Process Engineer

Tata Electronics; Kolar; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Tata Electronics in Kolar, Karnataka, seeks an experienced professional to define and maintain process control for all PnP products. The role requires optimizing PnP machines and improving production yield and efficiency.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering and 10-12 years of hands-on experience in the SMT industry, with strong knowledge of solder paste behavior and PnP machine operations.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years of hands-on experience in the SMT industry in a similar role.
• Deep understanding of solder paste behavior and thermal profiling.
• Proficiency in root-cause analysis and problem-solving tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain all process windows, control plans & CTQ across all products.
• Optimize component placement accuracy and speed.
• Lead process development, validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Hands-on experience in the SMT industry

PnP programming & optimization

Root-cause analysis

Lean manufacturing

Solder paste behavior

Education

Bachelor in Electronics Engineering

Tools

PnP machines (ASMPT / Fuji / Panasonic)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain all process windows, control plans & CTQ across all products of PnP.
• Setup, operate, program and optimize PnP machines.
• Conduct DOE and process validation for new products and materials.
• Perform feeder loading, nozzle selection and calibration.
• Optimize component placement accuracy and speed.
• Create and modify machine programs using online/offline software.
• Optimize cycle time and improve placement efficiency.
• Perform penalization and coordinate transformation.
• Validate BOM, centroid file and Gerber data before production.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions and SOPs for Pick n Place / Mounter.
• Lead new model trail pre‑readiness (EVT/DVT/PVT) and associated process validation.
• Load and verify machine programs for new product trails and conduct first article inspection.
• Partner with NPI and TDG to ensure DFMEA and PFMEA for Pink n Place / Mounter.
• Ensure proper solder paste reflow per component and PCB design requirements.
• Ensure smooth technology transfer from development to production.
• Own ramp‑up metrics: yield learning curve, cycle time and scrap reduction.
• Own cost of ownership and drive productivity improvement initiatives.
• Drive cycle‑time and line‑balancing improvements.
• Lead process development, validation and continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, Poka‑yoke, Lean Manufacturing).
• Ensure proper line setup, programming and program version management for Pick n Place / Mounter.
• Ensure compliance with ESD, safety and IPC standards.
• Meet daily production targets and OEE goals.
• Coordinate with production planning, quality and maintenance teams.
• Diagnose and resolve machine alarms and placement defects, handle feeder‑related issues, vision‑alignment errors and nozzle problems to minimize downtime and improve machine utilization.
• Serve as a technical team member for customers on PCBA process topics and for customer reviews, technology discussions and risk‑mitigation plans.

Quality Excellence

• Accountable for first-pass yield, final yield and field reliability.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for yield excursions using SPI data, SPC charts, yield trends, FMEA, DOE and failure analysis.
• Monitor production yield, defect rates and cycle time and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Collaborate with Quality, NPI and Customer to resolve manufacturing and quality issues such as tombstoning, voiding, bridging, cold joints, misalignment, missing components and solder balls.
• Partner with the Quality team to address customer returns, audits and escalations.
• Analyze defects to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor placement quality and defect rates.
• Maintain process documentation and production reports.

Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization

• Own cost of ownership and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Drive cycle-time and line-balancing improvements.
• Lead process development, validation and continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, Poka-yoke, Lean Manufacturing).
• Ensure proper line setup, programming and program version management (Pick n Place / Mounter).
• Ensure compliance with ESD, safety and IPC standards.
• Meet daily production targets and OEE goals.
• Coordinate with production planning, quality and maintenance teams.
• Diagnose and resolve machine alarms and placement defects.
• Handle feeder-related issues, vision alignment errors and nozzle problems.
• Minimize downtime and improve machine utilization.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a technical team member for customers on PCBA process topics.
• Act as a technical team member for customer reviews, technology discussions and risk‑mitigation plans.

Education

• Bachelor in a related engineering discipline (preferred Electronics Engineering).
• 10–12 years of hands‑on experience in the SMT industry in a similar role (PnP programming & optimization).

Desired Experience

• Experience in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on knowledge of PnP machines (ASMPT / Fuji / Panasonic).
• Deep understanding of solder paste behavior and thermal profiling.
• Proficiency in root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving tools (8D, 5‑why, DOE).
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of SMT process flow.