PCB Manufacturing Process Engineer - Mechanical & Laser Drilling

Advantest Corporation; Plainfield (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Medical, Dental & Vision

Income Protection

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Advantest America Inc. in South Plainfield, NJ seeks a PCB Manufacturing Process Engineer (Mechanical & Laser Drilling) to develop, optimize, and sustain drilling processes for Advanced PCB assemblies used in semiconductor testing.

You will collaborate with Front End Engineering, Quality, CAM, Maintenance, and Production to improve yield, productivity, and process capability, applying DOE, Lean Six Sigma, and SPC to deliver robust process control across mechanical and UV/CO2 laser drilling.

Qualifications

• 3+ years PCB manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with mechanical drilling and/or laser drilling in PCB fabrication is a plus.
• Mechanical/Manufacturing engineering background required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and control mechanical drilling processes for PCB fabrication.
• Establish drilling parameters including spindle speeds, feed rates, stack heights, entry/backup materials, and tool selection.
• Monitor drilling performance and drive continuous improvement for hole quality and productivity.
• Support NPI by defining drilling process requirements and capabilities.
• Troubleshoot issues: burr formation, smear, breakout, drill breakage, hole wall quality.
• Collaborate with maintenance, CAM, and production to sustain process capability.

Skills

Mechanical drilling

Laser drilling

Process optimization

DOE & Six Sigma

Cross-functional

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Related technical discipline

Job description

PCB Manufacturing Process Engineer - Mechanical & Laser Drilling

#9281

South Plainfield, New Jersey, United States

About Advantest

Advantest America Inc. is part of Advantest Corporation, the world’s largest provider of automated test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry. The company designs and manufactures cutting-edge testing solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of their products. Advantest is known for innovation, reliability, and a strong commitment to supporting its customers and employees.

Our Purpose & Values:

• Mission: Improve lives through advanced technologies and customer-focused innovation.
• Vision: Be the most trusted and valued test solution provider in the semiconductor value chain.

Core Values:

• I- Innovation is our Lifeblood
• N- Number One is Our Aspiration
• T- Trust is our Foundation
• E- Empowerment is Our Motivation
• G- Global is our Reach
• R- Respect is our Heart
• I - Inclusion and Diversity is Our Commitment
• T- Teamwork is our Approach
• Y- Yes is Our Attitude

Why Join Us

At Advantest, innovation starts with people. We’re looking for curious, capable, and collaborative individuals ready to shape the future of semiconductor technology. You’ll join a global team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact.

We foster an integrity-centered culture, where honesty, inclusion, and respect are the foundation of everything we do.

Job Description

Position Summary

The PCB Manufacturing Process Engineer (Mechanical & Laser Drilling) is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining drilling processes used in Advanced printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. This role supports both mechanical and laser drilling operations to ensure production efficiency, product quality, capacity and capability improvements. The engineer will work closely with Front End Engineering, Quality, CAM, Maintenance, and Production teams to maintain robust process capability for Advanced ATE (Automated Test Equipment) PCBs (Load Boards, Probe Cards, Interposers, and others) used in semiconductor testing.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Drilling Process Engineering

• Develop, optimize, and control mechanical drilling processes for PCB fabrication.
• Establish drilling parameters including spindle speeds, feed rates, stack heights, entry/backup materials, and tool selection.
• Monitor drilling performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance hole quality and productivity.
• Troubleshoot issues related to:
  • Burr formation
  • Smear
  • Breakout
  • Drill breakage
  • Hole wall quality
• Support new product introductions (NPI) by establishing drilling process requirements and capabilities.

Laser Drilling Process Engineering

• Develop and optimize UV and CO₂ laser drilling processes for HDI microvia applications.
• Monitor microvia quality and yields.
• Conduct and document process capability for a given material and via geometry.

Process Improvement & Quality

• Utilize SPC, DOE, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies to improve process capability.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, specifications, and control plans.
• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving tools:
  • 8D
  • Fishbone Analysis
  • 5 Why
  • FMEA
• Support internal and external audits related to manufacturing processes.
• Analyze process data and drive yield, quality, and productivity improvements.
• Establish KPIs and process monitoring systems for drilling operations.

Equipment & Maintenance Support

• Collaborate with maintenance teams to maximize equipment uptime and performance.
• Support installation, qualification, and acceptance of new drilling and laser equipment.
• Develop preventive maintenance and calibration requirements.
• Participate in equipment capability assessments and technology evaluations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with CAM, Lamination, Plating, Quality, and Production departments.
• Support design reviews and manufacturing feasibility assessments.
• Provide technical guidance and training to operators, technicians, and manufacturing personnel.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Education

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Related technical discipline

Experience

• 3+ years of PCB manufacturing experience preferred, but not mandatory.
• Experience with mechanical drilling and/or laser drilling processes in PCB fabrication is a plus.

Benefits Overview

• Global Bonus Program: Performance-based bonuses paid twice yearly.
• 401(k) Plan: Pre-tax retirement savings with company match.
• Medical, Dental & Vision: Multiple plan options including HMO, PPO, and HSA.
• Income Protection: Life, disability, and accident insurance at no cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care options.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free support for personal and work-related issues.
• Flexible Time Off: Accrual starts at hire, increases with service.
• Paid Holidays: 13 company holidays annually.

All Locations

• South Plainfield , New Jersey , United States
• § 60-300.5(a)(2)(3)(4) Equal opportunity clause. Details the job posting requirements.
• § 60-300.5(a)(6) Equal opportunity clause. All employment openings includes all positions except executive and senior management, those positions that will be filled from within the contractor's organization, and positions lasting three days or less. This term includes full‑time employment, temporary employment of more than three days' duration, and part‑time employment.

CCPA Notice for California Residents:

Notice for California Residents: We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with Advantest America, Inc., including some or all of the following categories of PI: identifiers and personal records (e.g., name, phone number, email address, employment history); commercial information (e.g., if we reimburse you for travel or other expenses during the application process); sensory information (e.g., recorded virtual interviews); professional or employment information (e.g., information provided in your resume and application, such as employment history); non‑public education records (e.g., educational institution transcripts and records); and inferences drawn from the above categories of PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing operations related to your potential employment. To view the Advantest Privacy Policy, visit https://www.advantest.com/privacy-policy.html. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at [e-mail].

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Information on race, gender and national origin will only be used for statistical and record keeping purposes, and will not be used in making any employment decisions. All information provided will be kept separate from your expression of interest. Providing this information is strictly voluntary, and you will not be subjected to any adverse action or treatment if you choose not to provide this information. If you do not choose to answer these questions, we ask that you select "Decline to Identify" for each question. Thank you for your voluntary cooperation.