Lab Technician

BrightAI Corporation•Palo Alto, CA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

BrightAI is a high-growth Physical AI company transforming how businesses interact with the physical world through intelligent automation. Our platform processes data from billions of real-world events—captured through edge devices, mobile sensors, and large-scale cloud infrastructure—to deliver intelligent, real-time decisions. We are looking for a hands-on Lab Technician to support rapid prototyping, debugging, testing, and lab operations across our hardware programs. This role is critical to keeping our engineering teams moving fast and shipping high-quality systems.

Requirements

Strong hands-on experience with electronics assembly, rework, and debugging.
Solid understanding of basic electronic components and circuits (analog and digital).
Ability to read and interpret schematics, datasheets, BOMs, and assembly drawings.
Comfortable working in a fast-moving lab environment with minimal supervision.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, especially when reporting issues and observations.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and safety-conscious.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting early-stage hardware bring-up or startup environments.
Familiarity with automated test setups or validation workflows.
Experience working alongside cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

Hardware Assembly & Rework
Perform fine-pitch SMT soldering (down to 0201, QFN, and BGA rework).
Hand-solder through-hole and surface-mount components.
Rework and repair PCBs using hot air, reflow techniques, and proper flux management.
Build and repair cables, harnesses, and connectors (USB-C, coax, JST, Molex, ribbon, etc.).
Test & Measurement
Use and interpret measurements from oscilloscopes, DMMs, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers (USB, I²C, SPI, UART, CAN).
Operate power supplies, electronic loads, and function/arbitrary waveform generators.
Support electrical bring-up, validation, and failure analysis.
Troubleshooting & Debug
Isolate faults using schematics, block diagrams, and signal tracing.
Verify power rails, clocks, resets, and communication buses.
Identify shorts, opens, and marginal components.
Use tools such as thermal cameras or freeze spray to diagnose failing parts.
Understand common hardware failure modes (power sequencing, clocking issues, bus failures).
Firmware Interaction (Technician Level)
Flash firmware via SWD, JTAG, UART, or USB.
Use debugging tools such as ST-Link, J-Link, Segger, and Nordic tools.
Run automated test scripts and capture logs over serial or USB.
Collaborate with firmware engineers during bring-up and debugging.
Fabrication & Prototyping
Perform PCB trace cuts, bodge wiring, and small circuit modifications.
Build custom adapters, breakout cables, and test fixtures.
Use 3D printers and standard mechanical hand tools to support prototyping.
Documentation & Process
Maintain accurate test logs, lab notebooks, and build records.
Track serial numbers, part revisions, and test conditions.
Update build instructions and diagrams as needed.
Follow ESD procedures and lab safety standards.
Execute structured test procedures, collect data, and report results.
Lab & Team Support
Keep lab benches organized and safe.
Track inventory, labeling, and PCB rework status.
Manage tool calibration schedules.
Work closely with electrical, firmware, mechanical, and validation engineers.
Support fast-paced sprint cycles, demos, and rapid iteration efforts.