Process Engineering Technician

Process Engineering TechnicianThe Process Engineering Technician leads the design, development, and readiness of manufacturing equipment and processes within a PCB assembly environment. This role provides expert-level technical support in electronics manufacturing, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures that products and processes meet customer specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. The position offers a high-impact opportunity with strong technical growth and exposure to the full PCBA process, including surface mount technology, automated assembly, inspection, and validation activities.ResponsibilitiesLead the design, development, and readiness of manufacturing equipment, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and adherence to safety standards.Handle advanced engineering tasks and escalate complex issues as necessary, ensuring compliance with quality standards and customer specifications.Lead complex technical issue resolution, applying critical thinking and advanced troubleshooting techniques to overcome manufacturing challenges.Demonstrate expert knowledge in electronics manufacturing and the PCBA process, solving complex problems with innovative and practical solutions.Create new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed, maintain ownership of assigned SOPs, and allocate SOP responsibilities to appropriate technician levels.Review and approve technical documents to ensure alignment with industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.Influence and support departmental strategies, long-term objectives, and technical excellence in process engineering and manufacturing operations.Manage the acquisition of non-recurring engineering (NRE) items such as stencils, wave pallets, fixtures, and test supplies in accordance with established procedures.Support the development and implementation of training programs for new technologies and processes, ensuring staff proficiency and operational excellence.Lead cross-functional teams in process improvement initiatives, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across departments.Conduct advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving on manufacturing equipment and processes, providing expert-level support to the production team.Plan and execute process validation studies strategically, ensuring robust, reliable, and repeatable manufacturing processes.Lead the integration of new process technologies into production, ensuring they meet quality standards, throughput targets, and overall production goals.Optimize manufacturing processes and equipment to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance technological capabilities.Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, process optimization, and performance enhancement.Execute actions based on data-driven inputs and process control techniques to optimize processes and improve product performance.Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in all aspects of the PCBA process, including SMT equipment, materials, and processes; auto insertion; solder flow and cleaning processes; automated labeling and marking; conformal coating; and manual and automated assembly.Mentor team members to enhance their technical skills and foster a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and improvement.Lead process development and validation activities to ensure new and modified processes meet all technical requirements and customer specifications.Lead cross-functional teams in root cause analysis and problem-solving, implementing effective corrective actions in process engineering.Resolve advanced equipment debug escalations and interface with outside vendors as required to support equipment performance and reliability.Participate in research and evaluation of new process technologies and materials to enhance production capabilities and process robustness.Influence and support the implementation of strategic plans for process development, aligning process engineering initiatives with departmental goals and plant targets.Read and interpret wiring diagrams, pneumatic diagrams, and engineering instructions for assembling electronics units and production equipment.Provide approximately 50% line support and troubleshooting, 25% equipment and programming support, 15% process setup and validation, and 10% documentation and SOP-related activities.Essential SkillsHands-on experience in process engineering within electronics manufacturing and PCBA environments.Strong troubleshooting skills on manufacturing equipment and production processes.Expert knowledge of the full PCBA process, including surface mount technology (SMT), auto insertion, solder flow, cleaning processes, automated labeling, marking, conformal coating, and manual/automatic assembly.Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, pneumatic diagrams, and engineering instructions for assembling electronics units.Proficiency with manufacturing execution systems (MES) used in electronics and PCB assembly manufacturing.Experience with lean manufacturing principles and their application to process optimization and continuous improvement.Knowledge and practical experience with Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and X-ray inspection technologies in PCBA production.Experience with equipment programming related to SMT, inspection, and assembly processes.Capability to develop, author, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical documentation.Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in process improvement, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.Strong data-driven mindset with experience using process control techniques for optimization and performance enhancement.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience in contract PCB assembly manufacturing environments.Background in process validation studies and process development for new and modified manufacturing processes.Experience mentoring technicians and engineers, supporting skill development and continuous learning.Familiarity with acquiring and managing NRE items such as stencils, wave pallets, fixtures, and test supplies.Ability to review and approve technical documents for compliance with industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.Comfort working with new process technologies and materials, including evaluating and integrating them into existing production lines.Strong organizational skills to balance line support, equipment programming, process setup and validation, and documentation responsibilities.Interest in high-impact roles offering strong technical growth and broad exposure to the full PCBA process.Work EnvironmentThe role operates within a PCB assembly manufacturing environment, specifically in a contract manufacturing setting focused on electronics and PCBA production. The work involves close collaboration with production lines, SMT equipment, inspection systems such as AOI and X-ray, and various automated and manual assembly processes. The environment is highly technical, fast-paced, and oriented toward continuous improvement, with regular interaction between engineering, production, and quality teams. The position offers significant exposure to the full PCBA process, advanced manufacturing technologies, and data-driven process optimization in a professional, safety-conscious facility.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plano, TX.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $28.85 - $40.00/hr.Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Plano, TX.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any