Surface Mount Process Engineer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5–10 years of direct experience in SMT process engineering within a PCBA contract manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with SMT equipment (e.g., DEK, MPM, Panasonic, Fuji, Yamaha, Juki, Heller, Vitronics, Koh Young, CyberOptics, etc.).
• Experience with high-reliability electronics for military, aerospace, or medical applications preferred.
• Familiarity with MES systems (e.g., Aegis, FactoryLogix), ERP systems, and SPC tools is a plus.
• Proficient in programming and operating SMT equipment.
• IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 certifications preferred.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Manufacturing certification is a plus.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands to operate machinery or a computer.
• Occasional lifting of equipment or tools up to 25 lbs.
• Good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required for equipment operation and inspections.
• Must have visual acuity (20/20 corrected) and ability to distinguish colors for component identification and inspection.

JOB DETAILS:

The Surface Mount Process Engineer is responsible for the development, optimization, and support of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) processes within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume PCBA contract manufacturing environment. This role ensures that all SMT production equipment, processes, and personnel operate effectively and efficiently to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals. The Engineer serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in SMT and supports continuous improvement through data analysis, root cause investigation, and cross-functional collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical leadership for SMT assembly processes, including stencil printing, solder paste inspection (SPI), pick and place, reflow soldering, X-ray, and automated optical inspection (AOI).
• Program and optimize SMT equipment (e.g., screen printers, pick and place machines, reflow ovens, SPI, AOI, and X-ray machines).
• Troubleshoot production issues and implement root cause corrective actions to eliminate process defects and downtime.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including Manufacturing Work Instructions (MWIs), process control plans, and equipment setup procedures.
• Drive process improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to increase yields, reduce cycle times, and improve overall process efficiency.
• Perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews in collaboration with customers and design engineers to ensure product designs align with best manufacturing practices.
• Lead SMT line qualification activities, including equipment validation, process capability studies (CPK), and first article inspections (FAI).
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as defect rates, line efficiency, and first pass yield (FPY).
• Provide training and technical support to operators and technicians to ensure proper process execution.
• Support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and new product introduction (NPI) activities to ensure smooth production ramp-up.
• Evaluate and qualify new materials, tools, and process technologies for SMT operations.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards for soldering and assembly.
• This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may mentor or train junior engineers, technicians, and operators.
• Other duties may be assigned as required.