Quality Engineer Leader- PCB SME

Job Description

Job Description

Quality Engineer Leader- PCB SME

Position Summary

This position is responsible for ensuring that printed circuit boards (bare boards and assemblies) meet internal specifications, industry standards, and customer requirements throughout the product lifecycle. This role combines deep PCB technical knowledge with hands on quality engineering and failure analysis to drive defect prevention, robust supplier quality, and continuous improvement across design, fabrication, and assembly processes.

Key Responsibilities

Quality ownership for PCB and PCBA

• Define and maintain incoming inspection criteria for bare boards including IPC based acceptance standards and sampling plans.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality plans, inspection instructions, and control plans for PCB and assembly (SMT and through hole).
• Review and disposition non conforming material (MRB), lead root cause and corrective actions (8D / RCCA / CAPA), and prevent recurrence.
• Manage quality engineers and quality inspectors, providing mentorship and growing the team’s technical knowledge and expertise.

Technical QA / PCB expertise

• Act as the in house PCB technical authority on stack ups, materials, finishes, and manufacturability.
• Review Gerber/ODB++, fabrication drawings, and assembly documentation to confirm alignment with design intent, DFM and DFA rules, and assembler capabilities.
• Support design and NPI teams by highlighting PCB quality risks early (spacing, thermal relief, solderability, testability, etc.) and recommending improvements.

Supplier quality and collaboration

• Qualify and monitor PCB suppliers; assess their processes, yield, and capability for both standard and complex boards
• Coordinate first article inspections (FAI), certificates of conformance (CoC), and FAIR reviews for new suppliers and new part introductions
• Issue and manage SCARs, track supplier performance metrics (PPM, on time FAI, corrective action closure), and drive continuous improvement with key partners

Inspection, testing, and data driven improvement

• Oversee or perform detailed inspections (visual, AOI support, X ray, micro section, electrical test review) for PCB and PCBA as needed.
• Investigate internal defects and customer returns (RMAs), perform failure analysis, and translate findings into updated procedures.
• Analyze yield, defect trends, and DPMO data present dashboards and recommendations to Quality and Engineering leadership. 
• Ensure adherence to applicable standards (IPC A 600/610, IPC 6012, ISO 9001/AS9100, customer specific requirements)

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics, Materials, or related field; or equivalent industry experience focused on PCB/PCBA.
• 10+ years of experience in PCB manufacturing, quality engineering, or technical QA.
• Strong knowledge of PCB fabrication (etching, lamination, plating, solder mask) and assembly processes (SMT, wave/reflow soldering, ICT/functional test).
• Working knowledge of IPC standards for bare boards and assemblies (e.g., IPC A 600, IPC A 610, IPC 6012)
• Proven experience leading root cause analysis and corrective actions for PCB related quality issues, including supplier driven problems.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, fabrication drawings, stackups, and Gerber/OD
• Proficiency with standard quality tools and methods (8D, FMEA, SPC, control plans, capability analysis)
• Strong communication skills, able to interface effectively with design engineers, suppliers, operations, and customers.

Preferred

• Hands on exposure to AOI, Xray, micro section analysis, ICT/functional test data, and lab failure analysis methods.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES and electronic PLM systems for revision control and traceability.
• Six Sigma or quality certification (e.g., CQE, IPC certified specialist) is a plus.

Competencies

• Technical depth: Demonstrated subject matter expertise in PCB technology and quality.
• Analytical mindset: Uses data and structured methods to solve complex quality issues.
• Influence and collaboration: Able to challenge designs and suppliers constructively while maintaining strong relationships.
• Ownership: Takes responsibility for board level quality from design handoff through shipment.