Test and Validation Technician

Paycom; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Kett Engineering in Palo Alto, CA seeks a Test and Validation Technician to support EV hardware testing, ADAS, and ECUs in a fast-paced R&D environment.

You will design test plans, build automated test equipment, read schematics, solder components, and troubleshoot issues to ensure reliability of automotive electronics.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or equivalent experience in electronics testing.
• Able to read electrical schematics, drawings and data sheets.
• 7+ years building automated test equipment or automation systems.
• Experience with soldering and circuit-board rework.
• Experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters.

Responsibilities

• Build automated test equipment and harnesses for EV boards.
• Operate software interfaces to exercise test equipment.
• Validate systems using lab instruments like scopes and analyzers.
• Fabricate test equipment for development and validation testing.
• Own calibration and setup of thermal and vibration chambers.
• Troubleshoot and document test equipment failures.
• Perform circuit board modifications such as soldering.
• Support commissioning of new systems.

Skills

Hands‑on

Electrical testing

Schematics reading

MS Office

Electrical safety

Reading data sheets

Education

Technical degree or equivalent

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Power analyzers

Power supplies

Multimeters

Rework soldering tools

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Palo Alto, CA - Palo Alto, CA, Salary Range: $46.00 - $50.00Hourly, About Kett Engineering

About Kett Engineering

Kett Engineering is a leader in automotive testing, validation, and engineering support services. For over 70 years, Kett has partnered with some of the world's most innovative automotive manufacturers, providing skilled technical professionals who help bring cutting-edge vehicle technologies to the market.

We are currently seeking a Test and Validation Technician to support a leading electric vehicle manufacturer in Palo Alto, CA. This role is ideal for a highly skilled hands‑on technician with experience in electrical testing, diagnostics, prototype development, and engineering validation activities within a fast-paced R&D environment.

In this role, you’ll be part of the team responsible for reliability and manufacturing testing of EV vehicle’s electrical hardware including Level 3+ ADAS, telematics and infotainment Electronic Control Units (ECUs). Our team builds custom automated test solutions that include internal‑facing software, low‑level firmware, data management platforms, and custom electromechanical hardware. These solutions get deployed internally within organization and at external labs and contract manufacturing facilities.

You’ll be a key technical part of the team and will work with the engineering leads to design test plans and systems, build first articles, redline schematics, troubleshoot issues, and support testing.

Responsibilities

• Work with the test and validation team to build automated test equipment and harnesses for EV vehicle electronic boards, based on schematics and work instructions.
• Operate software user interfaces to exercise test equipment during hardware bring up.
• Validate systems functionality by using standard lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, power analyzers, power supplies and digital multimeters.
• Fabricate special test equipment supporting development and validation testing of automotive electronic components.
• Own calibration and mechanical setup of thermal and vibration chambers.
• Troubleshoot, root cause, and document test equipment and harness failures.
• Perform circuit board electronic modifications such as component rework, soldering/de‑soldering of electronic components, etc.
• Support commissioning of new systems.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or relevant experience in electronics testing.
• Able to read electrical schematics, drawings, and manufacturers’ product data sheets.
• 7+ years of experience building automated test equipment (ATE) or industrial automation systems.
• Experience using power tools.
• Experience with soldering and circuit board re‑work.
• Experience with electrical testing using laboratory tools.
• Ability to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Able to move/lift test boxes and instrumentation.
• Hands‑on approach: proactively identifies and fills in gaps where needed.

Nice To Have

• Experience with automotive instrumentation.