.
• Manages multiple prototype and test priorities while maintaining configuration control, traceability, quality, and schedule transparency.
• Demonstrates craftsmanship, attention to detail, curiosity, initiative, and willingness to mentor others.

Additional Information:

• Works hands‑on with energized or potentially hazardous electrical systems only within training, authorization, approved procedures, risk controls, and applicable Eaton electrical safe work requirements.
• Uses hand tools, torque tools, soldering equipment, power tools, bench equipment, and trained prototype‑shop machinery to build and modify samples and fixtures.
• May stand for four to six hours during testing, perform repetitive hand motions, repeatedly lift approximately 2–15 lb., and occasionally handle samples or boxes up to 30 lb.
• Wears required personal protective equipment and may work around elevated temperature, noise, moving equipment, electrical energy, environmental chambers, and controlled test‑failure conditions.
• Exercises judgment to pause testing, quarantine samples, correct setup deficiencies, or elevate unexpected hazards and technical anomalies before continuing.
• Travels occasionally to other Eaton facilities, suppliers, customer sites, and external laboratories, including international locations when required.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To request a disability‑related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1‑800‑836‑6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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