Technician (Detector and Electronics)
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Build, test, and characterize the detector and electronics subsystems that give Azora's receivers their edge. You will work hands-on with sensitive photodetectors, low-noise electronics, and flight avionics – from board-level assembly and rework through subsystem characterization and environmental test.
Responsibilities
Assemble, modify, and rework electronic hardware to aerospace standards: soldering (including fine-pitch SMT), cable and harness fabrication, and connector assembly.
Integrate and handle sensitive optical detectors (APDs, SPADs, PIN photodiodes, cameras and focal planes; potentially cryogenic detectors), including bias-up and safe-handling procedures.
Run detector and receiver characterization: dark current/counts, responsivity, noise, bandwidth, and sensitivity measurements using calibrated optical sources.
Build and operate automated test setups (Python-driven instrument control a plus) and record results with full traceability.
Support board bring-up and debug alongside electrical engineers: continuity checks, power-up sequencing, signal probing, and failure analysis.
Support environmental and EMC test campaigns for electronics assemblies, including instrumentation and data collection.
Maintain ESD-safe work areas, calibration records, and inventory of flight and EEE parts, including lot traceability.
Required Qualifications
3+ years as an electronics technician, including work on space flight, defense, or other high-reliability electronics.
Certified or certifiable to J-STD-001 / NASA-STD-8739 soldering and harness workmanship standards.
Skilled with standard bench equipment: DMMs, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators.
Experience with ESD controls and handling of sensitive components.
Ability to follow and red-line detailed test procedures and document anomalies clearly.
Preferred
Experience with photodetectors, photomultipliers, cameras, or other low-light sensors.
Familiarity with low-noise measurement practices, RF/microwave test equipment, or fiber-coupled optical test setups.
Basic scripting for test automation (Python, LabVIEW).
Experience with cryogenic systems or vacuum hardware.
Location
This is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.
Benefits:
Generous equity
Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)
401(k)
Unlimited PTO
EEO & Reasonable Accommodations
Azora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting info@azora.space
Export Control
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Salary ranges are based on the following criteria:
Final salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.
About this Company
Azora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.