Electronics Technician at Specter in San Francisco, CA

Electronics Technician

Specter is creating a software-defined “control plane” for the physical world. We are starting with protecting American businesses by granting them ubiquitous perception over their physical assets.

To do so, we are creating a connected hardware-software ecosystem on top of multi-modal wireless mesh sensing technology. This allows us to drive down the cost and time of deploying sensors by 10x. Our platform will ultimately become the perception engine for a company’s physical footprint, enabling real-time perimeter visibility and autonomous operations management.

Our co-founders Xerxes and Philip are passionate about empowering our partners in the fast-approaching world of physical AI and robotics. We are a small, fast-growing team who hail from Anduril, Tesla, Rivian, Uber, and the U.S. Special Forces.

Role + Responsibilities:

Specter is hiring an R&D Electronics Technician to join a high-impact team supporting the rapid development and iteration of our core hardware. You will be responsible for executing high-difficulty PCBA rework and harness repairs while collaborating directly with the engineering team to bring new products to life. The products range from complex sensing components to full test rack systems, from concept to reality.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform high-complexity soldering and rework on through-hole and SMT components in accordance with IPC and JSTD standards.
• Support the rapid iteration of electronic components and harnesses, bridging the gap between engineering designs and functional prototypes.
• Execute mechanical and electrical assembly of PCBAs into finished products and integrated systems.
• Manage specialized coating processes, including conformal coat application, masking, and epoxy application.
• Read and interpret technical documentation, working from engineering drawings, schematics, and controlled processes to ensure build accuracy.
• Assist in the development of production processes for first-time production runs, helping establish the standards for future scalability.
• Collaborate closely with the engineering team to troubleshoot hardware and provide hands-on feedback to improve design manufacturability.
• Self-monitor work progress against area benchmarks to ensure the on-time delivery of critical R&D milestones.
• Assist in the production of products on the manufacturing line as needed to deliver products to customers.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy and efficiency, ensuring all work meets the rigorous quality requirements of mission-critical hardware.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in mechanical, electrical, and/or PCBA assembly and rework.
• Proficiency in soldering and de-soldering techniques for both through-hole and SMT components.
• Strong understanding of IPC and JSTD standards for electronics assembly and rework.
• Ability to read and interpret complex drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Hands-on experience with harness fabrication, repair, and integration.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast-iteration environments where designs and requirements evolve rapidly.
• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail, with a proven track record of maintaining high accuracy in precision work.

Bonus:

• Experience with ruggedized electronics or mission-critical hardware systems.
• Familiarity with test rack systems and test fixture assembly.
• Prior experience in a high-growth startup or R&D environment.