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Electrical Test Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

You will work onsite with the production and engineering teams, operating and maintaining mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical test systems to validate product performance. Here's How You'll Make an ...

Test Electrical Engineer

Carson, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Experience operating standard test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, DMMs, power ... Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and interconnect drawings.

Posted today

Perform electrical and mechanical verification per IPC/WHMA-A-620 and customer requirements. * Ensure all test equipment is operated safely and remains within calibration requirements. First Article ...

Showing results 41-60

Electrical Test Operator information

What does an electrical test operator do?

An Electrical Test Operator is responsible for testing and inspecting electrical components, assemblies, or systems to ensure they meet quality and safety standards. They use specialized equipment to measure electrical properties such as voltage, current, and resistance, and document results. These operators often work in manufacturing or production environments and may also troubleshoot and repair electrical issues as needed. Their role is crucial in ensuring products function correctly before reaching customers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electrical test operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electrical Test Operator, you need a solid understanding of electrical principles, circuit testing, and troubleshooting, often supported by a technical diploma or associate degree in electronics or a related field. Proficiency with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and automated test systems, as well as familiarity with safety standards and quality control procedures, is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help you identify issues and collaborate with engineering teams. These competencies ensure accurate testing, adherence to safety protocols, and reliable operation of electrical components and systems.

What are some common challenges electrical test operators face when troubleshooting complex systems, and how can they effectively address them?

Electrical Test Operators often encounter challenges such as diagnosing intermittent faults, interpreting ambiguous test results, and working with evolving testing procedures or equipment. To address these, it's important to develop a systematic approach to troubleshooting, maintain thorough documentation, and stay up-to-date with the latest testing technologies and standards. Collaborating closely with engineers and production teams can also help resolve issues more efficiently and ensure product quality.

What is the difference between Electrical Test Operator vs Electrical Assembler?

AspectElectrical Test OperatorElectrical Assembler
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical certifications, safety trainingHigh school diploma, basic technical skills, safety training
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, manufacturing facilities, electrical testing stationsAssembly lines, manufacturing plants, electrical component assembly areas
Employer & Industry UsageElectronics, manufacturing, electrical equipment companiesElectronics, appliance manufacturing, electrical component production

Electrical Test Operators focus on testing and inspecting electrical systems and components to ensure quality and safety, often working in testing labs or manufacturing environments. Electrical Assemblers, on the other hand, are involved in assembling electrical parts and devices on production lines. While both roles require safety training and technical knowledge, Test Operators emphasize testing procedures, whereas Assemblers focus on building electrical products.

Infographic showing various Electrical Test Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Temporary, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Electrical Test / Systems Engineer

Archer

San Jose, CA โ€ข On-site

$126K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

At Archer's Product Realization Lab, we build the high-power electromechanical infrastructure that makes flight possible. From megawatt-scale dynamometers to complex electrical test stands, we own the full stack: integration, software, and controls.

We are seeking a Senior Electrical (Test) Systems Engineer to serve as the ultimate authority on system health. This isn't a "follow the manual" role. You'll be operating at the volatile intersection of high-voltage power and sensitive low-voltage instrumentation-a boundary where noise, grounding issues, and transients create real-world consequences. We need a battle-tested expert who has seen these systems fail in industry and knows exactly how to build them to last.

What you'll do:ย 

  • Build and maintain real-time test and control applications on NI cRIO, PXI, and DAQ using LabVIEW, VeriStand, and Python, with strong CAN bus integration and test automation experience
  • Interface with subsystems via CAN bus, EtherCAT, Modbus, TCP/IP, and related industrial communication protocols, from initial bring-up through fault diagnosis in deployed systems
  • Diagnose and resolve electrical faults in medium- to high-power test systems including voltage/current ripple, transient noise, EMI, and grounding failures, with full ownership of root-cause findings and mitigation recommendations
  • Lead grounding architecture reviews and remediation across the lab, with specific focus on how high-voltage ground faults cascade into low-voltage instrumentation systems
  • Set up and operate oscilloscopes, signal conditioning hardware, and bench instrumentation to characterize and isolate electrical anomalies in complex, integrated test environments
  • Own ongoing support of delivered test systems including software updates, bug fixes, new feature integration, and in-field troubleshooting to ensure systems remain reliable as configurations evolve
  • Support system bring-up, integration verification, and validation across hardware, controls, and software layers

What you need:

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent hands-on industry experience
  • Proven LabVIEW development on cRIO and PXI platforms - building and maintaining real-time applications, not just configuring existing ones
  • Hands-on experience with CAN bus, EtherCAT, Modbus, and TCP/IP in deployed, real-world systems
  • Python proficiency for test automation, data analysis, and tooling
  • Electrical background with hands-on grounding architecture, oscilloscope-based fault diagnosis, and signal conditioning in mixed high/low voltage environments
  • Experience with version control (Git) and structured software development practices

Bonus Qualifications:

  • NI Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) or Architect (CLA)
  • Experience in aerospace, EV powertrain, motor drive, or power electronics test environments
  • HIL or real-time validation experience (NI, dSPACE, Speedgoat, or equivalent)
  • Familiarity with NI SystemLink, DIAdem, or TestStand
  • Additional protocols: EtherNet/IP, LIN, RS-232/485
  • Electrical CAD tools (EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical)

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $126,700 - $158,400. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.