SMT Process Engineer — First PCB Line Startup

About Etched

Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturing to deliver best-in-class throughput and latency across both prefill and decode workloads. Our first products are heavily focused on inference. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest-growing industry in history.

Job Summary

Etched is seeking an SMT Process Engineer to help establish our first PCB assembly (PCBA) manufacturing facility. You will be part of the core team selecting, installing, qualifying, and launching our first SMT production line, with hands-on ownership of manufacturing readiness from initial setup through volume production.

This role spans equipment programming, process development, tooling, operator training, and engineering build support. You will also provide technical direction to one SMT Engineering Technician, ensuring equipment and lab readiness to support new product introduction and production schedules. This is an opportunity to build an SMT operation from the ground up and establish the processes and standards that support future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Launch our first SMT line: Support equipment selection, define technical specifications and acceptance criteria, and coordinate installation with vendors and facilities teams.

• Qualify equipment for production: Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and develop and execute equipment startup, validation, and qualification plans.

• Own SMT programming and process development: Develop and optimize programs for solder paste printers, SPI, pick-and-place, AOI, AXI where applicable, and depanelization equipment. Maintain component libraries, machine databases, and standard setup procedures.

• Establish tooling readiness: Define, procure, and qualify stencils, PCB support tooling, carrier pallets, vacuum fixtures, and depanelization and rework fixtures ahead of engineering builds.

• Support builds from prototype through production: Lead SMT support for prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, and production builds. Troubleshoot process and programming issues, support engineering changes and product transfers, and minimize downtime.

• Develop manufacturing standards: Create equipment operating procedures, standard work instructions, and process controls. Support facility readiness, including utilities, ESD controls, and traceability.

• Train and certify operators: Develop training materials and train operators and technicians on equipment operation, feeder setup, program selection, changeovers, basic troubleshooting, and process controls.

• Provide technical leadership: Coach and prioritize work for one SMT Engineering Technician covering preventive maintenance, calibration, spare parts, vendor service, equipment qualification, and engineering lab support.

• Ensure process and lab readiness: Guide reflow profile verification, process characterization, and sample preparation for failure analysis to support engineering and production needs.

• Drive continuous improvement: Improve first-pass yield (FPY), throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Reduce setup and changeover time, optimize placement strategies, and standardize best practices across SMT operations.

You may be a good fit if you have (Must-have qualifications)

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent practical experience.

• 10+ years of SMT manufacturing engineering experience.

• Demonstrated experience supporting SMT line installation, commissioning, or factory startup.

• Experience with equipment acceptance testing, qualification, and production ramp-up.

• Hands-on experience programming and optimizing SMT equipment.

• Experience supporting PCBA manufacturing from prototype builds through high-volume production.

Strong candidates may also have experience with (Nice-to-have qualifications)

• Leading technicians or small technical teams.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage.

• $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits.

• Housing subsidy of $2,500 per month for those living within walking distance of the office.

• Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row).

• Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more.

• Daily lunch and dinner in our office.

• Unlimited compute budget, subject to ROI justification.

How we’re different

Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We are the first inference-focused frontier AI system, betting early on transformer and transformer-like architectures and on increasing model sizes. Our addressable market is the entirety of inference, unlike many of our competitors.

We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row) and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both and work across disciplines as needed.