Job Description
Overview
The Principal Engineering Technician is the highest-level technician role in our organization and serves as a key technical partner to Electrical Engineers and other engineering disciplines. This role requires advanced hands-on expertise in one or more of the areas of electronic assemblies, cable/harness design, troubleshooting, and effective management of engineering lab equipment. The Principal Engineering Technician independently executes complex technical tasks, guides junior technicians, and ensures that the engineering lab operates efficiently, safely, and with high technical rigor.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Perform advanced soldering and rework on small electronic components, including fine‑pitch ICs, micro‑components, and SMT devices.
- Conduct board-level troubleshooting on complex CCAs, identifying component-level issues and supporting corrective actions.
- Design, assemble, and document wire harnesses and custom cable assemblies per engineering and program requirements.
- Support prototype builds, system integration efforts, engineering tests, and hardware validation.
- Use professional electrical engineering lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, programmable power supplies, and other diagnostic tools.
- Manage engineering lab equipment inventory, including tracking location, ownership, calibration status, and scheduling calibration/repair as needed.
- Ensure lab organization, safety compliance, and proper handling of sensitive electronic hardware.
- Assist electrical engineers with root-cause analysis, data collection, test execution, and documentation.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to junior technicians and promote best practices across the technician group.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to support hardware development and program objectives.
- Must be able to comply with OSHA, EPA, Fire Regulations, Company Policies and Procedures.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Capable of performing process engineering tasks commensurate with experience.
Competencies & Technical Areas (Candidates may possess some, but not necessarily all)
- Precision soldering on small or delicate electronic components
- Component-level troubleshooting on CCAs and electronic assemblies
- Wire harness and cable design or assembly experience
- Familiarity with electrical engineering lab instruments (oscilloscope, VNA, spectrum analyzer, etc.)
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and layouts
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional soldering certifications such as IPC‑A‑610, IPC‑J‑STD‑001, or equivalent
- Experience in MIL-STDs, aerospace, defense, communications, or similar technical industries (if applicable)
Education, Experience, License, or Certification:
- Associates degree in Engineering Technology, equivalent degree, or related work experience; manufacturing engineering support
- 9+ years of related work experience
- Must be computer literate
- Position requires the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
#LI-AH1 Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:
- Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
- Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
- Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
- Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
- Flexible Vacation & PTO
- Paid Parental Leave
- Generous Employee Referral Program
- Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
- Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees
This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
*For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations.
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