Reliability Lab Technician

Job Description:

Job Description:

We are seeking a hands-on Lab Technician to support reliability, validation, and failure analysis testing of electro-mechanical and electronic products used in harsh outdoor environments including high-voltage power electronics and energy systems. This role is critical to day-to-day lab operations and execution of testing on electrical assemblies, PCBAs, enclosures, motors, and mechanical components.

The ideal candidate enjoys working directly with hardware, troubleshooting issues at the bench, and keeping a lab running smoothly. This role will involve working directly with high-voltage DC systems, power conversion hardware, and energy storage components, requiring strong attention to safety, test discipline, and troubleshooting skills.

Core functions:

Hands-On Testing & Execution

• Set up, execute, and monitor reliability and validation tests on electrical assemblies, PCBAs, batteries, motors, and mechanical components and high-voltage power electronic assemblies.
• Support environmental, electrical, and mechanical tests such as thermal cycling, damp heat, vibration, and operational cycling
• Instrument high-voltage test articles with voltage, current, temperature, and power measurement sensors
• Assist engineers with accelerated life tests, stress testing, and design verification activities

Troubleshooting & Failure Support

• Perform basic to intermediate troubleshooting of electrical circuits, wiring, connectors, and mechanical assemblies
• Troubleshoot high-voltage power electronics issues including abnormal waveforms, thermal behavior, protection trips, and intermittent electrical faults
• Assist with teardown, inspection, and documentation of failed units
• Support root cause investigations by gathering data, photos, measurements, and test evidence

Lab Equipment & Infrastructure

• Set up and configure lab instruments including power supplies, electronic loads, multimeters, oscilloscopes, data loggers, environmental chambers, high-voltage power supplies, and high-power electronic loads
• Safely configure and operate test setups involving elevated voltages and power levels, following defined lockout, grounding, and discharge procedures
• Maintain lab equipment, fixtures, and test setups; identify calibration or maintenance needs
• Build and maintain test fixtures, cables, HV-rated wiring and simple mechanical or electrical rigs

Data & Documentation

• Collect test data and ensure proper logging of results, anomalies, and observations
• Capture electrical measurements such as voltage, current, ripple, transient behavior, and thermal response during high-voltage testing
• Maintain clear test records, setup documentation, and lab notebooks
• Assist with organization of samples, test articles, and lab inventory

Safety & Organization

• Follow electrical and lab safety procedures, with specific emphasis on high-voltage and high-energy systems
• Use appropriate PPE and adhere to lockout/tagout, grounding, and discharge practices for high-voltage equipment
• Keep lab spaces organized, clean, and compliant with safety and operational standards

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in electronics, electrical, or mechanical fields
• 8+ years of experience working in a hardware lab, test lab, manufacturing, or validation environment
• Hands-on experience with electrical assemblies, connectors, wiring, and basic mechanical components
• Comfortable using lab equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, electronic loads, and high-voltage measurement equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work safely around high-voltage or high-power electrical systems
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to build, modify, and troubleshoot test setups

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting reliability, validation, or qualification testing
• Experience with power electronics, DC-DC converters, inverters, or battery-based energy systems
• Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal chambers, humidity, vibration)
• Basic understanding of PCBAs, batteries, motors, or power electronics
• Experience working with outdoor-rated or industrial hardware
• Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower's benefits please view our company website at

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The hourly range for this position is 36.05/hr to 43.26/hr. (Applicable to California)

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology…