PCBA Manufacturing Engineer

W3Global; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

W3Global is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead process development for PCB assembly, ensuring high yield and robust production. You will review designs for manufacturability, program SMT equipment, and drive root cause analysis for defects.

Ideal candidates have BS in engineering and 5+ years in aerospace/defense or medical PCB manufacturing, with strong communication and project planning skills. This on-site role in California offers cross-functional collaboration and detailed

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or related discipline; Electronics/mechanical preferred.
• 5+ years manufacturing engineering experience in PCB assembly/test for aerospace/defense or medical.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience with process design, development, and project planning.
• Experience in maintaining drawings, procedures, routers, and BOMs with configuration control.

Responsibilities

• Define and optimize PCB manufacturing processes to maximize yield.
• Review PCB designs for manufacturability (DFM).
• Program and support SMT/PCB manufacturing equipment (SMT pick-and-place, AOI, X-ray).
• Investigate defects, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions (CAR).
• Create and update work instructions, process specs, and BOMs.
• Develop manufacturing routes, BOMs, and tooling work orders in the MRP system.
• Provide cross-functional support between design engineering and production.

Skills

Technical communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Project planning

Education

BS in engineering

Tools

AEGIS

CAM Software

MS Word

Excel

Access

CAD software

Job description

Role And Responsibilities

• Process Development & Optimization - Developing and defining manufacturing processes (e.g., solder paste printing, SMT placement, reflow oven profiles) to maximize yield.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)- Reviewing PCB designs to ensure they can be assembled reliably and efficiently.
• Equipment Support: Selecting and programming manufacturing equipment, such as SMT pick-and-place machines, automated optical inspection (AOI), and X-ray systems.
• Root Cause Analysis: Investigating assembly defects, performing failure analysis (e.g., BGA rework), and implementing corrective actions (CAR).
• Documentation Control: Creating and updating work instructions (WI), process specifications, and Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Provide mechanical sustaining engineer expertise to help achieve a more robust and producible product. Process and Product development.
• Maintain accurate documentation regarding testing techniques and results
• Facilitate the creation of new advance product assembly and layouts with AutoCAD and SolidWorks and AEGIS Software.
• Create engineer change notice (ECN) and incorporate changes per red lines
• Implement release of all necessary documents to manufacturing and provide maintenance through ECO process
• Plans manufacturing processes including sequence of operations. Supports liaison engineering function in all steps of the manufacturing process
• Using parts lists and related drawings from customers, creates Bill of Materials (BOM) and enters the information in the company MRP system.
• Interfaces with customers to determine or clarify product specifications and requirements
• Using parts lists, related drawings, and customer specifications, develops manufacturing bills of materials, routings and tooling work orders in the company MRP system.
• Develops the most efficient manufacturing methods and tooling required for the production of the product, to the applicable customer quality standards and specifications in accordance with IPC & J-STD-001 standard.
• Confers with management, production control, quality, and shop personnel regarding current manufacturing capabilities, manufacturing improvements, production schedules, and other considerations to facilitate production processes.
• Reviews customer purchase order changes, drawing and specification changes, for incorporation and cost impact.
• Meets established standards for productivity and quality. Responsible for supporting and ensuring compliance to latest Quality Management Systems
• Must contribute to a positive work environment. Performs many tasks that may be required to support customer expectations and company goals.
• Assisting where applicable the Implementation of ISO-9000, AS9100, ISO 13485 Certification
• Assist with Disposition of internal and external MRB, CARS, SCARS
• Additional duties as required
• Work to release all required documentation to Doc control, Quality, and Production.
• ITAR/Export company requirements are in place.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Minimum BS degree in engineering or related discipline, preferably in Electronics / electrical and mechanical engineering OR equivalent experience working as a Manufacturing Engineer in a PCBA SMT assembly and test environment.
• Experience of 5 years, Manufacturing Engineering experience servicing aerospace/defense, medical, and semiconductor customers.
• Strong verbal and written technical communication skills.
• Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software including MS Word, Excel, Access; CAD software knowledge required (AEGIS preferred).
• Strong analytical, fault isolation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to details required.
• Experience in process design, development and project planning is helpful.
• Experience in preparing and maintaining drawings, procedures, process routers and Bills of Materials with full documentation and configuration control required.
• Must understand production flow and be capable of logically developing planning within this flow that correctly and efficiently builds product.
• Demonstrated abilities in developing and executing Statistical Process Control for Manufacturing are required.

Additional Notes

Responsible for creating job routers and detailed assembly work instructions following all applicable Manufacturing Engineering procedures and Optimizes the assembly process for printed circuit boards (PCBA) to ensure high yield, quality, and efficiency. Key responsibilities include creating production documentation, driving Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, programming SMT equipment, troubleshooting, and reducing costs. They act as a bridge between design engineering and production, overseeing SMT and through-hole processes

You Should Be Proficient In

• PCB Assembly (Printed Circuit Board Assembly)
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Aerospace Manufacturing

Machines & Technologies You'll Use

• SMT Machine (Panasonic, Mydata, Yamaha)
• CAM Software