Apprentice Instrumentation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Resources and Operations and receiving work lead direction from the Chair of the Chemistry Department, the Electronic Technician provides specialized technical support for teaching and research programs within the College of Science (CoS). This role works independently to design, fabricate, install, maintain, and repair sophisticated scientific instrumentation. The incumbent collaborates with faculty and staff to assess equipment needs and ensure the reliability and performance of complex laboratory systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, install, maintain, and repair advanced scientific instrumentation
• Troubleshoot and service specialized equipment such as NMR, GC-MS, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometers, and centrifuges
• Support teaching and research activities by ensuring equipment is fully operational
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving electronic, mechanical, optical, vacuum, and hydraulic systems
• Maintain inventory of spare parts and coordinate with vendors for equipment support
• Develop and manage service schedules and maintain accurate maintenance records
• Collaborate with faculty, department chairs, and staff to identify and meet equipment needs
• Provide guidance and training to staff or student assistants as needed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Ability to use good judgment with regard to technical decisions, estimates of need, allocation of resources, scheduling of service, and supervising and directing the CoS and Chemistry Department Electronics staff, and coordinating the service shops to meet the requirements of the instructional programs
• Ability to be able to work with both computer hardware and software interfacing with instrumentation is essential
• Ability to troubleshoot instrument problems. The incumbent also will be expected to take the initiative to learn how to operate and repair unique, complex and specialized devices
• Ability to understand the basic concepts of physics and mathematics, and have knowledge and experience in digital electronics, specifically with respect to logic trouble-shooting, system design software programming and hardware
• Ability to maintain an inventory of spare components for all electronic instruments, test equipment, and electronic teaching aids used within the College, to work with vendors to obtain quotes and information about specific instrumentation and to prepare and manage a budget for the Instruments Service Area with an accurate accounting of expenditures
• Ability to train and supervise others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in a diverse multicultural environment

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to two (2) years of journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair, and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned such as mechanical, electromechanical, electronics or in the specialized category including construction and fabrication and some precision work or requiring trade or craft skills working with a variety of unique materials or equivalent to two years of semiskilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related experience in the type of equipment to which assigned as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience or equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned, completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair for one year of the required experience. A Federal Communications Commission license is required for some positions

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS Chemistry
• Experience working with/repairing gas chromatographs, NMRs, FT-IRs, mass spectrometers, vacuum equipment and/or other chemistry instrumentation

Compensation

Classification: Equipment Technician II, Electro-Mechanical
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,944/month - $6,434/month (Step 14 - Step 18)
CSU Salary Range: $4,595/month - $6,694/month (Step 1 - Step 20)
San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: March 27, 2026 through April 12, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.