Electrical Engineer

 

Our client is a highly recognized manufacturer located in North County San Diego (Carlsbad, CA) that has been in existence for over 50 years.  They are seeking a mid-level Contract Electrical Engineer to serve as a technical floater between the Electrical Engineering and PCB (PC) departments. This role is highly hands-on and manufacturing-focused, supporting production troubleshooting, PCB yield improvement, test  development, and cross-functional engineering initiatives.  The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced production environment, enjoys working directly on the manufacturing floor, and brings strong PCB troubleshooting expertise along with practical electrical engineering experience. This position requires onsite presence due to direct involvement in production, testing, equipment support, and real-time troubleshooting.

 

• Production Troubleshooting & Issue Resolution
  • Diagnose and resolve production-related electrical and PCB assembly issues.
  • Troubleshoot analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits at board and system levels.
  • Perform root cause analysis on recurring failures and implement corrective actions.
  • Support repair department with failure analysis and engineering feedback.
  • Partner with the PC department to improve first-pass yield and reduce rework. 

• PCB & SMT Manufacturing Support
  • Support SMT processes including programming, solder paste printing, reflow, and through-hole assembly. 
  • Assist in troubleshooting SMT/Paste Machine/Solderwave equipment and PCB assembly issues.
  • Conduct first article inspections and support quality control investigations.
  • Develop and improve test protocols, fixtures, and jigs for PCB production.
  • Interpret PCB layouts, BOMs, and assembly drawings accurately. 

• Test Engineering & Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and document board-level and system-level test procedures.
  • Perform prototype validation testing and production test support.
  • Identify Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Reliability (DFR) improvements.
  • Assist with Altium database updates (footprints, part validation, obsolescence review).
  • Generate KPI reports and maintain troubleshooting documentation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Engineering, PC Manufacturing, Repair, Quality, and Procurement.
  • Support vendor part qualification and evaluation of new components.
  • Provide training and troubleshooting guidance to production staff.
  • Maintain strong communication with leadership regarding trends and improvement opportunities. 

• Education & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 4-8 years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Strong background in PCB assembly, SMT processes, and production troubleshooting.
  • Experience supporting high-mix, low-to-mid volume manufacturing preferred.
  • Experience in audio, wireless systems, or A/V manufacturing is a plus. 

• Technical Competencies
  • Strong circuit troubleshooting skills (analog and digital).
  • Experience with SMT equipment and PCB assembly processes.
  • Experience with solder paste printers, reflow ovens, and wave soldering.
  • Through-hole and SMT rework experience.
  • Proficiency reading schematics, PCB layouts, BOMs, and assembly drawings.
  • Experience using Altium and CC+ (database management preferred).
  • Familiarity with ERP systems (Sage 100 preferred).
  • Working knowledge of IPC and ESD standards.
  • Experience with oscilloscopes, RMS meters, power supplies, and signal generators.
  • Ability to develop production test fixtures and documentation.
  • EMC and EMI Troubleshoot/Testing.
  • Routine Tests: Ground Bound Test – Dielectric Tests. 

• Soft Skills & Attributes
  • High Emotional Intelligence; collaborative and solution-oriented.
  • Comfortable working on the production floor daily.
  • Strong documentation and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a small, agile company.
  • Positive attitude and hands-on approach.
  • Self-starter who takes initiative without heavy oversight.
  • Clear and effective communicator across departments. 

• Physical & Work Requirements
  • Primarily onsite presence required.
  • Ability to lift up to 50–60 lbs.
  • Ability to stand, kneel, twist, and move between departments.
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States.