SMT Process and DFM Engineer — PCBA Industrialization

A day in this role

Your morning starts on the SMT line, dialing in solder paste printing parameters and refining reflow profiles to push yields higher. You review overnight AOI data, spot a trend on BGA coplanarity, and coordinate a quick failure analysis, including targeted BGA rework and a corrective action report. By mid-morning, you’re programming a pick-and-place update, adjusting feeder setups, and validating AOI/X-ray recipes. After lunch, you sit with design engineering to provide DFM feedback on a new PCB, then translate redlined updates into ECNs/ECOs and refresh work instructions and process specs. You close the day by entering routings, tooling work orders, and manufacturing BOMs in the MRP system, ensuring everything aligns with IPC and J-STD-001 requirements.

What you’ll own

• Process development and optimization: Establish and refine solder paste printing, SMT placement, reflow profiles, and through‑hole assembly to maximize first-pass yield and throughput.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Review PCB layouts for buildability, reliability, and cost; deliver actionable feedback to design teams and customers.
• Equipment programming and support: Select, configure, and program SMT equipment (pick‑and‑place, AOI, X‑ray) and sustain line performance.
• Root cause and continuous improvement: Lead defect investigations and FA (including BGA rework), drive CARs, and reduce scrap and rework.
• Documentation control: Create/maintain WIs, process specs, and BOMs; issue ECNs; manage updates from redlines; release and maintain via ECO.
• Mechanical sustaining and NPI: Provide sustaining engineering expertise to harden designs; support process and product development.
• Test and records: Maintain accurate documentation of test techniques, results, and SPC data.
• Digital toolset: Build advanced assembly layouts using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and AEGIS Software; manage data flow into the MRP.
• Manufacturing planning: Define sequences of operations; develop manufacturing BOMs, routings, and tooling work orders from customer drawings/specs.
• Customer collaboration: Clarify specs/requirements; review PO, drawing, and spec changes for incorporation and cost impact.
• Standards and compliance: Develop methods and tooling to applicable customer quality standards per IPC & J‑STD‑001; support ISO‑9000, AS9100, and ISO 13485 certification efforts.
• Cross‑functional engagement: Partner with management, production control, quality, and shop personnel to improve flow, schedules, and output.
• Quality systems: Meet productivity/quality targets and uphold current QMS requirements; assist with MRB dispositions and manage CARs/SCARs.
• Documentation release: Deliver complete, controlled documentation to Document Control, Quality, and Production.
• Compliance note: ITAR/export control requirements apply.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering (electronics/electrical or mechanical preferred) or equivalent experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a PCBA SMT assembly/test environment.
• 5+ years preferred supporting aerospace/defense, medical, and semiconductor customers.
• Clear technical communication skills, written and verbal.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Access; CAD/production software experience required (AEGIS preferred); AutoCAD and SolidWorks experience valued.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities; meticulous and well organized.
• Background in process design, development, and project planning.
• Demonstrated experience preparing/maintaining drawings, procedures, process routers, and BOMs with full documentation/configuration control.
• Understands production flow; can build effective plans and routings aligned to that flow.
• Hands‑on experience establishing and executing Statistical Process Control in manufacturing.

Tools & technologies

• SMT machines: Panasonic, Mydata, Yamaha
• AOI and X‑ray inspection systems
• CAM software; AEGIS Software; AutoCAD; SolidWorks
• Company MRP system for BOMs, routings, and tooling work orders

Core proficiencies

• PCB Assembly (PCBA)
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Aerospace manufacturing practices

We value a positive, collaborative attitude and a willingness to jump in wherever needed to support customers and company goals. You’ll help us meet demanding schedules while raising the bar on quality and efficiency.