Hardware Engineering and R&D - Lab Technician, Hardware

Job#: 3021447 Job Description

Lab Engineer/Technician 4 – 100% ONSITE in Redmond, WA – $55 - $67/hr (dependent on experience), 12+ month contract.

This onsite lab technician/engineer role supports the development of custom compute and AI hardware for data centers by performing hands‑on electrical measurements on pre‑production systems. The position involves preparing and assembling hardware, executing VNA and oscilloscope measurements, performing soldering and rework as needed, and summarizing data to support hardware validation and manufacturing readiness.

• Support development of custom compute and AI hardware for data centers.
• Contribute to taking hands‑on measurements of pre‑production engineering samples of hardware to drive development and readiness for manufacturing.
• Work in the lab collecting VNA and/or scope data.
• Prepare systems for measurement.
• Perform some soldering/rework as required.
• Summarize data.

What makes this role interesting? – Opportunity to work onsite in a large lab, helping develop hardware that is very important for data centers.

• Years of Experience
  
  Required:
  
  8‑10 overall years of experience in the field.
• Degrees or certifications required:
  No degree required; a technical degree in electronics would be a plus.
• Disqualifiers:
  Must be able to come onsite 5 days/week during normal business hours.
• Best vs. Average:
  Ideal resume includes prior experience in hardware labs, taking and executing VNA and/or scope measurements on test boards and engineering validation boards for interconnect performance, reworking systems in the lab, and data‑center experience.
• Performance Indicators:
  Quality of work, daily presence, and ability to take and implement feedback.

• Minimum 7 years as a lab technician.
• Minimum 7 years taking electrical measurements for hardware.
• Minimum 7 years reworking/assembling/soldering hardware.
• Candidate should be prepared to discuss past measurement experience and process.

• Execute VNA measurements on test boards and engineering validation boards for interconnect performance validation.
• Assemble systems or test fixtures as needed to prepare for measurements.
• Add instrumentation to devices/boards under test for high‑precision measurements.
• Perform soldering to prepare boards for measurement.

• Previous work experience as an Engineering Technician.
• Experience making electrical measurements on circuit boards (oscilloscope, TDR, VNA).
• Experience assembling computer systems or complex electrical systems.
• Experience soldering and unsoldering components on circuit boards.

• Direct experience making VNA measurements for high‑speed interconnect performance.
• Familiarity with high‑speed interconnects in data‑center platforms (PCIe, DDR, etc.).
• Experience assembling data‑center platforms (installing boards into chassis, attaching cables, heatsinks, fans).

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 8‑10 years experience required.

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, ESPP, 401(k), support programs, and professional development including on‑demand training and certification discounts. For a full list, see the Welcome Packet.

Address: 4400 Cox Road, Suite 200, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
Phone: 844‑463‑6178 (Recruiting) | 804‑523‑8228 (Benefits)