SMT Process Control Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

At Milwaukee Electronics, acceleration isn’t just what we do; it’s how we grow. As an electronics manufacturing services provider with more than 70 years of innovation, we partner with customers to turn ideas into reality. We invest in our people through learning, advancement, and a culture that truly cares. If you’re looking for meaningful work, strong teamwork, and room to go beyond, you’ll feel at home here.

SUMMARY 

The SMT Process Control Engineer is responsible for owning, defining, and sustaining manufacturing processes to ensure consistent execution, stability, and quality across production. This role focuses on process discipline, standardization, and control, using statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis as tools to monitor performance, detect variation, and drive corrective action.

This position is embedded directly on the SMT production floor and requires a continuous on-floor presence. The SMT Process Control Engineer works alongside operators, technicians, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams on the line to establish clear process expectations, maintain control plans and reaction plans, and ensure processes are followed, understood, and capable over time. This is a hands-on, floor-based role, not a desk-based or remote engineering position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Manufacturing Process Ownership

• Own and sustain defined manufacturing processes to ensure consistent execution across shifts and product lines
• Establish, document, and maintain standard work, process flows, and operating parameters for SMT processes including solder paste printing, reflow, wave/selective soldering, and inspection
• Ensure processes are clearly defined, understood, and followed by production teams
• Regularly observe process execution on the production floor and address gaps in adherence or understanding
• Maintain a consistent presence on the SMT production line to observe real-time process execution, support operators, and immediately address process variation or non-conformance

Process Control & Stability

• Develop and maintain process control plans and reaction plans for critical manufacturing processes
• Define key process parameters (KPPs) and critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics across SMT operations — including solder paste volume, reflow profile parameters, and placement accuracy
• Use SPC and other monitoring methods to confirm process stability and capability
• Lead response and corrective action when processes deviate from defined expectations

SPC & Data-Driven Enforcement

• Implement and sustain SPC methodologies to support process control and early detection of variation
• Select appropriate control chart types and sampling approaches
• Analyze SPC data to identify trends, special cause variation, and opportunities for improvement
• Ensure SPC results drive timely action, not just reporting

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Lead and support root cause analysis related to process variation, defects, and escapes
• Drive process improvements focused on variation reduction, yield improvement, and defect prevention
• Support process validation, qualification, and change implementation
• Validate improvements through defined process metrics and data analysis

Cross-Functional & Floor Engagement

• Operate primarily from the SMT production floor, partnering directly with operators, technicians, and supervisors rather than working from a traditional engineering office environment
• Provide hands-on coaching and training to operators and technicians on process discipline and control
• Support NPI, process transfers, and production ramp-ups by establishing stable, repeatable processes
• Communicate process risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities clearly to stakeholders

Quality & Compliance Support

• Ensure manufacturing processes and controls align with ISO, AS, IPC, and customer requirements
• Support audits, CAPA activities, and customer issues related to process performance
• Maintain accurate and controlled process documentation

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, or a related technical field
• 4–6 years of experience in SPC, process control, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering
• Experience in a manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electronics manufacturing or SMT production environments strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience with SMT processes, including solder paste printing, reflow, wave/selective soldering, or AOI/SPI
• Familiarity with SMT capital equipment such as screen printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, or AOI/SPI systems
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (ISO 9001, AS9100, IPC standards)

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of statistical process control and process capability analysis
• Experience with SPC methodologies, control charts, and reaction planning
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel)
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, and process validation
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and influence cross-functional teams

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular standing, walking, and sitting in a manufacturing environment
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds
• Frequent use of computer and analytical tools

Work Environment

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

• SMT and electronics manufacturing production floor environment
• Primary work location is on the production floor and SMT line, not in an engineering office area
• Regular interaction with SMT capital equipment including screen printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, and AOI/SPI systems
• Moderate noise levels typical of a production environment
• Daily, continuous on-site presence required to support operations and real-time process control

ITAR Compliance Requirement
This position is located within an ITAR-regulated facility. Due to the nature of the work and access to controlled information, applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees).

MILWAUKEE ELECTRONICS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov). 

Because this job has access to controlled technology, we must comply with ITAR. Any job offers will be contingent on verification that the candidate is a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent resident, or individual granted asylum/refugee status in the U.S.) or can otherwise satisfy ITAR compliance requirements. If applicable, if an individual is not a U.S. person, our policy is to not take the extra step of seeking approval from the federal government for that person to work in this position.

Upon hire, the successful candidate must present acceptable proof of identity and current authorization to work in the U.S., as required on Form I-9. We do not provide sponsorship support for employment-based visas such as H-1B.