Principal SMT Process Engineer

Prattwhitney; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 107,500 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Short‑term disability

Long‑term disability

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Principal SMT Process Engineer for the Advanced Products Center in McKinney, TX. This on-site role focuses on leading SMT process development, yield improvement, and DFM feedback, in a cleanroom (ISO Class 8).

Salary range USD 107,500 – 204,500. You will collaborate with product, quality, reliability, and manufacturing teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive capital equipment decisions while advancing next‑generation designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 8+ years of relevant SMT/Manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years SMT process engineering in high‑reliability settings (aerospace/defense/medical/automotive).
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification preferred.
• Proficiency in SPC, DOE, and RCCA.
• Strong data‑driven problem solving and ability to identify key parameters.
• Technical writing for operator instructions and vendor statements of work.
• Proven ability to lead projects and drive results.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site support for high-volume, high-mix production with equipment, process, and material issues.
• Collaborate with design, product, quality, reliability, and manufacturing engineers on manufacturing.
• Develop and implement materials, processes, and improvements using SPC, DOE, and RCCA.
• Evaluate materials and processes and coordinate with suppliers to resolve issues.
• Lead SMT process development: paste deposition, dispensing, pick-and-place, reflow, and inspection.
• Drive yield improvement via data analysis and root-cause methodologies.
• Provide DFM feedback and ensure robust product designs.
• Support new product builds with automated equipment and innovative solutions.
• Drive capital equipment selection and integration to meet current/future needs.
• Mentor junior engineers and communicate across cross-functional teams.
• Spend significant time in cleanroom following ESD protocols.

Skills

Problem solving

Data-driven

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt

Tools

SPC

DOE

RCCA

Job description

Principal SMT Process Engineer – Advanced Products Center (APC) Manufacturing Engineering.

Job Overview

Location: McKinney, Texas, USA. Work onsite in a cleanroom environment (ISO Class 8). Salary range USD 107,500 – 204,500.

Responsibilities

• Provide on‑site support for high‑volume, high‑mix production, addressing factory equipment, processes, materials, and product challenges to ensure efficient operations.
• Work hand‑in‑hand with product, quality, reliability, and manufacturing engineers on product manufacturing.
• Develop and implement materials, processes, process improvements, and production support using statistical process control, experimental designs, material analysis, mechanical design analysis, and root cause analysis.
• Evaluate materials, equipment and processes (qualification, acceptance testing, specification development) and interface with internal and external suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Lead development, optimization, and control of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) processes: paste deposition, paste and epoxy dispensing, pick‑and‑place, reflow, and inspection (SPI, AOI, X‑ray).
• Drive yield improvement initiatives using data analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and root‑cause methodologies.
• Collaborate with Design and Product Engineers to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback and ensure robust product designs.
• Support new product builds, often using automated equipment, and develop innovative solutions for next‑generation product designs.
• Drive process improvement projects to enhance factory productivity by integrating new technologies, qualifying new materials, and optimizing workflows.
• Evaluate, select, and integrate capital equipment to meet current production demands and future business needs.
• Communicate technical information effectively across cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment and successful execution of initiatives.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers and technicians; act as a subject‑matter expert (SME).
• Spend up to 6+ hours per day in a cleanroom environment, adhering to cleanroom protocols and electrostatic discharge (ESD) procedures; work primarily during the day shift (6AM‑9AM).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Manufacturing/Process Engineering, preferably in high reliability manufacturing environments (aerospace, defense, medical, automotive).
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and root cause corrective action (RCCA).
• Strong problem‑solving skills using data‑driven approaches and experience identifying key process parameters.
• Proficiency in technical writing for operator instructions, process and material qualification reports, and equipment vendor statements of work.
• Proven ability to lead projects, direct activities, and drive results.

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value safety, trust, respect, accountability, collaboration, and innovation. This role offers competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, parental leave, paid time off, holidays, and potential incentive compensation programs based on performance. Relocation assistance is not available.

Employment Information

This is a U.S.-based role. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the role, function, and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RTX is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in compliance with Section503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.