R&D Equipment Technician
Company: Orion Talent
Job Ref: # 3389509
Date Posted: 11/4/2026 12:00:00 AM
City, State: Richmond, CA
Salary: $92,000
Description
Go to end ⇓- 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.




















