Engineering Technician

Company Overview:
Second Order Effects (SOE) is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in electrical, electromechanical, and embedded systems. Founded in 2016, SOE has grown from a 3-person operation to a team of over 50 members across offices in El Segundo, California and Redmond, Washington. Over the last nine years, we have completed over 250 projects and serviced over 100 different customers. Our designs control rocket engines, manage satellite communications, instrument fusion reactors, and are enjoyed by consumers around the world. The only thing we won’t build are weapons.

Second Order Effects practices a “first principles approach” to technical problems. We break down complex challenges to their most fundamental components. This enables us to find solutions across industries, use cases, and engineering functions.

As an engineering consulting firm, we focus on solving the right problems and building teams to take them on. Going beyond just resolving tough issues, we want to answer impactful questions.

How do we do this? We empower others, build the right thing, lead with curiosity, and own the outcome. Learn more at soeffects.com!

Job Overview:
As an Engineering Technician, you will partner with engineering teams to design and prototype innovation solutions, subsequently bridging the gap between engineering and hands-on execution. In this role, you will work on a variety of projects, including prototyping, low volume production, modifying designs, and testing. The execution of SOE projects often need to be learned, invented, and executed on the spot, so you must have tenacious analytical problem-solving skills and a passion for taking ownership of tasks and carrying them through project completion. Your experience will help to build out our capabilities through mentoring and creating process improvements.

What You Will Do:

• Translate detailed technical specifications into manufacturable hardware and scalable processes

• Support the full product lifecycle from New Product Introduction (NPI) through Final Assembly Test and Pack Out (FATP), including bring-up activities and production scaling

• Inspect, solder, and assemble PCBAs, wiring harnesses, electro-mechanical, systems, and electronic components, ensuring compliance with quality and traceability requirements

• Conduct quality control inspections, create manufacturing documentation, and manage material tracking systems, logistics, and inventory flow

• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment (tools, oscilloscopes, power supplies, E-loads, etc.) while cultivating safe work practices

• Perform secondary operations, reworks, and repairs as needed

What You Will Need:

• High school diploma or GED with:

• Some application of technical skills outside of the classroom (examples: laboratory, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects, or internships)

• Associate's/Bachelor's Degree or Trade School certification

• OR 5+ years of experience in a professional or Military technical role (please submit Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) document if this applies to you)

• Expertise with testing electronic systems and familiarity with environmental test systems

• Experience with soldering surface mount (SMT) and through hole components down to 0201 package size

• Proficiency in constructing flight quality wire harnesses

• Ability to read, understand, and edit technical drawings & reports and identify trends in failure modes

• Proficiency in creating process, technical instructions, and documentation for engineering systems

• Experience with manufacturing processes (e.g., PCB fabrication, PCBA manufacturing, machining, conformal coat, etc.)

What Would Be Useful:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM field with experience applying skills outside of the classroom and equivalent technical certifications (IPC CID, CID+)

• Understanding of cross-disciplinary engineering interactions (Hardware, Mechanical, Firmware, Software) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM/DFA) principles

• Experience with automated test systems, qualification testing for aerospace/automotive industries, and advanced manufacturing processes

• Knowledge of quality management systems (ISO 9001, AS9100), lean manufacturing, and statistical process control

• Familiarity with export control regulations, industry standards (MIL-STD, DO-160), and ERP/MES systems

Benefits

• Compensation range of $70,490-$97,110 + equity incentive plan

• Flexible work hours and work from home policy

• 100% employer-paid health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employees + 50% dependent coverage

• Unlimited paid time off policy, 11x paid company holidays, 12x paid sick days

• 401(k) retirement account and employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%)

• Generous paid parental leave

• Relocation assistance available if 50+ miles away from the office

• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging ports

• Daily catered lunches, snacks, and accessible kitchen

Additional Requirements

• Applicant must be willing to work 40 hours a week on-site in El Segundo, California, USA

• Applicant must be eligible to work on export controlled projects

• Job Type: Full-time (Salary)

Export Control Requirements:

• To conform with U.S. Government export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Second Order Effects is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SOE is governed on the basis of excellence and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.