SMT Lead Operator: Hands-On Manufacturing Engineer

Patton Electronics Co.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Patton Electronics Co. seeks a hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own the SMT cell end-to-end, including planning, programming, setup, operation, quality, and continuous improvement.

This player‑coach role leads daily SMT production and drives process engineering including oven profiling, documentation, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy. The role requires 3+ years in automated electronics, strong IPC‑610 knowledge, and hands‑on leadership of

Qualifications

• 3+ years in automated electronics assembly with SMT programming/operation.
• Proficiency with stencil print, placement, reflow profiling, and AOI.
• Strong soldering/inspection skills to IPC-A-610; capable of basic SMT rework.
• Experience with work instructions, routings, and ERP systems.
• Ability to lead operators while performing hands-on work.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute daily SMT schedule; organize kitting, feeder setup, first-article builds, and line changeovers.
• Operate and oversee stencil printer, pick-and-place, reflow, AOI, and stencil cleaning per manufacturer guidance and Patton procedures.
• Perform first-article inspection, AOI review/verification, and in-process checks to IPC-A-610 standards.
• Train and mentor operators/technicians; enforce ESD, safety, and 5S.
• Develop and maintain SMT processes including solder paste selection, print parameters, placement optimization, reflow profiling, and AOI programming.
• Generate and maintain work instructions, setup docs, and process control plans; drive DFM with Design Engineering.
• Specify, program, and improve automated equipment; define preventive maintenance and calibration plans.
• Establish and sustain standards/routings in ERP and ensure BOM/routing alignment.
• Lead root‑cause/corrective action for defects and drive yield/cycle‑time improvements.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and IPC-A-610/IPC-WHMA-A-620.

Skills

SMT programming

Line leadership

Process improvement

Quality control

ERP experience

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Stencil printer

Pick-and-place

Reflow oven

AOI

DFM tooling

ERP systems

Job description

Patton Electronics Co. seeks a hands-on SMT Lead Operator & Manufacturing Engineer to own the SMT cell end-to-end, including planning, programming, setup, operation, quality, and continuous improvement.

This player‑coach role leads daily SMT production and drives process engineering including oven profiling, documentation, DFM, routings/BOM integrity, and equipment maintenance strategy. The role requires 3+ years in automated electronics, strong IPC‑610 knowledge, and hands‑on leadership of