Thick Film Printer Technician – Level 2

Lockwood Industries, LLC dba Fralock•Poway, CA

2h•$22 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Fralock is an engineered solutions provider of specialty components and subassemblies using advanced materials for high reliability, severe environment, and technically challenging applications. We develop and manufacture custom integrated solutions. Established in 1967, we are a critical solutions provider to Fortune 500 corporations, government, and targeted OEMs in a variety of industries including Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing, Medical and Life Science, Aerospace and Defense, Industrial, Electronics, and Energy. Fralock is headquartered in Valencia, CA with manufacturing locations located throughout Northern and Southern California. This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the successful candidate must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR (which generally means (i) be a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) be a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (iii) have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, or have been granted asylum, as specified under applicable law. We are seeking a skilled and proactive Thick Film Printer Technician - Level 2 to join our technical manufacturing team. In this role, you will be responsible for setting up, adjusting, operating, and maintaining thick film screen printers, as well as monitoring drying and firing processes. Working under moderate supervision, you will play a key role in minimizing print defects, executing routine maintenance, and supporting continuous improvement and yield-enhancement initiatives on the production floor.

Requirements

Intermediate proficiency in thick film screen printing operations, screen handling, and mesh/emulsion inspection.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, process travelers, and equipment operating manuals.
Competency in using optical inspection equipment, micrometers, calipers, and basic shop tools.
Solid understanding of paste characteristics, substrate preparation, and basic drying profiles.
Solid problem-solving skills and attention to detail when identifying and resolving print defects.
Good communication and teamwork skills to coordinate effectively with production operators, quality control, and engineering staff.
Strong commitment to quality control, ESD compliance, and workplace safety standards.
High School Diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience operating and maintaining thick film screen printers or precision microelectronic assembly equipment.
Solid foundation in screen printer setup (vision alignment, squeegee mechanics, snap-off adjustment).
Familiarity with firing furnaces, belt dryers, and paste rheology.
Proficiency using precision measurement and inspection tools.
Basic proficiency with manufacturing execution software (MES/ERP) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to stand for long periods, perform repetitive fine-motor tasks, use precision microscopes, and lift up to 30 lbs. regularly.
Required to wear mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleanroom garments at all times (smocks, hairnets, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toe footwear where designated).
Strict adherence to chemical safety, ESD protocols, and SOPs is required.
Work is performed in a cleanroom and manufacturing floor environment, which includes adherence to strict contamination controls, handling chemical pastes, and exposure to varying temperature conditions near thermal equipment.
Must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR.

Nice To Haves

Technical trade school certification or coursework in a related technical discipline is a plus.
Flexibility to work assigned shifts and occasional overtime as required.
May require working specific assigned shifts (day, swing, or graveyard), occasional weekend support, and overtime to accommodate production demands and scheduled maintenance windows.

Responsibilities

Perform routine machine setups, screen alignment, and program selections on automated and semi-automated thick film screen printers.
Inspect printed substrates for common defects (e.g., smearing, bridging, thickness variations, misregistration) using optical microscopes and measurement tools; make intermediate adjustments to squeegee pressure, snap-off, and print speed as needed.
Handle, mix, and maintain conductive/resistive inks according to procedure, monitoring viscosity, shelf-life, and proper screen cleaning/storage.
Perform scheduled preventative maintenance routines, optical checks, and intermediate mechanical/pneumatic troubleshooting on printer platforms and auxiliary dryers.
Accurately record production output, lot tracking data, scrap logs, and traveler sign-offs in the manufacturing execution system (MES) or ERP platform.
Support 5S and Lean manufacturing initiatives by maintaining a clean, orderly, and ESD-safe printing workstation.
Strictly follow all plant safety guidelines, chemical handling procedures, cleanroom protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).