SMT Process Engineer

aiTWorks; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

aiTWorks is seeking an experienced SMT Process Engineer / Technical Center Lead to guide its technical center operations and customer applications in the United States. You will lead demonstrations, evaluations, proof-of-concept builds, and troubleshoot complex SMT equipment and production-line issues.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on SMT process engineering experience, advanced troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work with smart factory solutions and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years SMT process engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with SMT placement equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Technical Center operations, including scheduling and equipment readiness.
• Plan and lead customer demonstrations, technical evaluations, product trials, and POC builds.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define SMT requirements.
• Configure, program, operate, and optimize SMT placement equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, software, and process issues.
• Maintain SMT equipment, feeders, tooling, and spare parts.
• Demonstrate smart factory technologies and Industry 4.0 connectivity.
• Prepare technical reports and customer documentation.
• Support major industry trade shows and events.

Skills

SMT process

Troubleshooting

Customer demonstrations

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SMT placement equipment

Industry 4.0

MES connectivity

Job description

SMT Process Engineer / Technical Center Lead

Industry: Electronics Manufacturing / SMT Equipment

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

A well-established Japanese manufacturer of advanced SMT equipment is seeking an experienced SMT Process Engineer / Technical Center Lead to support its technical center operations and customer applications.

This position will lead customer demonstrations, technical evaluations, proof-of-concept projects, and troubleshooting of complex SMT equipment and production-line issues.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on SMT process engineering experience, excellent troubleshooting skills, and the ability to work with advanced manufacturing technologies and smart factory solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily Technical Center operations, including scheduling, equipment readiness, safety, and customer demonstrations.
• Plan and lead customer demonstrations, technical evaluations, product trials, training sessions, and proof-of-concept builds.
• Work closely with customers and internal teams to understand technical requirements and develop effective SMT solutions.
• Configure, program, operate, and optimize SMT placement equipment and related production-line systems.
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, software, programming, material-handling, and process-related issues.
• Maintain SMT equipment, feeders, tooling, software, spare parts, and other technical center resources.
• Demonstrate smart factory technologies, including Industry 4.0, MES connectivity, production data, and automation solutions.
• Analyze equipment and production performance, identify root causes, and recommend process improvements.
• Prepare technical reports, process recommendations, training materials, and customer documentation.
• Support major industry trade shows and technical events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in SMT process engineering or a closely related technical field.
• Strong hands-on experience with SMT placement equipment and production-line processes.
• Proven ability to independently lead customer demonstrations and technical evaluations.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills involving mechanical, electrical, software, programming, and process-related issues.
• Knowledge of smart factory technologies and advanced manufacturing systems.
• Ability to analyze equipment performance, identify technical issues, and implement effective solutions.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and work with hand and automated tools for extended periods.
• Ability to perform physical activities such as bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching equipment controls.
• Ability to occasionally lift, move, push, or pull up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.