Electronics Manufacturing Engineer

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an Electronics Manufacturing Engineer to design and build advanced electronic assemblies for space and national security applications. You will translate complex schematics into manufacturable PCB layouts and lead process development for SMT in a high-mix, low-volume facility.

You will interface with electrical and mechanical engineers, develop process capabilities, and mentor technicians while ensuring quality, reliability, and

Qualifications

• BS Degree or equivalent in a technical field (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years electronics manufacturing experience in a high mix, low volume SMT facility.
• 3+ years PCB layout design in rigid, flex or rigid-flex.
• Experience designing 4–12+ layer boards with controlled impedance.
• Experience with blind/buried vias and fine-pitch BGA components.
• Basic understanding of SI, PI and EMI/EMC mitigation techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative with partners across teams.
• Process development and improvement skills with SMT processing tools and materials knowledge.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Willingness to work in a Class 8 Cleanroom and travel up to 5% within the US for vendor evaluations and design reviews.
• Eligible for Secret security clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the manufacturing expert as part of teams designing and fabricating complex electronic assemblies for critical national programs; own manufacturing outcomes for the hardware.
• Perform analyses to ensure hardware meets sponsor requirements; recommend materials and processes to improve performance, quality, cost and schedule; work with vendors.
• Generate, review and revise SOPs, work instructions, and process plans.
• Own development, implementation, and improvement of fabrication processes for complex, high-reliability assemblies.
• Guide and develop fabrication technicians in electronic assembly areas.
• Program and/or develop process parameters for automated electronic assembly tools; assist with maintenance and calibration of tools.
• Execute multi-layer PCB layouts, component placement, and HDI trace routing using Altium Designer and Xpedition.
• Define electrical constraints for high-speed signals, impedance control, differential pairs, and PDN.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners and mechanical engineers to optimize designs for fabrication and assembly.
• Generate complete manufacturing documentation, drill drawings, assembly drawings, and BOMs.
• Participate in cross-functional design reviews with hardware, mechanical, and thermal engineers.

Skills

BS in technical field

Electronics manufacturing

PCB layout design

Multi-layer PCB

Controlled impedance

Blind vias

Fine-pitch BGA

Signal integrity

Power integrity

EMI/EMC

SMT tooling

Process development

Secret clearance

Education

BS Degree or equivalent in a technical field

Tools

Altium Designer

Siemens Xpedition

Job description

Description

Do you love building electronics hardware to solve hard problems, whose solutions have an important bearing on national security, military readiness, space exploration, national health, and the advancement of fundamental science or engineering?

Are you a highly motivated individual that enjoys working on teams to develop critical hardware?

If so, we 're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking an Electronics Manufacturing Engineer to help us engineer, design and build electronic circuit assemblies for space and national security applications. This is a unique opportunity to apply a passion for electronics manufacturing toward advanced prototypes and one-of-a kind systems that will further the scientific knowledge of humankind, safeguard our nation's security and advance the frontiers of space. Sought out by engineering partners across the Lab's mission areas, this Engineer will directly design, plan, lead, and execute the realization of ideas and designs and contribute to the success of the Lab's missions. Through the application of innovative thinking and solid engineering fundamentals, this position will drive the development and implementation of processes that optimize the speed and reliability of surface mount technology (SMT) and mixed technology assemblies in a high mix, low volume facility producing state-of-the-art systems for space and military missions.

Your primary responsibility will be to interface with electrical and mechanical engineers from around the Laboratory, develop process plans and technical capabilities to build their hardware, and be hands on while leading the hardware development through the surface mount electronics fabrication area. In addition, we are looking for someone that can translate complex electrical schematics into functional, reliable, and manufacturable printer circuit board layouts.

As an Electronics Manufacturing Engineer you will...

• Serve as the manufacturing expert as part of a team(s) designing and fabricating complex electronic assemblies for critical national programs. Responsible for the manufacturing outcomes for the hardware in your assigned subsystem.
• Perform analyses as required to ensure that the hardware will meet the sponsor's requirements. Recommend new materials and processes to improve performance, quality, cost and schedule. Evaluate and work with vendors as necessary.
• Generate, review and revise standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process plans.
• Own the development, implementation, and improvement of processes used for the fabrication of complex, high reliability electronic assemblies.
• Guide and develop fabrication technicians in the electronic assembly areas.
• Program and/or develop process parameters for automated electronic assembly tools and equipment. Maintain or assist/ direct with the maintenance, calibration, and repairs of these tools and equipment.
• Execute multi-layer PCB layouts, component placement, and high-density interconnect (HDI) trace routing using Altium Designer and Xpedition.
• Define and manage electrical constraints for high-speed signals, impedance control, differential pairs, and power delivery networks (PDN).
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners and mechanical engineers to optimize designs for fabrication, and assembly.
• Generate complete manufacturing documentation, drill drawings, assembly drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Participate in and present layouts during cross-functional design reviews with hardware, mechanical, and thermal engineers.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Hold a BS Degree or equivalent in a technical field (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• Have 3+ years of increasingly responsible work in an electronics manufacturing environment, particularly in a high mix, low volume SMT facility.
• Have 3+ years of experience in rigid, flex, or rigid-flex PCB layout design.
• Have experience designing 4 to 12+ layer boards with controlled impedance.
• Have experience with blind/buried vias, and fine-pitch BGA component breakout.
• Have basic understanding of signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and EMI/EMC mitigation techniques.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Can work in a collaborative environment with partners.
• Have proven process development and improvement skills with knowledge of solder joint characteristics and SMT processing tools and materials.
• Have the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Have a passion to learn and improve self and processes.
• Are willing and able to work in a Class 8 Cleanroom, and travel inside the US for up to 5% of your time during certain periods for vendor evaluations, in-process inspections, and design reviews.
• Are flexible in work hours during occasional periods of heavy workload. Shifted work hours (some evenings/weekends) could be required for short periods.
• Are able to obtain a Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You 'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• Experience building electronic hardware for spacecraft.
• Experience with IPC J-STD-001FS.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE).
• Exposure to manufacturing resource planning (MRP) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems.
• Experience using Altium Designer or Siemens Xpedition Entreprise.
• Basic programming skills.
• Hold an active secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$195,000 Annually