Job Description

Senior Development Technician at Picarro Santa Clara, CA

The Opportunity

Picarro is seeking a hands-on and detail-oriented Development Technician to support the development of our next-generation spectroscopy platforms and gas measurement products. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with complex systems, assembling precision instruments, and collaborating closely with engineers to bring innovative designs to life.

As a Development Technician, you will be part of a world-class team working with cutting-edge technologies such as Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) and broadband lasers. You’ll play a key role in building, testing, and refining prototypes and pilot systems, helping to ensure our products meet the highest standards of performance and reliability.

This position reports to the Director of Opto-Mechanical Engineering.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technician who thrives on solving problems, learning new skills, and contributing to the development of high-performance systems. You’ll be the first to assemble new designs, identify and troubleshoot issues, and work closely with engineers to improve processes and product quality. You’re curious, adaptable, and eager to grow your expertise in optics, mechanics, electronics, and spectroscopy.

Key Responsibilities

· Assemble and test new electro-optomechanical systems and prototypes.

· Follow and help refine assembly procedures for new designs.

· Support engineering pilot builds and assist in transferring products to manufacturing.

· Set up and operate tooling stations; assist in developing and documenting new tools and processes.

· Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.

· Maintain detailed records of builds, tests, and process improvements.

· Train other technicians on new procedures and tools.

Technical Skills and Expertise

· Assembly & Troubleshooting: Skilled in assembling precision systems and identifying issues during build and test phases.

· Optical Components: Familiarity with or willingness to learn about lasers, detectors, isolators, and coated optics.

· Mechanical Precision: Comfortable working with tight mechanical tolerances and alignment processes.

· Attachment Techniques: Exposure to or interest in learning UV/thermal epoxies, soldering, and laser welding.

· Testing & Reliability: Assist in reliability testing and reporting; support mitigation efforts.

· Tooling & Process Development: Participate in the setup and improvement of tooling and assembly processes.

· Documentation: Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining accurate and thorough documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

· Associate’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Mechanical Technology, Electronics, Optics) or equivalent hands-on experience.

· 5+ years of experience in a technician role, preferably in a development or manufacturing environment.

· Basic understanding of optics, mechanics, electronics, and software systems.

· Experience using hand tools, measurement instruments, and assembly equipment.

· Strong communication and teamwork skills.

· Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

· Passion for working at the intersection of research and product development.

· Experience supporting engineering teams in prototype builds and process development.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $55K to $75K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.