Senior Process Engineer

Brightpath Associates LLC; Town of Germantown (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightpath Associates LLC in Wisconsin seeks a Sr. SMT Process / Manufacturing Engineer to lead manufacturability of new products and optimize SMT operations.

You will partner with Engineering, Quality, Production and Supply Chain to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals, while driving design for manufacturability, process improvement, and the adoption of new technologies. This role combines strategic project leadership with hands‑on engineering work, ideal for a seasoned manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years in a manufacturing environment, preferably SMT.
• Strong background in NPD, DFM, process optimization, and cost reduction.
• Experience with SMT processes and equipment, including paste printing, placement, reflow, inspection, and process controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead design for manufacturing initiatives on new and current products cross-functionally.
• Define equipment scope and lead suppliers to enable new product success.
• Address design gaps via ECNs, DEVs, and PCNs to sustain quality and improvement.
• Develop critical quality controls using PFMEA and verification techniques.

Skills

SMT Experience

DFM

NPD

Process Optimization

Cross-functional Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering

Tools

SMT Equipment

ECNs/PCNs

Job description

To “align well with the position,” they would need to local to our area and have senior level experience with SMT, working in a similar capacity

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Sr. SMT Process / Manufacturing Engineer serves as a technical leader within our electronics manufacturing operation, partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain to bring new products from concept through production. This role is responsible for ensuring designs are manufacturable, scalable, and capable of meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

In addition to supporting new product development (NPD), you'll lead process optimization initiatives across our SMT operation, analyzing performance data, reducing defects and scrap, improving cycle times, and evaluating new technologies that enhance manufacturing capability. This position combines strategic project leadership with hands-on engineering work, making it ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while influencing the future direction of manufacturing.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

You're a hands-on manufacturing professional with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably SMT. You have a strong background in new product introduction, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), process optimization, and continuous improvement, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve quality, throughput, and cost.

Experience with SMT manufacturing processes and equipment is highly desirable, including an understanding of solder paste printing, component placement, reflow, inspection, and process controls. You're a data-driven problem solver who can influence cross-functional teams, drive improvements, and support decisions related to process changes, capital equipment, and new technologies.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

You will INNOVATE by:

• Collaborating, leading, defining, and implementing design for manufacturing principles on new and current product initiatives cross-functionally to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, or Cost.
• Defining equipment, tooling, and fixturing scope leading internal and/or external suppliers to ensure success on new and current product.
• Addressing product and process design gaps through Engineering Change Notifications (ECNs), Deviations (DEVs), and Process Change Notifications (PCNs) to promote quality, continuous improvement, and countermeasures.
• Defining, developing, and implementing critical quality controls using PFMEA thinking and verification techniques to support current and new product development (NPD).
• Actively participating in the NPD process representing SMT as a core team member.
• Researching, testing, and implementing the latest manufacturing technologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

You will EXPLORE by:

• Coaching or leading PDCA problem-solving to drive zone improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Spearheading the development and implementation of Lean manufacturing strategies to improve efficiency and flow in the zone.
• Coaching and leading process improvement teams on analysis and implementation while maintaining documentation to eliminate non-value-added processes.
• Defining critical project criteria and plans to recommend process improvements with payback justifications.
• Working with zones to support improvements from the top down; mentoring associates driving improvements from the bottom up.

You will PERFORM by:

• Directing and assisting technicians with setup, modification, programming, and validation of process equipment and production lines to support current and new product.
• Ensuring product and process designs promote a sustainable quality output within a safe working environment that meets delivery expectations.
• Developing technical competency in areas of specialization.
• Sharing knowledge and supporting other engineers and technicians on more complex problems or improvements.
• Working with the entire team to standardize and share J.W.S. and industry best practices.