SMD Quality Engineer

General Description

• • Responsible for managing quality in SMD manufacturing processes at SL Tennessee.
    Ensures product and process quality through in-process control, defect prevention, and compliance with quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure product and process quality in SMT/SMD manufacturing through in-process inspection and line patrol activities
• Identify and evaluate soldering defects (e.g., bridging, tombstoning, insufficient solder, voids) and drive defect reduction activities
• Develop and maintain Control Plans to ensure compliance with process quality requirements
• Verify and update PFMEA to proactively identify and mitigate process risks
• Analyze and respond to customer quality requirements and support customer issue resolution
• Monitor and analyze process trends and quality data to identify potential issues and drive continuous improvement
• Manage defect rates and process capability (e.g., Cpk) to ensure process stability and quality performance
• Support new product launch activities including APQP, trial builds, and pilot runs to ensure production readiness
• Respond to quality issues in mass production, including containment, escalation, and cross-functional communication
• Perform root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Why) and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Ensure compliance with ESD control requirements and proper handling of electronic components
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Manufacturing, Suppliers) to resolve quality issues and improve processes
• Maintain accurate inspection records and quality documentation

Job Requirements

Work Experience

• 3 years of experience in an electronic manufacturing environment with a quality background
• Experience or knowledge in SMT/SMD processes (Printing, SPI, Pick & Place, Reflow, AOI)
• Experience in in-process inspection or line patrol activities in mass production
• Experience in identifying and handling soldering defects (e.g., bridging, tombstoning, insufficient solder, voids)
• Experience supporting new product launch activities (APQP, trial build, pilot run) preferred
• Experience in handling customer quality issues or internal defect containment in mass production

Education

• Associate’s degree in a technical field related to Quality or Engineering, or
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of SMT/SMD manufacturing processes and PCB assembly
• Basic understanding of APQP and quality requirements for new product launch
• Ability to identify soldering defects and quality issues in both pilot and mass production
• Understanding of ESD control requirements (ANSI/ESD S20.20 or IEC 61340)
• Ability to collect and analyze data and support root cause analysis (5 Why, etc.)