Principal Engineering Technician

Twenty-Six Defense; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 Schedule (most locations)

401(k) program

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life Insurance

Paid PTO

Parental Leave

Employee Referral Program

Voluntary benefits

Tricare Supplement for retirees

Job summary

Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, seeks a Principal Engineering Technician to partner with Electrical Engineers and drive hands-on engineering lab work. Candidate should possess advanced soldering, board-level troubleshooting, and expertise in harness design, with responsibility for lab equipment and safety compliance.

The role supports prototype builds, system integration, hardware validation, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and test teams,

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Engineering Technology or related field or comparable work experience.
• 9+ years of related work experience in electronics/defense tech environments.
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Proficiency with lab documentation and computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced soldering and rework on small electronic components and SMT devices.
• Conduct board-level troubleshooting on CCAs and electronic assemblies.
• Design, assemble, and document wire harnesses and custom cable assemblies.
• Support prototype builds, tests, and hardware validation.
• Operate and maintain lab equipment (oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, etc.).
• Manage inventory, calibration scheduling, and lab safety compliance.
• Provide guidance and training to junior technicians and promote best practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

Laboratory safety

Documentation

Root cause analysis

Education

Associates degree in Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

Oscilloscope

VNA

Spectrum Analyzer

Programmable Power Supply

Job description

Company Information

Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense is dedicated to supporting those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Company Information

Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense is dedicated to supporting those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Overview

The Principal Engineering Technician is the highest-level technician role in our organization and serves as a key technical partner to Electrical Engineers and other engineering disciplines. This role requires advanced hands‑on expertise in one or more of the areas of electronic assemblies, cable/harness design, troubleshooting, and effective management of engineering lab equipment. The Principal Engineering Technician independently executes complex technical tasks, guides junior technicians, and ensures that the engineering lab operates efficiently, safely, and with high technical rigor.

Responsibilities And Tasks

• Perform advanced soldering and rework on small electronic components, including fine‑pitch ICs, micro‑components, and SMT devices.
• Conduct board‑level troubleshooting on complex CCAs, identifying component‑level issues and supporting corrective actions.
• Design, assemble, and document wire harnesses and custom cable assemblies per engineering and program requirements.
• Support prototype builds, system integration efforts, engineering tests, and hardware validation.
• Use professional electrical engineering lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, programmable power supplies, and other diagnostic tools.
• Manage engineering lab equipment inventory, including tracking location, ownership, calibration status, and scheduling calibration/repair as needed.
• Ensure lab organization, safety compliance, and proper handling of sensitive electronic hardware.
• Assist electrical engineers with root‑cause analysis, data collection, test execution, and documentation.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to junior technicians and promote best practices across the technician group.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to support hardware development and program objectives.
• Must be able to comply with OSHA, EPA, Fire Regulations, Company Policies and Procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of performing process engineering tasks commensurate with experience.

Competencies & Technical Areas (Candidates may possess some, but not necessarily all)

• Precision soldering on small or delicate electronic components
• Component‑level troubleshooting on CCAs and electronic assemblies
• Wire harness and cable design or assembly experience
• Familiarity with electrical engineering lab instruments (oscilloscope, VNA, spectrum analyzer, etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and layouts

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional soldering certifications such as IPC‑A‑610, IPC‑J‑STD‑001, or equivalent
• Experience in MIL‑STDs, aerospace, defense, communications, or similar technical industries (if applicable)

Education, Experience, License, Or Certification

• Associates degree in Engineering Technology, equivalent degree, or related work experience; manufacturing engineering support
• 9+ years of related work experience
• Must be computer literate
• Position requires the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Here Are Some Of The Great Benefits We Offer

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

• For Virginia‑based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost‑of‑labor considerations.