Position Overview
Palomar Technologies’ Advanced Solutions Division (ASD) provides high-mix engineering services, process development, prototyping, contract manufacturing, training, and process optimization for microelectronics, semiconductor packaging, photonics, medical, aerospace, defense, and advanced technology customers.
The Engineering Technician supports ASD by executing routine and semi-complex assembly, inspection, and metrology work in a cleanroom/lab environment. This role is intended for a highly detail-oriented technician who is comfortable following engineering direction, working with limited documentation, communicating issues clearly, and supporting customer projects with a high degree of care and consistency.
This is a hands-on technician role focused on assembly execution, metrology, inspection, documentation, and engineering support. It is not intended as an entry-level engineering position or a transitional role into process engineering. The ideal candidate is someone who takes pride in precise, repeatable technical work and is comfortable supporting engineers while also owning routine jobs or defined production tasks independently.
Key Responsibilities
Routine Assembly & Process Execution
- Execute routine and semi-complex microelectronics assembly processes under engineering direction.
- Support processes such as:
- Die attach
- Wire bonding
- Pick-and-place assembly
- Adhesive dispense and cure
- Manual assembly
- Inspection and rework where appropriate
- Follow engineer-provided process instructions, travelers, work instructions, and verbal/written direction.
- Execute process changes or adjustments as directed by engineers.
- Support incremental development and low-volume production builds.
Metrology & Inspection
- Perform visual inspection and dimensional verification using tools such as:
- Keyence VHX
- Microscopes
- Optical inspection systems
- Other lab metrology tools as assigned
- Inspect assemblies for defects, alignment, bond quality, contamination, damage, and other customer-relevant concerns.
- Capture clear images and inspection data to support engineering review, customer documentation, and quality records.
- Document inspection results accurately and escalate questionable findings.
Equipment Operation
- Operate routine die attach and/or wire bond equipment with appropriate training.
- Set up and run established programs or processes when instructions are available.
- Verify tooling, materials, and set up conditions before running jobs.
- Identify abnormal equipment behavior, process drift, or quality concerns and escalate promptly.
- Assist engineers with equipment setup, process validation, and troubleshooting activities.
Job Ownership & Engineering Support
- Own routine jobs or defined process steps from setup through completion when assigned.
- Support engineers on more complex development projects by preparing materials, executing repeatable steps, collecting data, and documenting observations.
- Maintain awareness of job priorities, customer requirements, and schedule needs.
- Communicate progress, delays, risks, and abnormalities clearly to engineers and management.
- Help ensure routine work is completed accurately, consistently, and on time.
Documentation & Communication
- Record work performed, inspection results, images, measurements, and observations in the appropriate project folders or systems.
- Maintain clear notes on process conditions, deviations, and issues encountered.
- Raise flags immediately when abnormalities, uncertainty, or quality concerns are observed.
- Communicate using structured issue-reporting practices
- Participate in project updates and team communication as needed.
Lab Discipline & Teamwork
- Maintain cleanroom and lab organization standards.
- Handle customer materials carefully and follow ESD, contamination control, and special handling requirements.
- Support engineers, production leads, operators, and other technicians as needed.
- Contribute positively to team culture through reliability, professionalism, and collaboration.
- Take ownership of work quality while remaining open to feedback and instruction.
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of hands-on technical experience in microelectronics assembly, semiconductor packaging, electronics manufacturing, precision assembly, photonics assembly, medical device assembly, aerospace electronics, or a similar high-reliability environment.
- Experience performing detailed manual assembly, inspection, or metrology work.
- Comfortable working under microscopes and handling small, delicate components.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Ability to work independently on defined tasks while escalating issues appropriately.
- Strong communication skills and willingness to raise flags when abnormalities are observed.
- Comfortable working in a cleanroom, lab, or controlled manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience operating die attach, wire bond, pick-and-place, dispense, or related semiconductor back-end assembly equipment.
- Experience with visual inspection/metrology tools such as Keyence VHX, Nikon systems, microscopes, optical comparators, or similar equipment.
- Familiarity with:
- Die attach processes
- Wire bonding processes
- Adhesive dispense and cure
- ESD handling
- Cleanroom practices
- Customer-supplied material handling
- Experience supporting engineers in process development or low-volume production.
- Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing or engineering services environments.
- Ability to work from limited documentation while asking appropriate questions and documenting gaps.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, travelers, work instructions, inspection records, or quality documentation.
Key Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong attention to detail
- Careful handling of high-value customer materials
- Consistent execution of routine and semi-complex processes
- Strong visual inspection and metrology discipline
- Clear and timely communication
- Willingness to raise issues early
- Ability to follow engineering direction precisely
- Comfort working independently on defined tasks
- Strong teamwork and professional behavior
- Pride in technician-level craftsmanship and repeatability
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 6–12 months, the successful Engineering Technician will:
- Execute routine assembly and inspection tasks with limited supervision.
- Reliably support engineers on development and production work.
- Operate assigned die attach, wire bond, or metrology equipment safely and correctly.
- Provide clear issue reports when abnormalities occur.
- Reduce engineering burden by taking ownership of routine but detail-sensitive work.
- Maintain strong documentation, images, measurements, and inspection records.
- Demonstrate consistent quality, professionalism, and teamwork in ASD’s fast-paced environment.
If you are interested in this position, please email HR at resumes@bonders.com.