Engineering Technician

Job Title: Engineering Electronic Technician Space and Defense PC Board Assembly Job Description
This role focuses on hands-on engineering electronic technician work, assembling and supporting prototype and production printed circuit boards (PCBs) for space and defense applications. You will perform high-reliability soldering and PCB assembly in accordance with J-STD, IPC, and NASA space flight hardware standards, collaborating closely with engineering teams to turn designs, sketches, and drawings into fully documented, testable hardware for demanding aerospace environments.
Responsibilities
- Assemble prototype and production printed circuit boards for space flight hardware and defense-related programs.
- Perform high-reliability soldering, including through-hole and surface-mount components, in accordance with J-STD and IPC standards.
- Interpret and work from assembly drawings, engineering blueprints, and electronic schematics, including NASA and defense specifications.
- Build, troubleshoot, test, and reassemble electronic assemblies, ensuring compliance with space and aerospace documentation requirements.
- Carry out repair and rework of PCB assemblies under J-STD guidelines based on engineering team updates, developments, and design changes.
- Document assembly, test, troubleshooting, and rework activities thoroughly to meet space flight hardware and aerospace-grade quality standards.
- Collaborate with R&D and engineering teams in a lab or cleanroom environment to support new product development and prototype builds.
- Handle electronics, PCBs, and related components with precision and care, maintaining cleanliness and reliability standards suitable for extreme operating environments.
- Follow established processes and quality procedures to ensure rugged, aerospace-grade data acquisition and control systems meet performance and reliability requirements.
Essential Skills
- Minimum 3+ years of experience assembling products or components for space, defense, or aerospace applications in a prototype, R&D, or new product development environment.
- At least 5+ years of experience in soldering, including through-hole and surface-mount techniques, and printed circuit board assembly.
- Current J-STD certification, with demonstrated ability to apply J-STD requirements in daily assembly and rework activities.
- Current IPC certifications such as IPC-610 and IPC-620, or equivalent, with practical experience applying these standards.
- Experience working with NASA standards or NASA space flight hardware specifications.
- Strong proficiency in soldering and prototype assembly of electronic hardware directly from drawings and engineering documentation.
- Ability to interpret and accurately follow assembly drawings, engineering drawings, blueprints, and electronic schematics.
- Hands-on experience with PCB assembly, electronics troubleshooting, repair, and rework in a high-reliability environment.
- Familiarity with space flight hardware requirements, including heavy documentation and rigorous quality processes.
- Comfort working in R&D lab and cleanroom environments with space and defense hardware.
- Knowledge of J-STD, IPC standards, and space or defense specifications relevant to electronic assemblies.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience supporting NASA, JPL, Mars Rover, Navy, or other defense-related programs is highly beneficial.
- Background in rugged, aerospace-grade data acquisition and control systems used on rockets, spacecraft, aircraft, or other remote platforms.
- Exposure to new product introduction and prototype development cycles in aerospace or defense industries.
- Ability to collaborate closely with engineering teams and contribute to design-for-assembly feedback.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, mission-critical hardware.
- Any additional current J-STD or IPC certifications beyond the required ones are considered a plus.
Work Environment
You will work in a smaller, product-oriented shop with a collaborative team environment focused on space and defense technologies. The organization develops rugged aerospace-grade data acquisition and control systems for rockets, spacecraft, aircraft, and other remote platforms operating in extreme environments. Work is primarily performed in R&D lab and cleanroom settings, following strict processes and documentation standards suitable for space flight hardware and defense applications. The environment emphasizes high-end technology, close collaboration with engineering, and meticulous attention to quality and reliability.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Pasadena, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $43.00/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 Pasadena, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Pasadena,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 without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall 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 applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.