Hardware & Embedded System – Electronics Technician
Summary
Hands-on electronics technician supporting IROV's R&D embedded team that builds ROVs and marine electronics. Day to day: fine-pitch SMD/through-hole soldering, PCB assembly, rework and repair, component-level debugging with lab instruments, cable harness and waterproof connector assembly, and prototype testing through to tank/field trials.
Job Description – Hardware & Embedded System – Electronics Technician
Job Purpose
Key Responsibilities
- Perform high-quality SMD and through-hole soldering on prototype and production PCBs.
- Solder and rework fine-pitch ICs – QFN, QFP, SOIC, TSSOP, 0603 / 0402 and other small SMD components.
- Perform component replacement, wiring modifications and PCB rework.
- Inspect solder joints for defects such as bridging, insufficient solder, cold joints, lifted pads, tombstoning and solder shorts.
- Perform PCB cleaning and post-solder inspection.
- Handle sensitive electronic components using appropriate ESD protection procedures.
- Perform component-level troubleshooting and debugging of analog, digital, power, communication and mixed-signal circuits.
- Identify faults using multimeters, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, DC power supplies, function generators, logic analyzers and other laboratory equipment.
- Trace power rails and signal paths to identify faulty components and circuit-level issues.
- Troubleshoot problems such as power supply failures, short circuits and excessive current consumption, incorrect voltage levels, communication failures, component overheating, signal integrity issues, intermittent faults and PCB assembly defects.
- Perform systematic root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
- Carry out component-level PCB repair and rework on prototype and assembled boards.
- Replace damaged or defective ICs, capacitors, resistors, connectors, diodes, MOSFETs, regulators and other components.
- Perform pad / track repair and wire modifications where required.
- Use hot-air rework stations, soldering stations, preheaters / hot plates, microscopes and other rework equipment safely.
- Support R&D engineers during prototype modifications and design validation.
- Perform functional testing of electronic circuits and PCB assemblies according to test procedures.
- Conduct power-up testing, current-consumption measurements, load testing, communication testing and voltage / signal verification.
- Assist engineers in prototype validation and debugging.
- Record test results, observations, failures and corrective actions.
- Support environmental and reliability testing when required.
- Build and terminate cable harnesses, tethers and connector assemblies, including crimping, heat-shrink and sealing of waterproof / underwater connectors.
- Carry out potting, encapsulation and conformal coating of electronics as per process instructions.
- Integrate electronics into ROV sub-assemblies (pressure housings, thrusters, cameras, lights, sensors) and support system-level, tank and field trials.
- Work closely with hardware design engineers during prototype development and bring-up.
- Assist in PCB assembly and testing of new designs.
- Support engineering teams in troubleshooting field-returned or failed boards.
- Provide practical feedback on PCB assembly, solderability, component placement, accessibility and reworkability.
- Maintain proper documentation of modifications and rework performed on prototype boards.
- Maintain the lab inventory of components, consumables and tools; raise material requests and support BOM kitting with Stores.
- Keep the electronics lab organised and ESD-safe, and keep track of equipment calibration and maintenance.
- Follow quality procedures, using IPC workmanship standards as the reference for solder joint acceptance.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Diploma in Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Electrical or a related field.
- Experience: 1–3 years of hands-on experience in PCB assembly, soldering, electronics testing and hardware debugging preferred. Freshers with exceptional practical soldering and debugging skills may also be considered.
- Preferred Experience: Prototype PCBs and R&D hardware; fine-pitch SMD soldering and PCB rework; component-level fault diagnosis; debugging power electronics and communication interfaces.
- Industry Exposure: Marine electronics, robotics, ROVs, industrial electronics or embedded systems will be an added advantage.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent SMD and through-hole soldering, including fine-pitch ICs
- Strong PCB debugging and component-level fault-finding
- Good understanding of electronic components and their operation
- Reading and understanding schematics, PCB layouts and datasheets
- Working knowledge of digital and analog circuits, DC-DC converters and power supplies, microcontrollers and embedded hardware
- Interfaces: UART, RS232, RS485, I2C, SPI and Ethernet
- Connectors, protection circuits and power distribution
- Measurement of voltage, current, resistance, continuity and power
- Effective use of multimeter and oscilloscope for hardware debugging
- PCB inspection and rework techniques
- Cable harness making, crimping and connector termination
- ESD handling and electronic laboratory safety
- Soldering station, hot-air rework station, hot plate / preheater
- Digital multimeter, oscilloscope, LCR meter
- DC power supply, electronic load, function / signal generator, logic analyzer
- Microscope or magnifying inspection system
- Crimping tools, wire strippers and heat gun
- ESD-safe workstations and tools
- Potting / encapsulation and conformal coating
- Flashing firmware on microcontroller boards (Arduino / STM32)
- Safe handling of Li-ion battery packs, motors and ESCs
- Analytical and systematic approach to fault finding
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work independently on hardware failures
- Good documentation skills
- Ability to work effectively with R&D engineers; able to handle requests from multiple engineers
- Ownership and reliability
- Willingness to work on prototype and experimental hardware
- Willingness to support tank / field trials and occasional travel
- Strong safety and ESD awareness
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- First-pass yield of assembled PCBs and harnesses (defects caught at inspection / testing)
- Turnaround time for assembly, rework and debug requests vs agreed timelines
- Rework or failure rate attributable to workmanship
- Time-to-diagnose and fix rate for failed and field-returned boards
- Completeness and accuracy of test records, rework logs and modification documentation
- Lab inventory accuracy; no builds blocked by missed material requests
- Compliance with ESD and safety audits
- Assemble prototype PCBs with high-quality soldering
- Inspect PCBs and identify assembly defects
- Power up and safely test new hardware
- Debug hardware faults down to component level
- Perform SMD component replacement and PCB rework
- Use laboratory instruments to diagnose electrical and signal-level problems
- Document failures, modifications, test results and corrective actions
- Support engineers during prototype development and hardware validation
