Engineering Technician - MMIC

Mini-Circuits•Carlsbad, CA

11d

About The Position

The Engineering Technician works with MMIC design, program management, quality, mechanical design, and RF test teams to transition products from development to production. The role builds, repairs, and tests boards containing very small, fragile bare-die and SMT components, following documented work instructions and requiring meticulous hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. The technician sets up, operates, calibrates, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs assembly equipment and tooling, including epoxy dispensing systems, wire bonders, reflow ovens, soldering and rework stations, wire-pull and die-shear equipment, microscopes, and laser marking and trimming systems. The technician also operates RF and DC test equipment as needed. The position covers wire-bonding and die-attach process development and production, epoxy dispensing, package molding, failure analysis, PCB and component-level assembly and rework, and component selection for high-frequency and high-power devices. The technician inspects components and assemblies, supports equipment maintenance and lab cleanliness, and follows safety procedures. Additional duties within the scope of the position may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or international equivalent.
Technician certification and 5+ years of experience in RF product test or a related field.
Understanding of quality certification systems such as ISO 9001 or related systems.
Understanding of inspection acceptability standards such as IPC-A-610J or related standards.
Familiarity with various RF test debugging equipment.
Experience with wire bonding, die attach, epoxy dispensing, and failure analysis.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for working in a cross-functional team environment.
High self-motivation and a strong sense of ownership in driving tasks to completion.
Very steady hands and the ability to work with components visible only under a microscope.
Ability to set up, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair assembly equipment and tooling.
Ability to set up and operate DC and RF test equipment.
Ability to read, write, and communicate orally in English.
Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings and use electronic work instructions.
Ability to sit at a bench for extended periods and work under a microscope.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Knowledge of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and prevention procedures.
Ability to comply with and support corporate safety initiatives and abide by the Company's Code of Conduct.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds, close vision, and adjusting focus.

Responsibilities

Develop and perform wire-bonding and die-attach processes for development and production.
Dispense epoxies using manual and benchtop dispensing systems.
Perform package molding and failure analysis using tools such as die-shear and bond-pull equipment and Keyence systems.
Assemble, troubleshoot, and rework PCBs and components.
Select components for high-frequency and high-power devices.
Set up assembly equipment and tooling, including epoxy dispensers, wire bonders, and oven profiles, and kit bills of materials according to assembly diagrams and instructions.
Manually attach bare-die MMICs, chip capacitors, and other microelectronic components using electrically conductive epoxies.
Perform wire bonding using different wire and ribbon sizes and ball- and wedge-based techniques.
Thread 1 mil diameter wire on ball and wedge bonders.
Define and execute basic DOEs to adjust wire-bond parameters.
Read assembly drawings and provide markups for improvements or design changes when needed.
Inspect components and assembled parts at specified intervals and report deviations from standards.
Set up, calibrate, and perform preventative maintenance on equipment.
Keep the work area and equipment clean and orderly, follow safety procedures, and assist other staff with lab cleanliness.
Set up and operate equipment for electrical testing of RF components.