R&D Equipment Technician

Description

• Assemble, install, modify, and rework electrical, mechanical, cable, and vacuum equipment in collaboration with engineers.
• Build and modify prototype systems using engineering drawings, schematics, and technical instructions.
• Wire electrical control terminals, AC and DC components, cable terminations, and associated equipment.
• Perform electrical checks, continuity testing, and hand soldering.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, CAD models, electrical schematics, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and operating procedures.
• Test and troubleshoot equipment at the system level to identify electrical, mechanical, and operational failures.
• Diagnose wiring problems, improper grounds, sensor failures, pump issues, and vacuum system malfunctions.
• Support troubleshooting and testing of plasma-related equipment and high-voltage systems.
• Perform helium leak checks and assist with vacuum system testing.
• Inspect completed work for defects, document findings, and perform corrective rework under engineering guidance.
• Safely operate hand tools, power tools, bench equipment, and common electrical testing instruments.
• Assist with fixtures, equipment positioning, and component handling in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
• Order and track components and materials against bills of materials (BOMs).
• Receive shipments, update inventory records, and prepare component kits for upcoming equipment builds.
• Identify material shortages, long-lead components, and potential supply issues.
• Coordinate with engineering personnel regarding component availability and project requirements.
• Support equipment installation, testing, troubleshooting, and service at customer locations, including occasional international travel.
• Follow established safety procedures when working with high-voltage equipment, energized electrical systems, radio frequency (RF) equipment, vacuum and pressure systems, and stored electrical energy.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and communicate equipment problems, test results, and corrective actions to engineering personnel.

• Hands-on experience as an equipment technician, electronics technician, electromechanical technician, assembly technician, or technical maintenance technician.
• Equivalent military technical maintenance experience is acceptable.
• Practical understanding of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or electromechanical equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, electrical schematics, system diagrams, and written work instructions.
• Hands-on experience assembling, disassembling, modifying, or repairing technical equipment.
• Practical electronics and systems troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to use common electrical test instruments to perform wiring checks, continuity testing, and fault isolation.
• Hand soldering skills.
• Ability to identify electrical and mechanical equipment problems and assist with corrective repairs.
• Proficiency using hand tools, power tools, and bench equipment.
• Ability to safely assemble and rework electrical and mechanical components.
• Ability to follow engineering instructions and perform technical work accurately.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar equipment, systems, and technologies.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to document technical findings, equipment problems, and corrective actions.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers and technical team members.
• Basic familiarity with bills of materials (BOMs) and component identification.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for parts and inventory tracking.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate materials for equipment builds.
• Ability to follow established laboratory, electrical, and equipment safety procedures.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research and development environment.
• Willingness to work on-site in Richmond, CA, with occasional assignments at a nearby Berkeley facility.
• Valid passport and willingness to travel internationally for equipment installation and service.

• Ability to work full-time and on-site in Richmond, CA.
• Ability to work occasionally at a nearby Berkeley, CA, facility.
• Ability to travel internationally on a limited basis to support customer equipment installations and service.
• Must possess a valid passport.
• Ability to work in laboratory, workshop, and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds as required.
• Ability to perform hands-on electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical assembly and troubleshooting.
• Ability to use electrical testing equipment, hand tools, power tools, and bench equipment safely.
• Ability to follow engineering drawings, schematics, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
• Ability to perform equipment testing, inspections, and corrective rework under engineering direction.
• Ability to follow safety requirements when working near energized equipment, high-voltage systems, RF equipment, vacuum and pressure systems, and stored electrical energy.
• Ability to maintain accurate equipment, component, and inventory records.
• Ability to coordinate with engineering personnel regarding equipment builds, testing, and material requirements.
• Ability to adapt to changing project priorities and iterative prototype development activities.

• Experience maintaining, assembling, or troubleshooting vacuum equipment.
• Experience with vacuum pumps, vacuum chambers, and leak detection systems.
• Experience performing helium leak checks.
• Experience with semiconductor manufacturing or semiconductor capital equipment.
• Experience fabricating electrical cables and wiring harnesses.
• Experience assembling electrical control panels.
• Experience working with high-voltage electrical equipment.
• Experience building, modifying, or testing research and development prototypes.
• Experience working in a startup, electronics manufacturing, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with electrostatic discharge (ESD) handling procedures.
• Familiarity with RF equipment and associated safety requirements.
• Experience supporting plasma systems or related research equipment.
• Experience with purchasing, inventory management, receiving, and component kitting.
• Experience coordinating vendors and tracking supplier deliveries.
• Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• Experience with NetSuite, Arena, Odoo, SAP, or similar systems.
• Experience tracking supplier lead times and long-lead components.
• Experience working with international vendors or shipping documentation.
• Experience supporting customer equipment installations and technical service activities.
• Military electronics, electrical, mechanical, avionics, or electromechanical maintenance experience.
• U.S. Navy Electronics Technician (ET), Aviation Electronics Technician (AT), Electrician's Mate (EM), or Machinist's Mate (MM) experience.
• U.S. Marine Corps avionics, aviation electrical, ground electronics, communications/electronics maintenance, or precision equipment maintenance experience.
• U.S. Air Force avionics, electronics maintenance, aircraft electrical/environmental systems, test station/component maintenance, or electromechanical equipment experience.
• U.S. Army avionics mechanic, aircraft electrician, radio/communications equipment repair, or electronics maintenance experience.
• U.S. Coast Guard Electronics Technician (ET), Electrician's Mate (EM), Aviation Electrical Technician (AET), or Machinery Technician (MK) experience.
• U.S. Space Force experience involving hands-on RF/electronics testing, hardware integration, technical troubleshooting, or ground-equipment maintenance.

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