Electronics Test and PCB Technician

Description Location:Longmont, CO (onsite) Experience: 5+ years of experience of hands-on electronics experience explicitly focused on testing, troubleshooting, or assembling printed circuit assemblies. Minimum Education: Associate Degree or Technical equivalent is required. Compensation:$35-$45/hour depending on experience. Who We Are nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities - from semiconductor device through target identification - to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country. Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Electronics Test & Intake Technician to manage testing, troubleshooting, and intake of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in our electrical engineering PCB lab. This role focuses exclusively on the PCB lifecycle, from intake/inspection through testing and functional validation, handling a diverse mix of high-voltage/high-power boards and low-power digital/analog PCBs. You will run automated tests, isolate failures with conventional lab instruments, and perform high-quality board modifications to support rapid hardware development. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at:https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities:

• Perform incoming inspection, serialization, and intake validation for custom and prototype PCBs; log hardware revisions and failure tracking seamlessly within GitLab.
• Execute test procedures on low-power digital/analog and high-voltage/high-power circuit boards utilizing custom Python testing scripts alongside conventional lab instrumentation.
• Analyze simple electronic circuits to isolate component-level or trace failures; utilize Altium Designer and Visio documentation to cross-reference schematics and layout designs during debugging.
• Execute high-quality, in-house board modifications, component replacements, and trace repairs on both Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Plated Through-Hole (PTH) components.
• Set up and safely operate standard electronics engineering lab tools including oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), function generators, electronic loads, and high-voltage power supplies.
• Optimize PCB-specific testing stations; collaborate with engineers using SolidWorks models to ensure proper fitment of mechanical support hardware and test fixtures.

Required Experience / Capability:

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on electronics experience explicitly focused on testing, troubleshooting, or assembling printed circuit assemblies.
• Associate degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, or a closely related technical field.
• High degree of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are necessary to safely handle sensitive electronic components, manipulate test probes, and operate delicate rework tools.
• Proven experience safely handling, testing, and initial troubleshooting of printed circuit board assemblies. High voltage experience is a plus.
• Excellent visual acuity and the ability to work under a lab microscope for extended periods to perform fine-pitch inspection, precision soldering, and micro-rework on dense SMT components.
• Active or recent J-STD-001 or IPC-610-A (Preferred) certification is required.
• Expertise in fine-pitch soldering and precision rework for both SMT and PTH components on complex multi-layer boards at IPC class 3 workmanship.
• Familiarity navigating CAD software (Altium Designer, SolidWorks, and Visio preferred) to locate parts, inspect layers, and reference schematics.
• Experience executing Python scripts for hardware validation and utilizing GitLab (or similar Git-based tools) for issue tracking and documentation.

Benefits Summary:

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [emailprotected] .

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see these government posters: “EEO is the Law” and its accompanying temporary supplement. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (360) 566-4460 or Hr@nlight.net. Apply at: https://ipc.us/t/83CBE39D82F24E5C.