Hands-On SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer

Patton, LLC; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Patton is looking for an hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own the SMT cell end-to-end—from planning and programming to setup, operation, and quality. The role drives process engineering, including oven profiling, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy.

The position entails daily line leadership, training, and continuous improvement in an on-site manufacturing environment, with focus on IPC-A-610, ISO 9001 readiness, and KPOs for yield and cycle time

Qualifications

• 3+ years in automated electronics assembly with SMT programming/operation.
• Proficiency with stencil print, placement, reflow profiling, and AOI.
• Strong soldering/inspection skills to IPC-A-610; basic SMT rework capability.
• Experience with work instructions, routings, and ERP systems.
• Ability to lead operators while performing hands-on work.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute daily SMT schedule; organize kitting, feeder setup, first-article builds, and line changeovers.
• Operate and oversee stencil printer, pick-and-place, reflow, AOI, and stencil cleaning per procedures.
• Perform first-article inspection, AOI review, and in-process checks to IPC-A-610 standards.
• Train and mentor operators; enforce ESD, safety, and 5S.
• Develop and maintain SMT processes including paste selection, print parameters, placement optimization, reflow profiling, and AOI programming.
• Generate and maintain work instructions, setup docs, and process control plans; drive DFM with Design Engineering.
• Specify, program, and improve automated equipment; define preventive maintenance and calibration plans.
• Establish and sustain standards/routings in ERP and ensure BOM/routing alignment.
• Lead root-cause/corrective action for defects and drive yield/cycle-time improvements.

Skills

SMT programming

AOI inspection

Reflow profiling

Soldering/IPC

ERP systems

Leading operators

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Patton is looking for an hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own the SMT cell end-to-end—from planning and programming to setup, operation, and quality. The role drives process engineering, including oven profiling, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy.

The position entails daily line leadership, training, and continuous improvement in an on-site manufacturing environment, with focus on IPC-A-610, ISO 9001 readiness, and KPOs for yield and cycle time