SMT Engineer

CelLink; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock option

Job summary

CelLink is seeking an SMT Engineer in California to develop and scale manufacturing processes for flex-circuit interconnects used in high-density server and rack systems. You will own reflow soldering profiles, equipment setup, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure reliability and manufacturability.

The role requires hands-on expertise in electronics manufacturing, data analysis, and CAD-driven tooling design, with opportunities to influence design-for-manufacturing and scalable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in process engineering for electronics manufacturing, ideally in high-speed interconnects, flex circuits, or PCB production.
• Experience with data center or high-current electrical component manufacturing is a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of flexible circuit manufacturing, roll-to-roll processes, or high-reliability electronics.
• Familiarity with power interconnects, busbars, or cable harness replacements used in data center systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Python preferred) and engineering software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Minitab, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to lead cross-functional investigations and corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills for technical reporting and collaboration.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on, and highly technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and tune reflow soldering profiles for advanced power-electronic assemblies, including large copper mass and mixed SMT/through-hole designs.
• Own the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of reflow ovens, solder paste printing, and other process equipment.
• Analyze thermal profiles and cross-sections to correlate process parameters with solder joint reliability.
• Develop and optimize lamination and bonding processes, including press setup, adhesive cure control, and layer alignment.
• Diagnose and correct leakage, delamination, and voiding issues in laminated or sealed cooling-plate assemblies.
• Design and release tooling, coupons, and test fixtures in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) to support process development and validation.
• Interpret and create engineering drawings and GD&T to ensure correct fit, form, and function.
• Define and execute DOE and characterization tests, including electrical, mechanical, thermal, and visual inspection.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions across soldering, lamination, and bonding processes.
• Collaborate with Design, Quality, and Operations to transition new processes into scalable production.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and adhere to all safety and environmental standards.
• Demonstrate CelLink’s core values of integrity, teamwork, self-discipline, and technical excellence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support evolving business needs.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Minitab

Excel

JMP

Python

Job description

CelLink is redefining how power and data move through the world’s most advanced electronics, from electric vehicles to hyperscale data centers.

As an SMT Engineer, you'll be at the center of that transformation, developing and scaling manufacturing processes for flex-circuit-based interconnects used in high-density server and rack systems. These circuits enable megawatt-class power delivery and ultra-clean signal integrity for next-generation AI and data infrastructure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and tune reflow soldering profiles for advanced power-electronic assemblies, including large copper mass and mixed SMT/through-hole designs.
• Own the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of reflow ovens, solder paste printing, and other process equipment.
• Analyze thermal profiles and cross-sections to correlate process parameters with solder joint reliability.
• Develop and optimize lamination and bonding processes, including press setup, adhesive cure control, and layer alignment.
• Diagnose and correct leakage, delamination, and voiding issues in laminated or sealed cooling-plate assemblies.
• Design and release tooling, coupons, and test fixtures in CAD (SolidWorks preferred) to support process development and validation.
• Interpret and create engineering drawings and GD&T to ensure correct fit, form, and function.
• Define and execute DOE and characterization tests, including electrical, mechanical, thermal, and visual inspection.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions across soldering, lamination, and bonding processes.
• Collaborate with Design, Quality, and Operations to transition new processes into scalable production.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and adhere to all safety and environmental standards.
• Demonstrate CelLink’s core values of integrity, teamwork, self-discipline, and technical excellence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support evolving business needs.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3-7 years of experience in process engineering for electronics manufacturing, ideally in high-speed interconnects, flex circuits, or PCB production.
• Experience with data center or high-current electrical component manufacturing is a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of flexible circuit manufacturing, roll-to-roll processes, or high-reliability electronics.
• Familiarity with power interconnects, busbars, or cable harness replacements used in data center systems.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Python preferred) and engineering software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Minitab, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to lead cross-functional investigations and corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills for technical reporting and collaboration.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on, and highly technical environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cooling plates, liquid-cooled assemblies, or leak-test methods (helium, pressure decay, bubble, or dye).
• Background in high-current or high-voltage electronics, such as busbars, power modules, or battery interconnects.
• Familiarity with thermal characterization, pull/shear testing, or cross-section analysis.
• Exposure to laser soldering, selective soldering, or bonded multilayer assemblies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Working Conditions/Hours

Salaried Exempt

$130,000-$160,000 + Stock Option, with the final salary determined by experience and level.

Physical Demands - Office and Manufacturing Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, pull/push, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment -

Includes both a typical office environment, with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, and a shop environment, with exposure to high noise levels from operating machines, physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts, nuisance dust, and skin exposure to chemicals used to run/maintain machines.

PPE-

May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, gloves, hair nets, masks, & clean-room frocks while adhering to the prescribed safety procedures.

https://www.cellinktechnologies.com/privacy-policy

We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates are essential to our success. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees while building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. CelLink participates in the E-Verify program in specific locations as required by law.

CelLink was founded in 2012 and entered volume production in 2018. CelLink provides electrical systems to the world's leading automotive OEMs & EV manufacturers, data center developers, and stationary power companies. The company has raised approximately $315M in funding through private investment and multiple grants from the US Department of Energy. CelLink's investors include 3M, Atreides, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, D1 Capital, Fidelity, Fontinalis Partners, Ford, Franklin Templeton, Lear, Park West, SK Telecom, Standard Investments, T. Rowe Price, Tinicum, and Whale Rock