Electrical Technician

California State University, Sacramento•Sacramento, CA

32d•$4,595 - $6,694•Onsite

About The Position

The Electrical Technician provides comprehensive technical support for the departments in the College of Engineering and Computer Science by maintaining, repairing, installing, and upgrading a wide range of instructional and research laboratory equipment used in electronics, power systems, instrumentation, and student project work. Qualified individuals in this specialty fabricate, assemble, and install electrical and electronic components by following prints, diagrams, rough sketches, or verbal instructions. They are able to debug and troubleshoot complete electronic systems using test equipment and schematic diagrams, devise assembly methods, and integrate electronic components with other electrical devices to ensure proper wiring, mounting, and physical isolation, minimizing electrical interference, regenerative feedback, and mechanical failure under expected conditions of temperature, vibration, and shock. The Electrical Technician develops plans and schematic diagrams for equipment and systems, prepares diagrams for planning complete installations, and assists in designing modifications or drawing revised plans for existing systems. A qualified individual calibrates, tests, adjusts, and repairs complex or specialized laboratory equipment, including devices that require specialized training. The position also provides guidance to faculty and students on equipment selection by explaining the relative advantages, performance characteristics, and costs of different types and brands of equipment. A key responsibility of this role is supporting hands-on engineering education. The Electrical Technician assists students in developing research and project equipment by designing and fabricating electronic controls, test fixtures, PCBs, and devices; demonstrates the proper operation of specialized instruments; and ensures safe, effective use of laboratory resources. A qualified individual develops detailed system layouts after an engineer or supervisor proposes basic designs and certifies the accuracy and proper functioning of equipment when safety or instructional outcomes may be affected. Working independently under general supervision, the Technician manages the EEE Service Center, oversees workflow and parts inventory, performs preventive maintenance, and coordinates installation of new systems and facility improvements. The role requires strong judgment, technical expertise, and consistent attention to safety while interacting with students, faculty, staff, and vendors to support the department’s instructional and research missions.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the construction, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical and electronic systems.
Ability to perform complex troubleshooting and diagnostics of analog, digital, electromechanical, and computer-interfaced equipment.
Ability to design, fabricate, modify, and repair electronic or electrical equipment using schematics, drawings, rough sketches, or verbal instructions.
Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, PCB layouts, data sheets, and equipment manuals.
Proficiency in soldering (through-hole and surface-mount), wiring, cable fabrication, and safe equipment handling.
Ability to install, maintain, and configure a wide variety of laboratory and instructional equipment (oscilloscopes, meters, power supplies, motors, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, etc.).
Ability to use computer software to document work, prepare schematics, generate PCB files, perform basic programming or configuration, and maintain records.
Ability to manage parts inventory, lab equipment inventory, repair workflows, and documentation.
Ability to make arithmetic calculations and measurements appropriate to the duties of the position.
Ability to read and write at a level appropriate to the job duties.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgement in troubleshooting and repair.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and manage workflow in a fast-paced teaching environment.
Ability to interact effectively and professionally with students, including providing guidance on proper tool usage, safety, and fabrication techniques.
Ability to maintain a safe working environment and enforce department safety procedures.
Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.
AA degree in electronics, telecommunications, industrial technology, or a closely related field, OR equivalent training and experience.
Equivalent to two years of journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair, fabrication, or operation of electronic, electrical, electromechanical, or laboratory equipment.
OR two years of semi-skilled technical experience supporting engineering labs or maintaining technical equipment may substitute for one year of required experience.
OR completion of two years of trade school, technical arts training, an apprenticeship program, or military specialization in electronic/electrical equipment repair may substitute for one year of experience.
Extensive experience installing, maintaining, modifying, and repairing electrical and electronic hardware in a multi-vendor environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of electrical, electronic, and computer-interfaced systems commonly used in engineering laboratories.
Experience safely using hand tools, power tools, soldering and de-soldering equipment, and standard test instruments (oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, etc.).
Experience working in environments that enforce electrical safety practices.
Good interpersonal communication skills, technical writing ability, and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and faculty.

Nice To Haves

Some design experience related to electrical/electronic/mechanical interfaces and peripherals is desirable.
Experience with PCB design and fabrication, including CAD tools such as KiCad, Altium Designer, Eagle, or equivalent.
Experience operating PCB prototyping equipment (such as CNC PCB mills, UV exposure units, reflow ovens, pick-and-place machines, etc.).
Experience supporting students with hands-on projects, makerspace environments, or engineering design courses.
Experience fabricating or assisting with prototypes, test fixtures, power electronics assemblies, RF circuits, or embedded system projects.
Experience with microcontroller programming environments (Arduino, STM32, TI, etc.) as relevant for student projects.
Familiarity with high-voltage, motor-drive, or power electronics equipment used in an academic engineering environment.
Experience troubleshooting and repairing test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, or electronic loads.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline.
IPC certifications (e.g., IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/7721) or equivalent soldering and rework credentials.
Formal electrical safety training applicable to power labs, such as: OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 (General Industry or Construction) with emphasis on electrical safety; NFPA 70E training (Arc Flash and Electrical Safety in the Workplace); Documented Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) training and experience implementing LOTO procedures.
Training or certification in high-voltage and high-energy lab safety, including safe operation of power systems, rotating machinery, and energized equipment in an instructional setting.
Prior experience developing or implementing lab safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, or safety briefings for students.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide students through fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting processes.
Experience working in academic environments or supporting instructional laboratory infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Maintain, repair, install, and upgrade a wide range of instructional and research laboratory equipment used in electronics, power systems, instrumentation, and student project work.
Fabricate, assemble, and install electrical and electronic components by following prints, diagrams, rough sketches, or verbal instructions.
Debug and troubleshoot complete electronic systems using test equipment and schematic diagrams.
Devise assembly methods and integrate electronic components with other electrical devices.
Develop plans and schematic diagrams for equipment and systems.
Prepare diagrams for planning complete installations.
Assist in designing modifications or drawing revised plans for existing systems.
Calibrate, test, adjust, and repair complex or specialized laboratory equipment.
Provide guidance to faculty and students on equipment selection.
Assist students in developing research and project equipment by designing and fabricating electronic controls, test fixtures, PCBs, and devices.
Demonstrate the proper operation of specialized instruments.
Ensure safe, effective use of laboratory resources.
Develop detailed system layouts after an engineer or supervisor proposes basic designs.
Certify the accuracy and proper functioning of equipment.
Manage the EEE Service Center, oversee workflow and parts inventory.
Perform preventive maintenance.
Coordinate installation of new systems and facility improvements.