Test and Calibration Technician

Nikira Labs designs and manufactures advanced optical-spectroscopy instrumentation and sensors for DoD and national security applications. Our instruments are built on rigorous science and tight engineering discipline — we develop solutions that work under demanding real-world conditions where accuracy and reliability are non-negotiable. We are a small, technically deep team based in Mountain View, CA, and every role here directly shapes what we build and how we grow.

We are looking for a detail-oriented Test & Calibration Technician to join our production team. Reporting to our Operations Manager, you will take finished assemblies through a structured test and calibration workflow, verifying that each unit meets specification before it ships. You will work primarily with test procedures and software tools our expert team has developed. Identification of erroneous results and basic troubleshooting to resolve issues quickly are key capabilities. This role sits at the critical junction between build and delivery — your work is what gives us and our customers confidence in every instrument that leaves the building.

Test & Calibration Execution

•      Execute structured test and calibration procedures on production analyzers, following established work instructions developed by the test engineering team.

•      Operate standard bench instruments — digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, reference gas delivery systems, and data acquisition tools — in support of test and calibration tasks.

•      Record test data accurately and completely for every specified step, including unit serial numbers, test configurations, environmental conditions, pass/fail status, and any anomalies observed.

•      Manage the flow of units through the test and calibration queue, coordinating with build and engineering personnel to maintain steady throughput without creating bottlenecks.

Quality & Anomaly Management

•      Review test results against defined acceptance criteria and flag units that produce erroneous, out-of-tolerance, or otherwise suspect outputs — even when the test tooling indicates a nominal pass.

•      Perform basic first-level troubleshooting to characterize a failure (electrical, optical, software, or calibration-related) and determine whether a unit should be reworked, re-tested, or escalated.

•      Notify team lead promptly and clearly when issues are encountered, providing sufficient detail — data, observations, reproducibility — to support rapid diagnosis.

•      Participate in root cause discussions and implement corrective actions as directed; support continuous improvement of test procedures based on observed failure patterns.

Calibration Standards & Equipment Maintenance

•      Identify and flag equipment that is approaching or has exceeded its calibration interval.

•      Handle calibration reference gases safely, including monitoring cylinder inventory, verifying

certificates of analysis, and following established protocols for gas delivery system operation and changeover.

•      Maintain the test bench area in a clean, organized, and ESD-safe condition; handle sensitive optical and electronic subassemblies in accordance with established handling and storage procedures.

Documentation & Process Support

•      Update and maintain test and calibration records, work instructions, and traveler documentation, ensuring that all paperwork reflects what was actually done and is complete before a unit advances.

•      Assist the test engineering team in building, validating, and maintaining test jigs and fixtures as needed.

•      US Citizenship (required for access to DoD program areas and materials).

•      A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field such as Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or other applied science; OR equivalent demonstrated hands-on experience in an electronics or instrumentation environment.

•      Practical experience operating bench test equipment: digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and similar instruments.

•      Ability to read and follow detailed written procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation precisely and consistently.

•      Strong attention to detail — you notice when a number is off, when a waveform doesn't look right, or when a result is inconsistent with prior units, even if it technically passes a threshold check.

•      Clear, proactive communication skills: when something is wrong, you say so immediately and with enough specificity that the right people can act on it.

•      Comfortable working with computers for data entry, test software operation, and records management; basic proficiency with standard office tools (spreadsheets, shared drives, etc.).

•      Ability to work independently within a defined process and to collaborate effectively in a small, close-knit technical team.

•      Experience in a production or manufacturing test environment, particularly for instrumentation, photonics, or precision electronics.

•      Familiarity with optical spectroscopy, laser-based sensing, or gas-phase measurement systems.

•      Experience with calibration practices and traceability standards (e.g., NIST-traceable calibration, ISO 17025 concepts).

•      Working knowledge of Python or other scripting languages sufficient to run and lightly modify test scripts, interpret outputs, and troubleshoot basic software issues.

•      Experience with compressed gas or specialty gas handling in a laboratory or production setting.

•      Familiarity with ESD-safe handling practices and clean bench/lab protocols.

•      Prior exposure to a DoD or government-contract production environment.

•      Active DoD security clearance, or ability and willingness to obtain one.

•      Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

•      Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

•      401(k) with company matching.

•      Flexible spending account (FSA).

•      Paid time off.

•      Cell phone stipend.

•      A technically rich environment where you will work alongside scientists and engineers developing state-of-the-art sensing technology — and where your contributions to product quality are visible and valued.