Process Engineer-SMT

Spectrum Control; Delmar (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum Control is seeking a Process Engineer to act as a technical interface among Design Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality in an aerospace and defense environment. The role supports New Product Introduction, develops robust manufacturing processes, improves yield and productivity, and ensures smooth transfer to production.

You will provide hands-on support on the factory floor, drive continuous improvement, perform root cause analysis, and optimize processes to meet quality and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 3–10 years of experience in aerospace, defense, electronics, or other high‑reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting NPI‑to‑production transfers and manufacturing process development.
• Working knowledge of IPC‑A‑610, J‑STD‑001, AS9100, and related quality requirements.
• Experience with RCCA, CAPA, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience developing, qualifying, or supporting SMT electronics assembly processes, reflow soldering, and other special manufacturing processes preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) solutions to ensure successful production readiness.
• Develop, qualify, and optimize electronics manufacturing processes and automation solutions, including SMT assembly, reflow soldering, environmental screening, and other special processes, to improve yield, throughput, quality, and process capability.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, assembly procedures, and visual manufacturing aids.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical support to manufacturing operations, resolving process‑related issues and ensuring stable, repeatable production performance.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to quality, yield, throughput, and manufacturing process issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data and apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other data‑driven methodologies to improve process capability and product reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on first‑pass yield, scrap reduction, rework reduction, cycle‑time improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Support qualification and deployment of new equipment, tooling, fixtures, automation technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to improve manufacturability, reliability, and production efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, IPC, customer, and regulatory requirements through robust process controls, documentation, and participation in customer, supplier, and internal audits.

Skills

Aerospace industry experience

Manufacturing process development

Statistical Process Control

Root Cause Corrective Action

Lean Manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

IPC-A-610

J-STD-001

AS9100

Job description

At Spectrum Control, most departments operate on a 4‑day, 10‑hour work schedule in exchange for a 3-day weekend. We offer competitive wages and PTO, plus our benefits begin on day 1 of employment. Come join a workforce where we put you first!

JOB SUMMARY

The Process Engineer serves as a key technical interface between Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality within an aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), developing robust manufacturing processes, improving yield and productivity, and ensuring products are successfully transitioned into production. Process Engineer provides hands‑on support to manufacturing operations while driving continuous improvement, root cause investigations, and process optimization.

Essential Job Functions

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) solutions to ensure successful production readiness.
• Develop, qualify, and optimize electronics manufacturing processes and automation solutions, including SMT assembly, reflow soldering, environmental screening, and other special processes, to improve yield, throughput, quality, and process capability.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process flows, assembly procedures, and visual manufacturing aids.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical support to manufacturing operations, resolving process‑related issues and ensuring stable, repeatable production performance.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to quality, yield, throughput, and manufacturing process issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data and apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other data‑driven methodologies to improve process capability and product reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on first‑pass yield, scrap reduction, rework reduction, cycle‑time improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Support qualification and deployment of new equipment, tooling, fixtures, automation technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to improve manufacturability, reliability, and production efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, IPC, customer, and regulatory requirements through robust process controls, documentation, and participation in customer, supplier, and internal audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–10 years of experience in aerospace, defense, electronics, or other high‑reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting NPI‑to‑production transfers and manufacturing process development.
• Working knowledge of IPC‑A‑610, J‑STD‑001, AS9100, and related quality requirements.
• Experience with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), CAPA, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience developing, qualifying, or supporting SMT electronics assembly processes, reflow soldering, and other special manufacturing processes preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based in a regulated electronics manufacturing environment supporting aerospace and defense programs and requires regular presence on the production floor as well as close collaboration with cross‑functional teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60‑1.35(c)

Third‑Party Recruiters

Please note, that per Spectrum Control Policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our values and expectations. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Spectrum Control will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. If you or your agency are interested in becoming an approved vendor please contact [e-mail].