Hands-On SMT Lead Operator & Process Engineer

Patton, LLC; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Patton, LLC in Gaithersburg, MD seeks an hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own SMT cell end-to-end—planning, programming, setup, operation, quality, and continuous improvement.

This player-coach role leads daily SMT production and drives process engineering including oven profiling, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy. The ideal candidate has 3+ years in automated electronics assembly and strong IPC-A-610/ISO 9001 knowledge.

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.
• 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 manufacturer guidance and Patton procedures.
• Perform first-article inspection, AOI review/verification, and in-process checks to IPC-A-610 standards.
• Train and mentor operators/technicians; enforce ESD, safety, and 5S.
• Develop and maintain SMT processes including solder 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.
• Ensure ISO 9001 and IPC-A-610/IPC-WHMA-A-620 compliance; support NPI transfers and build readiness.

Skills

SMT programming

Stencil printing

Placement & reflow

AOI programming

IPC-A-610 knowledge

ERP systems

Leadership

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent experience

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Patton, LLC in Gaithersburg, MD seeks an hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own SMT cell end-to-end—planning, programming, setup, operation, quality, and continuous improvement.

This player-coach role leads daily SMT production and drives process engineering including oven profiling, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy. The ideal candidate has 3+ years in automated electronics assembly and strong IPC-A-610/ISO 9001 knowledge.