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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Engineer Technician

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

EngineeringTechnicianManufacturingResearch & DevelopmentHardware

🎯 Role Definition

As an Engineer Technician, you are the crucial hands-on link between theoretical design and real-world application. You will work side-by-side with our engineering team to build, test, and refine the next generation of our products. This role requires a natural problem-solver with a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for technology. You will be responsible for bringing complex engineering concepts to life, running critical validation tests, diagnosing issues, and providing the essential feedback that drives innovation and product excellence. You are not just supporting engineering; you are an active partner in the entire development lifecycle.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Associate's Degree in a technical discipline (e.g., EET, MET)
  • Military technical training (e.g., Avionics, Electronics Technician)
  • Experienced Manufacturing Assembler or Quality Inspector with advanced skills

Advancement To:

  • Senior Engineer Technician or Lead Technician
  • Test Engineer or Validation Engineer
  • Manufacturing or Process Engineer
  • Field Service Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer
  • CAD Designer / Drafter

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assemble, test, and troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical prototypes, systems, and first-article builds based on engineering drawings, schematics, and verbal instructions.
  • Execute detailed test plans and validation procedures on new products and components to ensure they meet performance, quality, and reliability specifications.
  • Set up, configure, and expertly operate a wide range of test equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.
  • Perform systematic troubleshooting and root cause analysis on prototypes, test fixtures, and manufacturing equipment, diagnosing failures down to the component level.
  • Meticulously collect, organize, and analyze test data, preparing comprehensive technical reports, summaries, and presentations for engineering review.
  • Conduct high-precision soldering, desoldering, and rework of fine-pitch surface-mount (SMT) and through-hole components on printed circuit board assemblies (PCBs).
  • Design, build, and maintain custom test harnesses, cabling, and mechanical fixtures required for R&D, validation, and production testing.
  • Provide direct, actionable feedback to design engineers on Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Testability (DFT).
  • Manage and maintain the engineering lab environment, including the calibration schedule for all test equipment, inventory of components, and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Perform a variety of environmental and reliability tests, such as thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, and HALT/HASS testing, and document the outcomes.
  • Fabricate and modify simple mechanical components, brackets, and enclosures using basic machine shop tools like drill presses, grinders, and saws.
  • Install, configure, and debug firmware and software on embedded systems as a fundamental part of the system bring-up and testing process.
  • Author, refine, and maintain clear technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and test procedures.
  • Actively participate in design reviews, offering practical, hands-on insights to improve product robustness and functionality.
  • Support the seamless transition of new products from the development phase into full-scale manufacturing, assisting with line setup and process validation.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to investigate anomalies or potential improvements.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by ensuring data integrity and proper collection methods.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for test setups.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team, providing updates on testing progress and blockers.
  • Assist in evaluating and recommending new lab equipment, tools, and software to enhance testing capabilities and efficiency.
  • Provide hands-on training and mentorship to junior technicians, interns, and manufacturing personnel on new products and procedures.
  • Uphold and champion 5S and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards within the lab and testing areas.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Schematic & Blueprint Reading: Deep proficiency in interpreting complex electronic schematics, mechanical drawings, and assembly diagrams.
  • Soldering & Rework: Advanced skills in SMT and through-hole soldering, including fine-pitch components, using professional-grade equipment.
  • Test Equipment Proficiency: Hands-on mastery of standard electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), power supplies, and function generators.
  • Troubleshooting Methodology: A systematic and logical approach to diagnosing and resolving issues in electronic and mechanical systems.
  • Data Acquisition (DAQ): Experience setting up and using DAQ hardware and software (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python-based tools) to capture and log data.
  • Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to assemble and disassemble complex mechanical systems using a variety of hand and power tools.
  • CAD Software: Familiarity with viewing and navigating 2D/3D CAD models and PCB layouts (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Altium Designer, KiCad).

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A keen eye for precision and accuracy, ensuring no detail is overlooked in assembly, testing, or documentation.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: The ability to break down complex problems into manageable parts and identify the root cause of an issue.
  • Technical Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly document test results and collaborate effectively with engineers.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A proactive and supportive team player who works well in a cross-functional environment.
  • Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
  • Adaptability: The flexibility to pivot between different projects and respond effectively to changing priorities and new challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in a relevant technical field or equivalent demonstrated experience from military training or on-the-job expertise.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering Technology (e.g., EET, MET) or a related engineering discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Mechatronics or Robotics
  • Automotive Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in an engineering technician, test technician, or R&D lab role.

Preferred: Experience in a regulated industry such as medical devices, aerospace, or automotive is highly desirable. A portfolio of past projects or specific examples of complex troubleshooting successes will be a significant plus.

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