Since 1969, Advanced Programs Inc. (API) has been developing secure, mission-critical solutions that serve the United States, NATO, and allied partners. As a small, agile company supporting national security initiatives, we offer a tight-knit environment where each employee plays a meaningful role in real-world impact.

Join a team that moves quickly to respond to evolving defense and intelligence challenges—often working directly with government stakeholders to translate urgent needs into engineered solutions. You'll have the chance to make a difference, but you'll also be expected to bring initiative, flexibility, and technical curiosity every day.

Customer Service Printer Technician

SUMMARY:

This position is a Printer Repair Technician responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining customer and company equipment, including printers and other electronic devices. The role involves diagnosing issues (mechanical, electrical, and network-related), replacing parts, performing preventative maintenance, and ensuring equipment operates properly.

The technician must understand printer systems, basic electronics, and networking, and be comfortable using tools, reading service manuals, and interpreting diagnostic data. Strong documentation and communication skills are required to record repairs and interact with customers or internal teams.

This is a hands-on, technical role that requires problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently, often in environments involving electronic equipment and potential hazards

Troubleshoot, repair, and test manufactured equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Printer Repair (Core Skills)

• Experience troubleshooting and repairing printers (laser and/or inkjet)
• Ability to diagnose common issues such as paper jams, print quality defects, and connectivity problems
• Experience replacing common parts (rollers, fusers, belts, printheads)
• Ability to run and interpret printer test pages and error codes

Troubleshooting

• Ability to identify root cause of issues (not just replace parts)
• Basic understanding of how mechanical and electrical systems work together
• Ability to follow step-by-step troubleshooting procedures

Basic Networking / Connectivity

• Understanding of how printers connect (USB, Ethernet)
• Ability to troubleshoot basic network printing issues
• Familiarity with installing or updating printer drivers

Tools & Repair Work

• Comfortable using basic hand tools
• Experience using multimeter for basic checks
• Ability to follow repair procedures and service manuals
• Ability to complete preventative maintenance (cleaning, replacing wear parts)

Documentation & Process

• Ability to document repairs and findings clearly
• Follow standard repair and quality procedures
• Maintain organized work area and tools

Soft Skills

• Good communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Professional attitude when working with internal teams or customers

Electromechanical Systems

• Understanding of printer mechanical assemblies (feed rollers, fusers, belts, gears, motors)
• Ability to diagnose paper path issues (jams, misfeeds, skewing, multi-feed)
• Experience replacing and aligning mechanical components (rollers, fuser units, transfer assemblies)
• Understanding of drive systems (stepper motors, DC motors, encoders)

Print Engine & Image Quality

• Troubleshoot print quality defects (streaking, ghosting, banding, fading, toner scatter)
• Knowledge of imaging systems (laser, inkjet, thermal)
• Understanding of toner/ink systems and consumables
• Ability to interpret test prints and diagnostic pages

Firmware & Embedded Systems

• Experience updating firmware and troubleshooting firmware-related issues
• Ability to navigate printer service modes / diagnostic menus
• Understanding of embedded controllers and I/O interfaces

Basic Electronics Theory

Voltage (potential difference) /Current (flow of charge) / Resistance (opposition to flow) / Power dissipation

Ohms Law (V=IR)

Circuit analysis (Series, Parallel, Series Parallel)

AC vs DC power

Passive Components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers)

Semiconductors (LED and diodes)

Test Equipment (Multimeter, Oscilloscope, Power Meter, Power Supply)

Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS:

CompTIA A+

CompTIA Network+

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports, and provide detailed instructions and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must have excellent customer service skills to communicate effectively with customers who have malfunctioning equipment.

Must have 2+ years of experience servicing, maintaining, configuring, and/or assembling complex electronic devices, including computers, printers, photocopiers, scanners, phones, and networking devices.

Must be familiar with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and TCP/IP.

Must be familiar with network security concepts and practices.

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance with COMSEC briefing.

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills; must be prepared to demonstrate during interview.

Must be familiar with use of Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Must be a US Citizen.

Must be a motivated self-starter, requiring minimal supervision, resourceful, and decisive.

Must have ability to work independently and adjust to conflicting or competing requirements.

Have an understanding of electrical circuit schematics.

Ability to read mechanical print sets.

Candidates must have hands-on experience diagnosing and repairing printer hardware. Experience limited to software installation, driver support, print queue management, or help desk support does not meet this requirement

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS (PREFERRED):

Experience with TEMPEST equipment

Experience working on commercial or high-volume printers

Previous field service or repair technician experience

Basic soldering experience

Familiarity with secure or government environments

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. Employee must be able to lift and carry for short distances objects weighing as much as 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

API is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

The likely salary range for this position is $25.00/hour to $27.00/hour. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, API considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What is your desired annual salary?
• Due to the nature of our work, U.S. Citizenship is required. Are you a U.S. Citizen?
• Are you local to the DC, Maryland, Virginia area?
• Do you currently possess a security clearance or have the ability to obtain one?
• Have you personally performed hardware repairs on commercial or enterprise printers?”

Work Location: In person