What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Test Technician position at X-Microwave LLC?
Description
Company Overview
X-Microwave, an ARXIS company, offers a modular design system technology that has revolutionized the RF and microwave industry. RF and microwave engineers use X-MWblock® modular building blocks to rapidly evaluate, prototype, and produce high-end RF and microwave systems faster, easier, and at lower cost. Applications include wireless infrastructure, radar, navigation, transportation, quantum computing, medical devices, test and measurement, and more. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, X-Microwave serves Tier 1 and Tier 2 aerospace and defense clients and is recognized as a leader in defining the future of mission-critical electronics.
Position Overview
The Senior RF / Microwave Test Technician is responsible for testing, troubleshooting, tuning, and verifying high-performance RF, microwave, and mixed-signal electronic assemblies used in defense, aerospace, telecommunications, and commercial applications. This position serves as the technical leader on the production floor for RF testing activities, supporting manufacturing, engineering, quality, and new product introduction (NPI) efforts while mentoring junior technicians.
The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience operating sophisticated RF test equipment, interpreting engineering documentation, diagnosing complex failures to the component level, and ensuring products meet stringent electrical performance requirements.
Key Responsibilities
• Perform functional, parametric, and environmental testing of RF and microwave assemblies, subassemblies, and systems.
• Operate and configure RF test equipment such as: Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Oscilloscopes, Power Meters, Noise Figure Analyzers, Frequency Counters, RF Switch Matrices
• Execute acceptance testing in accordance with manufacturing travelers, test procedures, customer specifications, and military standards.
• Troubleshoot RF and microwave assemblies to the component level using electrical schematics, block diagrams, layouts, and engineering documentation.
• Tune filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, synthesizers, frequency converters, and other RF circuits to achieve required electrical performance.
• Verify key RF performance parameters including: Gan, Insertion Loss, Return Loss, VSWR, Isolation, Compression, Linearity, Noise Figure, Phase Noise, Harmonic Performance, Spurious Response
• Support engineering investigations involving yield improvement, product failures, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior test technicians.
• Assist Test Engineering with fixture validation, procedure improvements, and automated test implementation.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by validating manufacturing test procedures and identifying production risks.
• Document troubleshooting activities and corrective actions within manufacturing systems.
• Participate in root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, IPC, ESD, and customer quality requirements.
• Support calibration activities and verify proper operation of test equipment.
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, first-pass yield, and test efficiency.
Requirements
Skills & Position Requirements
• Associate degree in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, or equivalent military or technical training.
• 7 years of experience testing RF, microwave, or high-frequency electronic assemblies in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of: RF theory, Microwave transmission lines, Impedance matching, Smith Charts, S-Parameters, Signal integrity
• Demonstrated proficiency using RF laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot analog, digital, and RF circuits to the component level.
• Ability to read: Schematics, Wiring diagrams, Assembly drawings, Bills of Materials (BOM), Test procedures
• Experience using ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in aerospace, defense, satellite communications, radar, EW, or military electronics manufacturing.
• Familiarity with automated test systems (ATE).
• Experience with LabVIEW, TestStand, Python, or other automated test software.
• Knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-7711/7721.
• Active or previously held U.S. Security Clearance.
• Experience with environmental, vibration, thermal, and ESS testing.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.