Electronics Manufacturing/Process Engineer (SMT/PCBA) in Tustin

Energy Jobline ZR; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Design West Technologies Inc. in California seeks an Electronics Manufacturing / Process Engineer to develop, optimize, and sustain SMT and PCB assembly processes, lead NPI support, and improve line efficiency in a fast-paced, high-mix environment.

You will troubleshoot defects, drive yield improvements, create manufacturing docs, and collaborate with QA, design, and operations to ensure producibility and reliability of mission-critical systems.

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 skills.

Responsibilities

• Improve 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.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, setup sheets, tooling documentation, and routers.
• 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.

Skills

SMT processes

AOI / SPI

Manufacturing optimization

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Juki SMT/AOI equipment

ERP/MES systems

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Job description

Job Description

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.

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 environment.

Job Duties

• Improve 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• IPC certifications (IPC‑A‑610, IPC J‑STD‑001 or related).
• 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 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.