Engineering Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Engineering Technician

Job Description

Join a venture-backed medical device startup that is developing a next-generation implantable neuromodulation system. As a hands-on Engineering Technician, you will focus on reworking, bringing up, testing, and troubleshooting highly miniaturized PCBAs while collaborating closely with a small, senior engineering team in an R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision hand soldering and rework under a microscope on very small, delicate PCBAs, including ultra-small passive components such as 0201-size parts and fine-pitch integrated circuits.
• Remove and replace components, repair open or defective solder joints, and modify prototype boards according to engineering instructions.
• Support prototype and engineering builds of electronic and electromechanical assemblies, working with boards assembled by a contract manufacturer and reworked in-house.
• Follow and maintain proper ESD handling and control procedures during all assembly and rework activities.
• Run board bring-up procedures in collaboration with engineers and independently, including powering up new boards, checking functionality, and taking and recording electrical measurements.
• Load firmware and program boards using standard programming hardware and PC-based software tools, ensuring accurate configuration and documentation.
• Perform functional and parametric testing on PCBAs and assemblies and support design verification testing as the program progresses.
• Diagnose failures down to the board and component level using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, schematics, and datasheets.
• Present clear findings and proposed next steps to engineers, taking initiative rather than waiting for step-by-step direction.
• Maintain accurate records of rework, tests, and failure analysis, and communicate results clearly to the engineering team.
• Support prototype and NPI builds by following test procedures, blueprints, wiring diagrams, and laboratory best practices.
• Contribute to failure analysis activities using test equipment and established test procedures to improve product reliability.

Essential Skills

• Expert-level precision hand soldering and rework under a microscope on miniature components, including 0201-size passive components and fine-pitch ICs.
• Demonstrated ability in component-level troubleshooting using an oscilloscope, digital multimeter (DMM), bench power supplies, and other test equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, datasheets, blueprints, wiring diagrams, and test procedures for electronic assemblies.
• Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience in electronics assembly, rework, testing, or troubleshooting, particularly with PCBAs.
• Experience performing failure analysis using test equipment in an electronics or R&D environment.
• Strong soldering skills aligned with industry standards such as IPC J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610.
• Comfort working with computers, including installing and running software tools, and proficiency with Microsoft software.
• Strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and comfort working closely with engineers in a fast-moving startup environment.
• Ability to work under a microscope and handle delicate prototype hardware with excellent attention to detail.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in medical device environments, especially implantable or regulated settings such as ISO-regulated facilities.
• IPC J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610 certification demonstrating high-quality soldering and assembly practices.
• Familiarity with Altium design files and the ability to work from PCB layout and related documentation.
• Experience supporting prototype and NPI builds, including working through early prototyping phases.
• Background in design verification testing for electronic or electromechanical systems.
• Exposure to laboratory environments and R&D workflows, including use of oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other standard test equipment.
• Knowledge of IPC-620 and related standards for cable and wire harness assembly is beneficial.
• Interest in growing toward engineering roles and deepening understanding of implantable neuromodulation system design.

Work Environment

This role is based at a medical device R&D site focused on developing an implantable neuromodulation system. You will work in a ground-floor position alongside senior engineering leadership and electrical design engineers, gaining exposure to the full lifecycle from first prototype boards through design verification. The environment centers on hands-on laboratory work with microscopes, oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and standard test equipment, as well as interaction with PCB design files and prototype hardware. Work is collaborative, fast-moving, and highly technical, offering significant learning and growth opportunities for individuals who want to progress toward engineering while contributing directly to cutting-edge medical device development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Irvine, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $46.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Irvine, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.