Electrical Sustaining Engineer

Location: Golden, Colorado 80401 (On Site). Employment type: Full Time. Salary range: $80,000 to $120,000, commensurate with education, experience, and skills.

Vescent Technologies is a recognized leader in quantum technologies, covering both foundational elements such as laser frequency control, optical frequency combs, electro-optical modules, and feedback control electronics, as well as complete systems including advanced atomic clocks, time distribution, quantum computer control systems, and deployed quantum sensors. The environment is dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary, with a focus on delivering robust, cutting-edge solutions.

Position Overview

We are seeking an Electrical Sustaining Engineer to support the production of low-noise PCBA assemblies and electro-mechanical components used in precision optoelectronics, lasers, and state-of-the-art timing systems. You will partner with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to troubleshoot electrical issues, assist technicians during production, and drive design improvements through the Engineering Change Order process. Collaboration with contract manufacturers and suppliers will involve evaluating component availability, identifying substitutes for released designs, and supporting qualification of replacements under supply constraints. The ideal candidate combines solid circuit knowledge with practical hands-on troubleshooting and a practical grasp of electronics manufacturing processes. You will sustain released products, assist technicians with PCBAs debugging, develop testing processes, and address field and production issues while ensuring compliance with relevant electrical and regulatory standards. This role requires a proactive engineer who can bridge engineering and production while continually enhancing product robustness and manufacturing efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical integrity of released electronic designs to ensure manufacturability, component availability, and long-term reliability.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to production technicians by diagnosing electrical issues on PCBAs and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Analyze complex electrical failures using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, DMMs, and other lab tools to determine root causes at component, circuit, or system levels.
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers to review production issues, assess component availability, and supply substitution information.
• Qualify and validate substitute components through electrical evaluation, risk assessment, and documentation updates to maintain product specifications and regulatory compliance.
• Design test fixtures and test stations for PCBAs and other subsystems.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to create and sustain efficient, automated test processes.
• Investigate and resolve manufacturing and field failures, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve reliability and yield.
• Analyze production data and failure trends to identify systemic issues and drive improvements in reliability, manufacturability, and yield.
• Interface with design engineering teams to communicate production findings and recommend design improvements to enhance robustness and manufacturability.
• Contribute to design reviews with emphasis on testability of manufacturing processes.
• Implement and manage Engineering Change Orders to address design enhancements, obsolescence, and manufacturability issues in released products.
• Train and support production staff in the proper use of test fixtures, tooling, equipment, and software/scripts.
• Support regulatory testing to ensure products meet applicable standards such as RoHS, EMC/EMI, and Product Safety.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience in electronic hardware, including troubleshooting and sustaining support for PCBAs in manufacturing or product development settings.
• Proven ability to read and interpret circuit schematics, BOMs, assembly drawings, and related technical documents for complex electronic systems.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers.
• Hands-on experience debugging mixed-signal or analog PCBAs using oscilloscopes and other laboratory instrumentation to identify component or circuit-level issues.
• Proficiency in Python, including interfacing with test equipment via VISA and using software tools for test automation and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of analog and mixed-signal circuit fundamentals.
• Basic soldering and rework skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to document troubleshooting steps, root-cause analyses, and engineering changes clearly.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with ECAD software, preferably Altium.
• Familiarity with IPC standards such as IPC-A-600 and IPC-2221F.
• Understanding of EN 61326 and EN 61010F compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of EMC/EMI compliance best practices.
• Experience working with high-density PCBs, including low-noise and high-speed analog/mixed-signal designs.
• Familiarity with low-noise and RF electronics design principles.
• Experience maintaining shared PCB libraries and components within a team environment.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance.
• Four weeks of paid time off per year.
• Seven company paid holidays plus one floating holiday.
• 401(k) plan with employer contributions.
• Health and dental insurance options, including employer-paid premium coverage in some plans.
• Health Savings Account with employer matching where eligible.
• Incentive Stock Option program.
• Long-term disability insurance.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter to [email protected]. Your cover letter should explain how your skills and experience align with the job description and why you are interested in Vescent. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.