Photonics Lab Technician

Role: Photonics Lab Technician
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Pay Rate: $40 - 42/hr on C2C

Let’s create our future together at The AES Group!
About The AES Group
The AES Group is a premier technology and engineering consulting company that has been bringing businesses and talent together for over 20 years to deliver innovative solutions that have the greatest positive impact on society.
AES has helped over 40 business enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, engage their customers, empower their employees, and transform their business operations with the power of cloud, data, AI, engineering, and other emerging technologies.

Role Overview:
The AES Group INC is seeking an experienced Photonics Lab Technician / Engineering Lab Technician on a contract basis to support a leading technology organization in the development and validation of advanced datacenter systems and GPU-accelerated computing platforms.
You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to assemble, test, debug, validate, and maintain sophisticated system-level hardware and software.
Your work will contribute to ensuring high-quality GPU server products are ready for production and capable of meeting the demanding requirements of AI scientists and datacenter operators.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on technician who enjoys troubleshooting complex hardware, working with laboratory equipment, and learning new technologies.
You will gain valuable exposure to datacenter architecture, board bring-up, system validation, signal analysis, and AI computing environments.

Key Responsibilities:

System Assembly & Installation

• Assemble, configure, and install benchtop development platforms and large-scale server systems.
• Support hardware setup, system bring-up, component installation, and infrastructure preparation.
• Maintain development systems to ensure they remain ready for engineering testing and debug.

System Testing & Validation

• Execute system-level tests and document test results accurately.
• Collect, analyze, and report testing data to engineering teams.
• Screen modules, boards, and systems during validation and debug activities.
• Support engineering teams in identifying and isolating hardware and system-level issues.

Signal Measurement & Debug

• Set up laboratory test equipment for electrical signal measurements.
• Connect oscilloscope probes to boards and capture signal waveforms.
• Follow schematics and engineering documentation to support hardware troubleshooting and validation.

Board & Mechanical Rework

• Prepare circuit boards for detailed solder rework performed by qualified technicians.
• Perform basic solder rework when required.
• Complete mechanical modifications and rework using appropriate hand and power tools, including Dremel tools.
• Support rapid modifications to development systems, fixtures, and test setups.

Lab Operations & Logistics

• Manage laboratory equipment, materials, components, and inventory.
• Support shipping and receiving activities for laboratory hardware.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and efficient engineering lab environment.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, workflows, and equipment utilization.

Prototyping & 3D Printing

• Support rapid prototyping by producing plastic components using 3D printers.
• Assist engineers with modifications to fixtures, system setups, and laboratory hardware.

Required Qualifications:

• Diploma, technical certification, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in an electronics, hardware, or engineering test laboratory.
• Experience with silicon bring-up, board-level design/validation, or system design/validation.
• Fundamental understanding of computer architectures and hands-on hardware/software debugging.
• Experience configuring laboratory test equipment for signal measurement using oscilloscopes.
• Ability to read and follow electrical schematics and engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of Linux command-line operations.
• Strong system-level troubleshooting and debugging skills.
• Familiarity with board bring-up and hardware/customer support activities.
• Strong attention to detail with effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working independently while managing multiple engineering priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with BMCs and server management processors.
• Experience supporting thermal validation and thermal testing.
• Basic networking knowledge and hands-on server maintenance experience.
• Ability to perform basic soldering and solder rework.
• Experience with x86 and ARM architectures.
• Exposure to accelerated GPU computing, AI, or Deep Learning workloads.
• Familiarity with server hardware, datacenter infrastructure, or high-performance computing.
• Hands-on experience building, modifying, or troubleshooting electronics.
• A strong curiosity and passion for tinkering, prototyping, and solving complex technical problems.