SMT Engineering Manager

#Eng-IT-01
SMT Engineering Manager
Location: Houston, TX, fully on-site
Status: Full-time direct hire
Compensation: $130,000 to $140,000 per year
Experience: Bachelor's in Engineering or related field, 8+ years of experience
 
SUMMARY:
The SMT Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Engineering team in a high-volume, high-mix electronics manufacturing environment. This role oversees SMT process development, equipment optimization, new product introduction (NPI), yield improvement, quality enhancement, and continuous improvement initiatives. The SMT Engineering Manager works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective production while meeting customer quality and delivery requirements.
 
Requirements:
Engineering Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor a team of SMT Process Engineers, Equipment Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.
Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and development plans aligned with business objectives.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Manage engineering resources, priorities, and project execution.
SMT Process Management.
Own and optimize all SMT manufacturing processes including:
o Solder paste printing
o SPI (Solder Paste Inspection)
o Component placement
o Reflow soldering
o AOI (Automated Optical Inspection)
o X-ray inspection
o Selective soldering (where applicable)
Develop and implement robust process controls to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
Monitor and improve key process indicators including FPY, DPMO, OEE, cycle time, throughput, and scrap rates.
 
New Product Introduction (NPI)
Lead SMT process readiness activities for new product launches.

• Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews.
• Develop SMT process flows, machine programs, tooling, and process qualifications.
• Support prototype, pilot, and production ramp activities.

Equipment and Automation

• Ensure optimal performance and utilization of SMT equipment.
• Develop preventive maintenance strategies in collaboration with Maintenance teams.
• Drive equipment upgrades, automation projects, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies to improve productivity and quality.

Quality and Yield Improvement

• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for process-related issues.
• Utilize statistical analysis and SPC techniques to improve process capability.
• Support customer audits, internal audits, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Continuous Improvement
Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma projects focused on:

• Yield improvement
• Cost reduction
• Productivity enhancement
• Cycle time reduction
• Waste elimination
• Establish best practices and standardization across SMT operations.
• Develop and monitor engineering KPIs and improvement roadmaps.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Operations to meet production schedules and capacity requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Engineering to improve product reliability and customer satisfaction.
• Support Product Engineering in product transfers and sustaining engineering activities.
• Work with Supply Chain and Procurement to qualify materials and suppliers.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Justify and execute capital expenditure projects.
• Optimize engineering resources and equipment investments to maximize ROI.

• Qualifications
•  
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.

 

•  

• 8+ years of experience in SMT manufacturing engineering within electronics manufacturing.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Experience supporting high-volume electronics manufacturing environments.
• Experience with NPI, process development, and production ramp activities.
• Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of SMT manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Experience with leading SMT equipment suppliers such as Fuji, ASM/SIPLACE, Client, ERSA, DEK, Yamaha, Juki, Koh Young, CyberOptics, Heller, or Vitronics Soltec.
• Knowledge of IPC standards including IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and IPC-7711/7721.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, SPC, DOE, PFMEA, and process capability studies.
• Familiarity with MES, ERP, and manufacturing data analytics systems.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Leadership Competencies
• Strong people leadership and coaching skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to lead multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
• IPC Certification.
• Experience in high-reliability products, networking equipment, servers, telecommunications, industrial electronics, IoT, or automotive electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with smart factory and Industry 4.0 technologies.