Senior PCB Test Engineer

MKS Instruments; Broomfield (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) company match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

12 paid holidays

Sick time

15 paid vacation days

6 weeks parental leave

Adoption assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Stock programs

Signing bonus

Job summary

MKS Instruments in the United States is seeking a Senior PCBA Test Engineer to partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, and contract manufacturers to design, deploy, and support automated PCB assembly test systems for high-volume production. You will develop test software with NI LabVIEW and TestStand, create robust hardware fixtures, and ensure quality, delivery, and customer requirements.

Reporting to the Manager, Test Engineering, this role blends development work with frontline technical

Qualifications

• Requires a B.S. in Electrical Engineering; M.S. preferred.
• 8+ years in PCBA functional test development in high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience with NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand; CLD preferred.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and create wiring diagrams; PADS/Visio experience.
• Expertise in AOI, X-Ray, ICT, Functional Test, and statistical quality methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing, and documenting automated PCBA test systems for deployment at global contract manufacturing sites
• Developing and supporting automated test applications using NI LabVIEW and TestStand, including GUI and test reports
• Collaborating with PCBA contract manufacturers to implement AOI, ICT, and FCT to improve yield
• Performing verification and validation of duplicate automated test systems before release to contract manufacturers
• Troubleshooting UUT failures, test system anomalies, and driving continuous improvement
• Analyzing test data using SPC tools to improve yield and product quality
• Providing frontline technical support and remote assistance across multiple time zones

Skills

Strong project planning

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Technical troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

NI LabVIEW

NI TestStand

PADS

Visio

AOI

X-Ray

Flying Probe

ICT

Boundary Scan

Functional Test

Minitab

Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a Senior PCBA Test Engineer at MKS, you will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Contract Manufacturing partners, and internal stakeholders to design, develop, deploy, and support automated PCB assembly (PCBA) test systems used in high‑volume production environments. In this role, you will serve as both a development engineer and frontline technical expert, ensuring robust, repeatable test solutions that meet product quality, delivery, and customer requirements. You will report to the Manager, Test Engineering.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Designing, developing, and documenting automated PCBA test systems, including hardware, software, and mechanical fixtures, for deployment at global contract manufacturing sites
• Developing and supporting automated test applications using NI LabVIEW and TestStand, including user‑friendly GUIs and test report generation
• Working with PCBA contract manufacturers to implement AOI, ICT, and FCT to improve production yield and reduce PCBA rejection and scrap rates
• Performing verification and validation of duplicate automated test systems prior to release to contract manufacturers
• Troubleshooting Unit Under Test (UUT) failures, test system anomalies, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Analyzing test data using statistical process control (SPC) tools to improve yield and product quality
• Providing frontline technical support and remote assistance, including use of virtual/augmented reality tools, to support technician training and issue resolution across multiple time zones

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is required; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is preferred
• 8+ years of experience developing PCBA functional test programs (hardware and software), ideally in a high‑volume manufacturing environment
• Experience with NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand; CLD (Certified LabVIEW Developer) preferred
• Ability to read electrical schematics and create wiring diagrams; experience using tools such as PADS and Visio
• Expertise in PCBA quality screening, test coverage analysis, and manufacturing defect detection utilizing AOI, X-Ray, Flying Probe, ICT, Boundary Scan, Functional Test, and statistical quality methodologies
• Hands‑on experience with laboratory test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, waveform generators, and DAQ devices
• Experience writing and reviewing test specifications and procedures
• Strong project planning skills with the ability to manage multiple efforts simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment

Preferred Skills (Optional):

• Familiarity with low‑noise analog and high‑speed digital PCB designs
• Exposure to DFT (Design for Test) and DFM (Design for Manufacturing) principles
• Experience analyzing test data using statistical tools such as Minitab
• Vendor management or external design partner coordination experience

Supervisory Scope (Optional):

• Reporting Relationships: Individual contributor role
• Financial Responsibilities: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments
• Occasional lifting of test fixtures and equipmentUse of standard laboratory tools and computer‑based development environments
• Ability to support off‑hour troubleshooting calls as needed to support global manufacturing operations

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range: $90,000.00 - $147,000.00 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

We are interested in a qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we will not be sponsoring work visas for this position, at this time.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [e-mail] .

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