QA Engineer

1. Basic Job Information

Job Title: PCBA Quality Engineer (SMT PQE)

Department: Quality Department

Reporting Line: Quality Supervisor / Quality Manager

Work Location: Electronic Manufacturing Factory

Job Positioning: Responsible for the full-process quality control of SMT production procedures including solder printing, component mounting, reflow soldering, AOI inspection, X-ray inspection, cleaning, dispensing and visual inspection. This role takes charge of quality abnormality analysis and improvement, quality system implementation, new product introduction quality planning, and customer complaint closed-loop management. It aims to stabilize the yield rate of SMT production lines, ensure production quality compliance, and drive continuous optimization of process quality.

2. Job Responsibilities

2.1 New Product Introduction Quality Planning (NPI/APQP)

Participate in the early quality planning of SMT processes for new products and follow up the full APQP process, covering quality control throughout prototype trial production, small-batch trial production and mass production introduction stages. Take part in DFM/DFA reviews for PCB design, stencil opening, material selection and process solutions. Accurately identify potential quality risks in key processes such as solder printing, component mounting and reflow soldering, deliver professional risk assessment reports and preventive improvement schemes, and promote the optimization of product design and production processes to avoid mass quality problems from the source. Formulate SMT process control plans, inspection specifications, sampling standards and key process control parameters for new products to lay a solid foundation for stable mass production quality.

2.2 On-site Process Quality Control

Undertake full-process quality control of SMT production lines, covering all core working procedures including solder printing, SPI inspection, component mounting, reflow soldering, AOI inspection and X-Ray inspection. Focus on preventing and controlling common SMT defects such as cold solder, solder bridging, insufficient solder, tombstoning, component offset, solder voids and component damage. Strictly implement quality management systems including first article inspection, in-process patrol inspection, last article verification and batch inspection. Supervise daily inspection work of IPQC and FQC, standardize on-site operating procedures, eliminate irregular operations, and prevent batch quality failures. Real-time monitor production line quality data, track core quality indicators including process first-pass yield, finished product yield and scrap rate, and ensure sustained compliance and stability of mass production quality.

2.3 Quality Abnormality Analysis and Closed-Loop Improvement

Lead the handling of incoming material abnormalities, sudden production defects and batch quality issues in SMT processes. Proficiently apply professional quality tools including 8D report, 5Why analysis, fishbone diagram and SPC statistical analysis to accurately identify the root causes of defects, and formulate implementable corrective actions, preventive measures and optimization strategies. Follow up the implementation, effect verification and standardization solidification of improvement solutions in the whole process to achieve 100% closed-loop resolution of all quality abnormalities. Regularly collect and analyze process defect data, compile weekly and monthly quality reports, and review the trend of quality problems to prevent the recurrence of similar issues in advance.

2.4 Construction and Maintenance of Quality Document System

Compile, revise and update SMT process control plans, inspection instructions, defect judgment standards, sampling plans, change control documents and other quality system documents in accordance with IPC-A-610 industry standards, IATF16949 system requirements and customer special specifications. Take charge of the review, issuance, filing and version control of quality documents, ensuring that on-site operation, inspection judgment and full-process quality control are standardized, compliant with industry norms and customer quality requirements.

2.5 External Quality Communication & Docking

Act as the responsible person for SMT process quality to handle quality abnormality feedback and customer returned goods analysis. Follow up internal rectification, effect verification and customer confirmation to achieve full closed-loop management. Cooperate with customer audits and third-party system audits, complete SMT process quality audit work, rectify non-conformity items raised in audits, and maintain the company’s quality reputation and customer satisfaction.

2.6 Team Empowerment and Continuous Quality Improvement

Regularly sort out pain points and difficult problems of SMT process quality, lead special quality improvement projects, optimize production process parameters, inspection procedures and control mechanisms, continuously enhance process capability, and reduce defect rate and scrap cost. Provide professional training on SMT quality knowledge, defect judgment and operation specifications for quality inspectors and front-line operators, improve the overall quality awareness and professional competence of all staff, and build a stable on-site quality control system.

3. Requirements

3.1 Education & Major
College degree or above in Electronic Information, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Quality Management, Mechanical Manufacturing, or related fields.

3.2 Work Experience
1–3 years of experience as a Quality Engineer in the SMT industry with knowledge of the full SMT process.
Preferred experience in consumer electronics, automotive electronics, or industrial control. Candidates with NPI experience and IATF16949 / VDA6.3 audit experience are preferred.

3.3 Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of SMT processes, including solder printing, stencil design, SMT parameters, reflow profile, SPI/AOI/X-Ray principles, and common defect analysis;
• Familiar with IPC standards and quality tools such as SPC, 8D, and 5Why, able to prepare quality reports independently;
• Knowledge of IATF16949 system, able to handle quality documents, process control, abnormal issue closure, and audit corrections;
• Proficient in MS Office for reports, analysis, and training materials;
• Basic data analysis ability for process risk identification and quality improvement.

3.4 Core Competencies

• Strong problem-solving, logical thinking, and execution ability; able to handle on-site quality issues quickly;
• Good cross-functional communication and coordination with production, engineering, R&D, and procurement teams;
• Detail-oriented, responsible, with strong quality and cost awareness and continuous improvement mindset;
• Able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and support overtime when needed.

3.5 Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

• Reduction of defect rate and scrap cost;
• Timely closure rate of quality issues and customer complaints;
• Compliance of quality documents and inspection standards;
• Zero major quality escape in NPI projects;
• Completion rate of internal/external audit corrective actions.

3.6 Working Schedule

Can work 6 days/week (Mon–Sat), shift work and overtime required.