Engineering Technician III
Sierra Nevada Corporation · Folsom, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Sierra Nevada Corporation (aerospace & defense) in Folsom, CA. Lead the assembly and construction of complex electronic, mechanical, and optical systems.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- AutoCAD
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $115k–$169k.
Median of the low and high ends of 126 live postings that list pay, out of 346 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 345 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$159k, from 113 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 51%
- New product launch 49%
- Root cause 39%
- Automation 36%
- CATIA / NX 27%
- Machining 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Sierra Nevada Corporation
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Sierra Nevada CorporationAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead the assembly and construction of complex electronic, mechanical, and optical systems.
- ◆Perform and oversee advanced troubleshooting and repairs on equipment.
- ◆Conduct precise calibration and testing of devices.
- ◆Analyze and interpret test results, providing detailed reports and recommendations.
- ◆Mentor and train junior technicians.
- ◆Collaborate with engineers on research and development projects.
- ◆Develop and implement safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
- ◆Troubleshoot circuit card assemblies to the failed component or circuit.
You Must Have
- ✓Associate's degree in an electronics related field of study.
- ✓3+ years of experience as a technician or in a related field.
- ✓Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 5 years of related experience is required.
- ✓Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
- ✓Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical drawings, diagrams, schematics, and manuals.
- ✓Ability to work with standard laboratory test equipment, other measurement equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
- ✓Advanced proficiency in troubleshooting and maintaining complex systems.
- ✓Ability to work with standard electronics laboratory test equipment including signal generators, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers
- ✓Ability to troubleshoot RF and Digital circuitry down to the component level. .
Essential Functions
- ◆Ability to lift up to 30 lbs regularly.
- ◆Ability to be on your feet for much of the work shift.
- ◆Dexterity to handle and assemble small components.
- ◆Occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and loud environments.
- ◆Ability to travel as required.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Are you looking for a challenging opportunity that leverages your advanced technical expertise? Come join our team! The Engineering Technician III is responsible for complex technical tasks, including advanced construction, troubleshooting, calibration, and maintenance of sophisticated electronic, mechanical, and optical systems. This role involves leading project teams and providing technical expertise to ensure operational excellence.
The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.
We Prefer
- •Previous experience and/or certifications within the aerospace and defense industry.
- •Previous experience in a manufacturing environment.
- •Experience with AutoCAD or other 3-D CAD software.
- •Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field.
- •Extensive experience with research and development projects.
- •Proven leadership experience in a technical environment.
- •Ability to understand, use, and provide training on electronics assemblies and operation
- •Experience with electrical schematic capture software
- •Experience with IR and Hot Air soldering reflow techniques for SMD components.
- •IPC-J-STD-001 Soldering Certification
- •IPC-A-610 Soldering Certification
Important notice
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.
Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!