Electronics Manufacturing/Process Engineer (SMT/PCBA)

Electronics Manufacturing/Process Engineer (SMT/PCBA)Design West Technologies Inc. (DWT) is a leading provider of cutting-edge aerospace and military technologies. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we specialize in designing, manufacturing, and delivering high-performance solutions for our clients worldwide. Our team comprises passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace and defense.We are seeking a dynamic Electronics Manufacturing / Process Engineer to drive operational excellence in PCB assembly and electronics production.Position Overview:The Electronics Manufacturing / Process Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and sustaining SMT, through-hole, box build, and electronic assembly processes. This role focuses heavily on SMT/PCBA process engineering, line optimization, yield improvement, defect reduction, and new product introduction (NPI) support. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with strong engineering discipline who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environmentJob Duties:Optimize SMT production processes including solder paste printing, stencil setup, pick-and-place programming, reflow profiling, selective soldering, and hand assembly, while developing, validating, and maintaining programs for printers, SPI, AOI, and pick-and-place equipment.Improve manufacturing performance by driving higher first-pass yield, reducing defects, and increasing throughput across electronic assembly lines.Troubleshoot SMT process and assembly defects such as insufficient solder, bridging, tombstoning, skew, opens, and placement issues to ensure consistent product quality and process stability.Manufacturing Engineering:Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, setup sheets, tooling documentation, and routers.Design and improve fixtures, tooling, and workstation layouts while analyzing line balance, labor efficiency, bottlenecks, and capacity.Support preventive maintenance and equipment uptime initiatives to improve reliability and reduce downtime.New Product Introduction (NPI):Lead manufacturing readiness from prototype to production, including pilot builds, tooling, stencil design, and feeder setup.Review Gerbers, BOMs, AVL, and assembly packages, and provide DFM/DFA feedback to ensure producibility and efficient assembly.Quality & Continuous Improvement:Drive root cause corrective actions using tools such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, SPC, and Lean methodologies to resolve manufacturing issues and reduce defects, rework, scrap, and process variation in partnership with Quality.Support internal audits and compliance with IPC, ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer requirements while using data analysis to identify process improvements and recommend capital equipment upgrades.Required Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial).5+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing/EMS or PCB assembly with strong knowledge of SMT processes, equipment (pick-and-place, AOI, SPI, reflow, stencil printing), and test processes.Ability to read and interpret schematics, Gerbers, BOMs, assembly drawings, and ECOs, with hands-on troubleshooting and strong cross-functional communication skillsPreferred Qualifications:IPC certifications (IPC-A-610, IPC J-STD-001 or related) preferred.Experience in defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated electronics manufacturing environments, including mixed-technology assemblies.Familiarity with ERP/MES systems, Juki SMT/AOI equipment, Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.Why Join Design West Technologies:Join a growing U.S. manufacturer supporting national security missions with products that matter. You will have the opportunity to directly impact factory performance, manufacturing capability, and the delivery of mission-critical systems to customers who depend on them.