Manufacturing Technical Engineering Manager

Key Responsibilities

Technical Engineering & Manufacturing Documentation

• Provide leadership and technical oversight for Technical Engineering, production documentation, manufacturing data preparation, and SMT programming.

• Manage, develop, and establish priorities for Technical Engineering and SMT Programming personnel.

• Establish effective workflows, priorities, accountability, and cross-training within the engineering function.

• Review and process customer manufacturing documentation and electronic data, including:

• Bills of Material (BOM)

• CAD files and drawings

• Gerber files

• Pick-and-place/centroid data

• Assembly instructions

• Programming and test instructions

• Customer specifications and engineering requirements

• Review technical documentation to ensure manufacturing data packages are complete, accurate, and production-ready.

• Identify missing, conflicting, or incomplete technical information and coordinate resolution with appropriate teams.

• Manage technical workflow from receipt of customer data through manufacturing release.

• Prepare, review, release, and maintain manufacturing documentation and instructions.

• Maintain accurate manufacturing routings, process steps, model points, workflow data, and production information within applicable systems.

• Support configuration control and ensure production operates using the correct documentation and revisions.

• Coordinate and implement Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), including updates to BOMs, programs, routings, documentation, and work instructions.

• Generate and analyze manufacturing reports and data to support production execution and technical accuracy.

• Support technical reviews, production readiness, and manufacturing schedules.

SMT Programming & Process Engineering

• Provide direct leadership and technical responsibility for SMT programming activities.
• Manage the creation, validation, release, revision, and maintenance of SMT placement programs.
• Develop SMT programs using customer-supplied CAD, centroid, Gerber, BOM, drawings, and other manufacturing data.
• Oversee component locations, rotations, package definitions, reference designators, and placement requirements.
• Ensure SMT programs are technically reviewed and production-ready before manufacturing release.
• Coordinate programming priorities with Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Program Management, and NPI teams.
• Establish standardized programming practices, naming conventions, revision controls, verification requirements, and release processes.
• Maintain SMT component and package libraries, ensuring accurate package definitions and programming data.
• Optimize placement sequences, feeder setup, nozzle utilization, machine balancing, throughput, and equipment utilization.
• Support NPI, prototype, first-build, and production-launch activities through timely SMT program development and validation.
• Provide floor-level technical support during first-article, first-build, and production validation activities.
• Troubleshoot SMT programming issues, placement defects, component orientation problems, package/library errors, and machine-program issues.
• Coordinate programming changes resulting from ECOs, component substitutions, customer revisions, and process improvements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing setup time, programming time, placement errors, downtime, and production interruptions.
• Develop and monitor SMT programming performance metrics, including program readiness, accuracy, first-pass performance, defects, and responsiveness.
• Train, mentor, and cross-train SMT programming personnel to build organizational depth and reduce single-person dependencies.

Required Qualifications

• Direct experience in EMS / PCB / PCBA contract manufacturing is strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of electronics manufacturing and PCBA assembly processes.

• Strong understanding of SMT manufacturing processes and SMT programming principles.

• Hands-on experience with SMT placement programming and component/package libraries.

• Working knowledge of:

• CAD

• Gerber files

• BOMs

• Centroid/pick-and-place data

• PCB manufacturing data

• Component packages and libraries

• Manufacturing documentation

• Strong understanding of component identification, package types, polarity, orientation, and reference designators.

• Experience managing technical personnel and coordinating multiple production requirements.

• Strong problem-solving, project planning, organizational, and analytical skills.

• Ability to identify root causes, analyze manufacturing data, and develop practical solutions.

• Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Planning, and Supply Chain.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to technical accuracy, data integrity, and configuration control.

• Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium-volume EMS manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent directly applicable electronics manufacturing and SMT programming experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in electronics manufacturing, technical engineering, SMT programming, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical function preferred.
• Previous supervisory or technical team leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a significant engineering/technical organization is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting complex PCBA products with high component counts and intricate designs is preferred.
• Experience in a high-mix contract manufacturing environment is highly desirable.

Technology Skills

• SMT programming software and manufacturing data systems.
• FUJI SMT programming and manufacturing platforms preferred.
• CAD and Gerber tools/viewers.
• Aegis MES or comparable manufacturing execution systems.
• ERP/MRP systems.
• PLM systems.
• Microsoft Office and advanced Excel.
• VBA and ability to modify standard production forms and technical tools.
• Ability to identify opportunities for automation of repetitive engineering and programming activities.

Leadership & Communication

• Strong ability to communicate technical information to engineers, managers, production employees, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, procedures, and customer documentation.
• Ability to write clear technical instructions, procedures, correspondence, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, prioritization, and team-development skills.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This is a hands-on manufacturing-floor position requiring regular interaction with production operations.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, communicate, and work around manufacturing equipment.
• Frequently lift or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Work environment may include moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, chemicals, vibration, and elevated noise levels.
• Personal protective equipment may be required in accordance with company safety policies, SDS requirements, and OSHA regulations.

Compensation & Relocation

• Base Salary: $160,000-$180,000 + bonus
• Relocation Assistance: Up to $10,000 reimbursement
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, onsite
• Location: Seymour, Connecticut
• Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.