SMT Process Engineer l

SMT Process Engineer

Position Summary:

The SMT Process Engineer serves as a technical expert and strategic contributor within Microboard’s Engineering & Technology group. This individual will be responsible for leading advanced process development and continuous improvement initiatives across SMT lines, supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), and mentoring engineering staff. This position is intended to transition into a formal leadership role within 1–2 years, requiring strong collaboration, technical depth, and cross-functional influence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Process Ownership & Development

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of SMT processes including stencil printing, placement, reflow soldering, AOI, SPI, and X-ray inspection.
• Own process capability (CpK) analysis, yield metrics, and SMT line efficiency improvements using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Oversee development of process documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, control plans, and PFMEAs.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and technicians.
• Take initiative in cross-functional leadership, coordinating between engineering, production, quality, and maintenance.
• Prepare to assume leadership responsibilities by demonstrating influence, initiative, and ownership of complex projects.

NPI & Customer Engagement

• Collaborate with design, program management, and customers to support DFM analysis, technical reviews, and production readiness for NPIs.
• Analyze and review PCB design and panelization data to ensure manufacturing compliance and optimal process flow.
• Serve as a key liaison for customers on manufacturability feedback and process capability.

Equipment & Automation Strategy

• Evaluate, specify, and support procurement of SMT equipment and supporting technologies.
• Drive validation, calibration, and qualification of new machines and tooling.
• Lead custom fixture design and development to streamline manufacturing operations.

Real-Time Manufacturing Support

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex SMT process issues in real-time to minimize downtime and defects.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with maintenance on equipment preventive maintenance schedules and protocols.

Project & Technical Communication

• Lead and manage engineering projects, including timelines, deliverables, budgets, and reporting.
• Present project updates, metrics, and findings to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Interface with quality teams to support inspection, test, repair, and rework processes aligned with IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Minimum of 3–7 years of hands-on SMT process engineering experience in electronics manufacturing, preferably in a high-mix, low-to-mid volume environment.
• Expertise in SMT manufacturing equipment (e.g., DEK, Panasonic, Fuji, Heller, Koh Young, CyberOptics).
• Strong knowledge of IPC-A-610 standards and component identification.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, and structured problem-solving (8D, A3, DMAIC).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills—written, verbal, and presentation.
• Proven ability to coordinate across departments and act as a technical liaison.
• Comfortable leading projects independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred:

• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent.
• Experience with Aegis MES or other shop floor tracking systems.
• Familiarity with CAD, Gerber, and CAM software tools.
• Track record of mentoring, project ownership, and process improvements with measurable ROI.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and speak English fluently.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.

Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E):

Specific items of clothing and/or equipment may be required to perform certain functions and operations. Any of the following three serve as sufficient criteria in determining the need for P.P.E. compliance with:

• Microboard policy.
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) stipulations.
• OSHA regulations generally.