Entry Level Screen Printing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Thick Film Printer Technician – Level 1

Full Time + Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with Company Match, PTO)

Job Type: Onsite 

Hourly Range: $20.00 - $25.00, DOE 

Shift: 1st

Location: Poway, CA 

Fralock is an engineered solutions provider of specialty components and subassemblies using advanced materials for high reliability, severe environment, and technically challenging applications. We develop and manufacture custom integrated solutions. Established in 1967, we are a critical solutions provider to Fortune 500 corporations, government, and targeted OEMs in a variety of industries including Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing, Medical and Life Science, Aerospace and Defense, Industrial, Electronics, and Energy. Fralock is headquartered in Valencia, CA with manufacturing locations located throughout Northern and Southern California.

VISION

To be recognized by our customers as a leading solutions provider of proprietary engineered advanced materials for high reliability, severe environment, and technically challenging applications.

MISSION

To create value, profitably grow, and share our success with all stakeholders.

CULTURE

• Respect – We treat others the way they want to be treated.
• Integrity – We practice a high standard of ethics in our business dealings with customers, suppliers and employees.
• Responsiveness – We have a sense of urgency in responding to internal and external requests and work proactively to solve problems.
• Excellence/Competence – We empower our people to continuously improve and execute high quality work.
• Teamwork – We work together to achieve Fralock business objectives by communicating at a high level, by listening and having clarity in our expectations of one another. 
• Individual Accountability and Personal Responsibility – We do what we have committed to do when we committed to doing it.

• Continuous Improvement across all segments of the company

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the successful candidate must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR (which generally means (i) be a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) be a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (iii) have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, or have been granted asylum, as specified under applicable law.

Main Functions

We are seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Thick Film Printer Technician - Level 1 to join our growing technical manufacturing team. In this entry-level role, you will work closely with senior technicians and production staff to perform routine printer operations, material staging, and basic preventative maintenance tasks.

This is a hands-on opportunity to build your technical skills in precision screen printing, support daily manufacturing output, and contribute to a clean, safe, and efficient production environment.

Key Responsibilities  

• Routine Operation & Staging: Assist with basic machine loading, substrate staging, and operating semi-automated thick film screen printers under direct supervision.
• Material Preparation & Handling: Prepare, mix, and stage conductive/resistive Inks following strict recipes; assist with screen cleaning, reclamation, and proper storage.
• Basic Inspection & Quality Support: Perform visual inspections of printed substrates under magnification to check for obvious flaws, smearing, or misalignments, reporting defects immediatelyt o senior staff.
• Preventative Maintenance & Support: Perform scheduled basic housekeeping and routine preventative maintenance tasks on printing platforms and cleanroom equipment.
• Documentation & Yield Tracking: Accurately log production counts, lot numbers, traveler sign-offs, and scrap data into the manufacturing execution system (MES) or ERP platform.
• Continuous Improvement & S: Participate in plant 5S, cleanroom housekeeping, and Lean manufacturing initiatives to keep the print area organized, safe, and contamination-free.
• Safety & Compliance: Strictly comply with all safety rules, chemical handling guidelines, ESD (electrostatic discharge) protocols, cleanroom regulations, and proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage.

Required Skills

• Technical Expertise:

• Foundational mechanical aptitude and familiarity with precision hand tools and inspection instruments.
• Willingness and capability to learn how to read process travelers, engineering blueprints, and equipment operating manuals.
• Basic understanding of cleanroom protocols, contamination control, and handling delicate microelectronic substrates.
• Eagerness to develop foundational knowledge of paste rheology, screen mechanics, and printing parameters.

• Core Competencies:

• High level of enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and strong willingness to receive constructive feedback and mentorship.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills for interacting effectively with peers and production operators.
• Strict dedication to workplace safety rules, chemical handling standards, and maintaining a clean, orderly work environment.

Education Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required. Coursework or vocational training in electronics, manufacturing technology, or a related field is a strong plus.

Experience Requirements

• 0 to 2 years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing, cleanroom, or precision assembly environment, or an equivalent combination of technical education and aptitude.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and comfort working with delicate parts and precision machinery.
• Willingness to learn optical microscope inspection techniques and measurement tools.
• Eagerness to develop operational competence on thick film screen printing systems.
• Basic comfort using computers, touchscreens, and manufacturing software to log data and check production schedules.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for long periods, perform repetitive fine-motor tasks, use precision microscopes, and lift up to 30 lbs. regularly. Flexibility to work assigned shifts and occasional overtime as required