Lead SMT Process Engineer for Greenfield Factory Build

Red Dog Capital, LLC; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision packages

$500 per month credit for waiving med

Housing subsidy of $2,500 per month

Relocation support for San Jose

Wellness benefits

Daily lunch and dinner

Unlimited compute budget

Job summary

Etched is seeking an SMT Process Engineer to establish our first PCB assembly manufacturing facility. You will lead the selection, installation, and startup of the SMT line and own manufacturing readiness from setup through volume production.

This role covers equipment programming, process development, tooling, operator training, and engineering build support, with oversight of one SMT Engineering Technician to ensure lab readiness and production schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years SMT manufacturing engineering experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting SMT line installation, commissioning, or factory startup.
• Experience with equipment acceptance testing, qualification, and production ramp-up.
• Hands-on experience programming and optimizing SMT equipment.
• Experience supporting PCBA manufacturing from prototype builds through high-volume production.

Responsibilities

• Launch our first SMT line: support equipment selection, define specs and acceptance criteria, and coordinate installation.
• Qualify equipment for production: FAT/SAT and develop startup, validation, and qualification plans.
• Own SMT programming and process development: programs for paste printers, SPI, pick-and-place, AOI, AXI, and depanelization equipment.
• Establish tooling readiness: define, procure, and qualify stencils, PCB tooling, carrier pallets, fixtures.
• Support builds from prototype through production: lead SMT support for EVT, DVT, PVT, and production builds; troubleshoot issues.
• Develop manufacturing standards: create SOPs, work instructions, process controls, and facility readiness.
• Train and certify operators: develop training materials and train on equipment operation, setup, changeovers, and controls.
• Provide technical leadership: coach SMT Technician on maintenance, calibration, spare parts, and lab support.
• Ensure process and lab readiness: guide reflow verification, process characterization, and sample prep for failure analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement: improve FPY, throughput, OEE, and standardize best practices.

Skills

SMT manufacturing

Line installation

Equipment programming

Process development

PCBA manufacturing

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Etched is seeking an SMT Process Engineer to establish our first PCB assembly manufacturing facility. You will lead the selection, installation, and startup of the SMT line and own manufacturing readiness from setup through volume production.

This role covers equipment programming, process development, tooling, operator training, and engineering build support, with oversight of one SMT Engineering Technician to ensure lab readiness and production schedules.