R&D Engineering Technician

Subsense•Mountain View, CA

6d•$80,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Subsense is seeking a hands-on R&D Engineering Laboratory Technician to support its engineering and research teams across electrical, optical, mechanical, and experimental hardware development. This role is crucial for maintaining the engineering laboratory, which includes preparing test setups, assembling and modifying prototype hardware, fabricating fixtures, managing equipment and component inventory, and ensuring that engineers and scientists have the necessary tools and materials for efficient experimentation. The ideal candidate will be highly hands-on, organized, and detail-oriented, comfortable with tasks ranging from reworking small electronic components under a microscope to aligning optical equipment and creating custom fixtures using 3D printing or machining. The technician will collaborate closely with electrical, optical, mechanical, and bioengineering teams in a dynamic R&D setting with rapidly shifting priorities. This position is based on-site at the Mountain View laboratory.

Requirements

Hands-on experience in an electronics, electrical, optical, mechanical, instrumentation, or research laboratory.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and accurate record-keeping.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving instincts across disciplines.
Ability to work independently, anticipate laboratory needs, and proactively keep engineers unblocked.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced R&D or startup environment where priorities change quickly.
Strong electronics assembly and PCB rework skills.
Experience soldering and inspecting miniature surface-mount components, including 0201 and fine-pitch packages, under a microscope.
Ability to read electrical schematics, PCB drawings, and component documentation.
Experience operating common electrical laboratory equipment and setting up electrical experiments.
Mechanical assembly and rapid prototyping experience.
Experience fabricating fixtures and jigs using 3D printing, laser cutting, or basic machining.
Comfort with hand and power tools and the ability to interpret CAD drawings.
Experience working with LEDs, lasers, photodiodes, optical sensors, or fiber optics.
Ability to assemble and troubleshoot optical and electro-optical test setups.
Experience setting up, running, and documenting laboratory experiments.
Experience managing laboratory equipment, tools, components, or engineering inventory.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, electronics, electro-optics, mechanical engineering technology, instrumentation, or a related technical discipline — or equivalent hands-on experience.
Experience with BGA rework and advanced PCB repair.
Experience with PCB prototyping and hardware bring-up.
Experience with optical alignment and fiber-optic systems.
Experience with CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar) and in-house 3D printing or machining.
Experience with pneumatic, fluidic, or microfluidic systems.
Experience with data acquisition systems or automated test equipment.
Experience with ESD-controlled laboratory environments.
Experience with laboratory equipment calibration and asset management.
Experience in an R&D, medical-device, semiconductor, instrumentation, biotech, or advanced technology environment.
Experience supporting multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams.

Responsibilities

Maintain an organized, functional, and safe engineering laboratory across electrical, optical, and mechanical work areas.
Establish and improve systems for equipment storage, component tracking, and laboratory workflow.
Support laboratory ESD, safety, and equipment-maintenance practices.
Assemble, modify, and rework prototype PCBs and electronic assemblies.
Perform precision soldering and rework of miniature surface-mount components.
Build and modify cables, harnesses, connectors, breakout boards, and test fixtures.
Assist engineers with PCB bring-up, hardware debugging, electrical measurements, and troubleshooting.
Operate common electrical laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and power supplies.
Set up and support optical experiments involving various optical components.
Assist with optical alignment, mounting, and measurement of prototype systems.
Perform mechanical assembly and rapid prototyping of experimental hardware.
Design and fabricate fixtures, jigs, mounts, and enclosures using 3D printing, laser cutting, and basic machining.
Interpret CAD drawings and mechanical documentation; troubleshoot mechanical issues in prototype hardware.
Build and modify experimental hardware to meet evolving research requirements.
Set up, run, and tear down experiments for engineers and scientists.
Prepare and stage equipment ahead of planned experiments; reproduce previously documented experimental configurations reliably.
Support prototype testing and troubleshoot integrated experimental systems.
Provide direct bench support to scientists and engineers during R&D experiments.
Operate and maintain scientific instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
Support pneumatic and fluidic systems used in experimental setups.
Integrate mechanical and electrical subsystems into working test platforms.
Support equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and basic equipment repair.
Maintain accurate inventories of test instruments, tools, fixtures, cables, adapters, and laboratory equipment.
Manage electronic, optical, and mechanical component inventory.
Work with engineers to identify required components and flag shortages early.
Receive, inspect, label, organize, and store incoming materials; maintain stock levels of commonly used components and consumables.
Maintain clear documentation of equipment, inventory, test setups, prototype configurations, and laboratory procedures.
Help develop and improve laboratory procedures, organization, and best practices.
Collaborate with engineers and scientists to troubleshoot experimental hardware and improve laboratory workflows.
Support additional engineering laboratory activities as priorities evolve.