Lead Manufacturing Technician
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Fremont, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at Thermo Fisher Scientific (pharma & life sciences) in Fremont, CA.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, FDA / GMP, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 134 manufacturing technician 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 100 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (4+ vs 5+)
Typical $84k–$121k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 40%
- Tooling 34%
- CNC 31%
- Machining 30%
- ✓ Lean 22%
- New product launch 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, EHS / safety, 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific
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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Thermo Fisher ScientificAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Responsible for set-up, testing, and packing of final product.
Responsible for testing final products for functionality or quality.
Identify and tackle problems with equipment, devices or products.
Plans and lays out work to meet production and schedule requirements.
Demonstrate understanding of function and application of product.
Help guide and train other manufacturing technicians
Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
Ensure that quality standards are met.
Job
Requirements
HS Diploma or Equivalent Education, AS Degree in Electronics or Technology preferred
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Work Schedule
First Shift (Days)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Position Description
Working with the Manufacturing Team Leader, the Lead Manufacturing Technician is responsible for assembling, inspecting, identifying and resolving issues in sophisticated electro-mechanical assemblies. The ideal candidate will have Electrical, Mechanical, Pneumatic assembly experience, excellent interpersonal skills and be proficient in reading and understanding wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, and assembly instructions.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the manufacturing, preparation, testing, and quality of mechanical and electrical products sold by Thermo Fisher Scientific EFA Fremont, CA Division.
Shift: Mon - Fri 6 am - 2:30 pm
Pay: $36 - $38
Primary
Desired Skills
Have appropriate visual acuity and hand/eye coordination to assemble, manipulate, and test small, precision electronic units and mechanical assemblies.
Proficient with standard electronic assembly and testing equipment including, but not limited to soldering irons, multimeters, crimp tools, torque tools, etc.
Expertise using complex wiring schematics and assembly diagrams to diagnose and resolve functionality or performance issues with final product.
Proven experience assembling, testing, and resolving problems in sophisticated electrical and mechanical components and systems.
Familiar with quality management systems and safety programs.
Excellent presentation, verbal and written communications skills.
Basic computer proficiency and experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Experience in a regulated production environment; specifically following standard operating procedures and manufacturing schedules.
Strong work ethic and interpersonal skills
Great teammate, able to work effectively with others,
Fluently speak, read, and write English
Capable of lifting 35 pounds unassisted
Capable of performing tasks while sitting, standing, or kneeling for periods of time
The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $36.00–$39.77.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- +A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
- +Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
- +At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
- +Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
- +Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
