Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7543
Printed circuit board test technician
Printed circuit board test technicians inspect and test printed circuit boards. They perform a range of printed circuit board testing procedures and may perform minor repairs.
Check yourself in a minute: printed circuit board test technician
Rate 5 of the 25 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
interpret circuit diagrams
process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006
inspect quality of products
measure electrical characteristics
perform in-circuit test
About printed circuit board test technician
As a printed circuit board (PCB) test technician, you will be at the frontline of quality assurance in electronics manufacturing, responsible for ensuring that every circuit board meets rigorous performance standards before it reaches customers. Your daily work involves performing comprehensive testing procedures using specialized equipment, identifying defects such as solder faults or component failures, and conducting repairs when necessary. You will interpret technical drawings, read circuit diagrams, and use in-circuit testing methods to verify that boards function correctly and safely.
Your role is essential to the electronics industry because even minor defects in circuit boards can compromise product reliability and pose safety risks. You will meticulously document test results, communicate findings to manufacturing teams, and ensure compliance with international regulations including the REACH Regulation. As you develop expertise, you may progress to lead testing technician positions, quality engineering roles, or move into product engineering and design verification.
Poland's electronics sector is growing rapidly, with significant manufacturing capacity and exports. Test technicians with strong technical skills and attention to detail are in steady demand, particularly in companies serving automotive, telecommunications, and industrial automation markets.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a printed circuit board test technician.
1
Printed Circuit Board Testing
- Set up and operate in-circuit test equipment to verify board functionality
- Perform comprehensive testing procedures following established protocols and standards
- Conduct test runs and verify electrical characteristics of components and connections
- Test boards for defects including solder failures, open circuits, and short circuits
2
Defect Detection and Repair
- Identify and document solder defects, component placement errors, and connection failures
- Troubleshoot circuit board issues using diagnostic techniques and testing equipment
- Perform minor repairs on circuit boards including solder rework and component replacement
- Check for quality issues and ensure products meet customer specifications
3
Technical Documentation and Analysis
- Read and interpret circuit diagrams, assembly drawings, and technical specifications
- Document all test results accurately in quality assurance systems
- Analyze test data to identify patterns and potential design or manufacturing issues
- Maintain records of equipment calibration and test procedures
4
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Inspect quality of products according to established quality assurance procedures
- Ensure compliance with REACH Regulation 1907/2006 and other regulatory requirements
- Report defective manufacturing materials to supervisors and procurement teams
- Meet production deadlines while maintaining quality standards
5
Communication and Collaboration
- Communicate test results and findings to manufacturing, quality, and engineering departments
- Process customer requests and inquiries related to product testing and quality
- Collaborate with team members to resolve quality issues and improve testing procedures
- Provide feedback on equipment performance and suggest process improvements
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (25)
integrated circuitsintegrated circuitsElectronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a m...printed circuit boards testing methodsprinted circuit boards testing methodsPrinted circuit board (PCB) testing methods consist of those processes in which PCB components or systems are tested, such as the in-circuit test (ICT), joint test action group (JTAG) test, and automa...instrument performance elementsinstrument performance elementsElements that indicate or influence instrument performance. A first indication of the performance of the instrument is the accuracy or precision of the instrument, such as its response time, resolutio...printed circuit boardsprinted circuit boardsPrinted circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The el...electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.interpret circuit diagramsinterpret circuit diagramsRead and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006process customer requests based on the REACh Regulation 1907 2006Reply to private consumer requests according to REACh Regulation 1907/2006 whereby chemical Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) should be minimal. Advise customers on how to proceed and protect the...inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.measure electrical characteristicsmeasure electrical characteristicsMeasure voltage, current, resistance or other electrical characteristics by using electrical measuring equipment such as multimeters, voltmeters, and ammeters.perform in-circuit testperform in-circuit testConduct in-circuit test (ICT) to assess whether the printed circuit boards (PCB) were correctly manufactured. The ICT tests for shorts, resistance, and capacitance, and can be performed with a "bed of...read assembly drawingsread assembly drawingsRead and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a p...troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.communicate test results to other departmentscommunicate test results to other departmentsCommunicate testing information such as testing schedules, samples testing statistics and test results, to the relevant departments.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.abide by regulations on banned materialsabide by regulations on banned materialsComply with regulations banning heavy metals in solder, flame retardants in plastics, and phthalate plasticisers in plastics and wiring harness insulations, under EU RoHS/WEEE Directives and China RoH...send faulty equipment back to assembly linesend faulty equipment back to assembly lineSend equipment that didn't pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.test printed circuit boardstest printed circuit boardsTest the printed circuit board with special testing adapters to ensure optimal efficiency, functionality, and that everything works according to design. Adapt the testing devices to the type of circui...ensure material complianceensure material complianceEnsure that the materials provided by suppliers comply with the specified requirements.in-circuit testin-circuit testTest to assess the correct manufacture of printed circuit boards (PCB). The in-circuit test (ICT) tests for shorts, resistance, and capacitance, and can be performed with a "bed of nails" tester or wi...check for solder defectscheck for solder defectsCheck the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.quality assurance proceduresquality assurance proceduresThe procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.ensure conformity to specificationsensure conformity to specificationsEnsure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
Optional (21) — show
microelectronicsmicroelectronicsMicroelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.hardware testing methodshardware testing methodsThose processes in which hardware components or systems are tested, such as the system test (ST), the ongoing reliability test (ORT), and the in-circuit test (ICT).IPC standardsIPC standardsStandards and guidelines with regards to the use and manufacture of electronics and printed circuit boards. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general safety rules, elect...through-hole technologythrough-hole technologyThrough-hole technology or THT is a method of mounting electronic components onto the printed circuit board through inserting leads on the components into holes in the circuit board and soldering the ...waste removal regulationswaste removal regulationsThe regulations and legal provisions governing waste removal activities.surface-mount technologysurface-mount technologySurface-mount technology or SMT is a method where the electronic components are placed on the surface of the printed circuit board. SMT components attached in this way are usually sensitive, small com...automated optical inspectionautomated optical inspectionDuring automated optical inspection (AOI), printed circuit boards (PCB) or surface-mount devices (SMD) are inspected by means of an automated optical inspection machine. During each automated optical ...semiconductorssemiconductorsSemiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silico...monitor machine operationsmonitor machine operationsObserving machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.remove defective productsremove defective productsRemove defective materials from the production line.test hardwaretest hardwareTest computer hardware systems and components using appropriate equipment and testing methods, such as the system test (ST), the ongoing reliability test (ORT), and the in-circuit test (ICT). Monitor ...operate automated optical inspection machineoperate automated optical inspection machineInspect the quality of assembled printed circuit boards (PCB) or surface-mount devices (SMD) through operating the automated optical inspection machine. During each test, dozens of images are captured...research equipment needsresearch equipment needsResearch equipment or required machine parts; compare sources, prices and delivery times.maintain test equipmentmaintain test equipmentMaintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.write inspection reportswrite inspection reportsWrite the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection's processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.write records for repairswrite records for repairsWrite records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a printed circuit board test technician do?
Printed circuit board test technicians inspect and test printed circuit boards. They perform a range of printed circuit board testing procedures and may perform minor repairs.
What skills does a printed circuit board test technician need?
A printed circuit board test technician needs 25 essential skills, including integrated circuits, printed circuit boards testing methods, instrument performance elements, printed circuit boards, electronics.
Will AI replace printed circuit board test technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for printed circuit board test technician is 67/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: in-circuit test, operate automated optical inspection machine, automated optical inspection. Most resilient: liaise with engineers, integrated circuits, resolve equipment malfunctions.
AI Replacement Risk
67/ 100
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Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
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ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills25
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