Digital Systems Technician at Spectrum Control in Marlborough, MA

Summary: Spectrum Control is a company that focuses on manufacturing and testing complex digital electronic assemblies for commercial, military, and aerospace products. They are seeking a Digital Systems Technician to join their multidisciplinary team, responsible for testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic assemblies, as well as collaborating with engineering to improve processes and product robustness. Responsibilities: - Receive assembled PCBs from manufacturing and verify proper operation of power delivery networks, including voltage accuracy, sequencing, current draw, and fault conditions prior to device programming - Program and configure FPGAs, microcontrollers, and embedded processors using JTAG, SPI, Ethernet, or vendor-specific tools; manage production firmware and software images - Execute automated hardware and software test suites, interpret test results, and diagnose failures using test data and electrical measurements - Troubleshoot digital and mixed-signal hardware issues to the board or component level and coordinate or perform corrective actions as required - Bring up embedded Linux systems to a functional login state, verify basic system operation, and diagnose common boot or configuration issues - Configure and verify Ethernet connectivity for embedded systems, including basic network setup and connectivity diagnostics - Maintain accurate test records, configuration logs, and nonconformance documentation in accordance with quality and production procedures - Collaborate with engineering to improve test processes, manufacturing yield, and product robustness - Assist with the construction, validation, and maintenance of production and engineering test stations - Support advanced VPX and OpenVPX systems as an escalation resource, including complex power-up behavior, multi-FPGA configuration, and system-level debug - Assist with deeper Linux bring-up and integration issues on custom hardware platforms when automated diagnostics are insufficient - Provide detailed failure analysis and documentation to engineering for complex or design-related issues Required Qualifications: - Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or equivalent practical experience in digital electronics test and debug - Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics, block diagrams, test procedures, and technical documentation - Solid understanding of basic DC and AC electronic theory, including passive and active components - Understanding of power regulation, sequencing, clock distribution, and reset architectures in digital systems - Basic knowledge of computer architecture concepts (CPU, SDRAM, non-volatile memory) - Experience using electronic test equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes for circuit verification and troubleshooting - Familiarity with Ethernet networking in Linux environments, including IP addressing, subnetting, SSH access, and basic connectivity diagnostics (ping, ip/ifconfig, ethtool) - Ability to work from documented procedures while exercising independent judgment during fault isolation and system bring-up Preferred Qualifications: - Experience testing and debugging FPGA-based digital systems in a production or lab environment - Familiarity with automated test systems and software-driven diagnostics - Experience with VPX or OpenVPX architectures, including backplane interfaces and module-level integration - Exposure to multi-FPGA systems and complex power sequencing - Experience working with embedded Linux on custom hardware platforms - Basic scripting or programming experience (C, C++, Python, Bash, etc.) - Experience working in ESD-controlled manufacturing or laboratory environments Required Skills: FPGA programming, Digital electronics troubleshooting, Embedded Linux systems Important Skills: Electronic test equipment, Ethernet networking, Basic scripting Nice-to-Have Skills: Willingness to learn, Communication skills, Attention to detail Benefits: Competitive wages, PTO, Benefits begin on day 1 of employment