Manufacturing Technician – SMT Lead

Patton LLC; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Patton LLC is seeking an SMT Lead Operator and Manufacturing Engineer to own the SMT cell end-to-end—from planning and programming to setup, operation, quality and continuous improvement. This player‑coach role leads daily SMT production and drives process engineering including oven profiling, documentation, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy.

Daily responsibilities include line leadership, process development, and ensuring compliance with IPC-A-610 and ISO 9001

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; 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.

Skills

SMT programming

Stencil printing

AOI

Reflow profiling

ERP systems

IPC-A-610

Soldering/Inspection

Line leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or equivalent experience

Tools

Stencil printer

Pick-and-place equipment

Reflow oven

AOI equipment

ERP software

Job description

Description:

Patton is seeking a hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer who will own our 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, documentation, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Line Leadership (Lead Operator)

• 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.

Process & Manufacturing Engineering

• 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.

Quality, Compliance & Readiness

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and IPC-A-610/IPC-WHMA-A-620.

• Support NPI transfers, build readiness reviews, and configuration control.

Required 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; capable of basic SMT rework.

• Experience with work instructions, routings, and ERP systems.

• Ability to lead operators while performing hands‑on work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent experience.

• Hands‑on DFM experience, panelization, and capability studies.

• Knowledge of IPC-A-610/IPC-WHMA-A-620 and ISO 9001.

Attributes

• Player-coach mindset, data-driven, strong ownership, and cross-functional communication skills.

Working Conditions

• On-site manufacturing; standing for extended periods; handling small components; lifting up to 30 lbs.