Smt Process Engineer

Actalent; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Plano, TX seeks an SMT Process Engineer to advance PCB assembly and surface-mount manufacturing. You will develop and refine manufacturing processes, support production equipment, troubleshoot issues, and help meet productivity, quality, and cost goals while aligning with customer, quality, safety, and industry requirements.

You’ll contribute to NPI programs, ramp activities, and process validation, creating documentation, PFMEAs, control plans, and process instructions.

Qualifications

• 37+ years of engineering experience in SMT/PCBA manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of SMT processes and PCB assembly.
• Experience with solder paste, SPI, AOI, X-ray, and traceability systems.
• Ability to create/validate thermal/reflow profiles (lead-free and leaded).
• Hands-on programming/maintenance of SMT equipment.
• Ability to diagnose defects and drive corrective actions.
• Knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001) and ESD control.
• Experience with MES/ERP and manufacturing documentation systems.
• Develop SOPs, PFMEAs, control plans, and process docs.
• Background in SMT process development and ramp-up.

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and improve SMT/PCBA processes focusing on quality, throughput, cost, and stability.
• Support stencil printing, SPI, AOI, X-ray, placement, reflow, and soldering.
• Improve equipment utilization and line balancing.
• Troubleshoot soldering defects and placement issues affecting quality.
• Create and maintain work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, and process docs.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Support NPI programs and production ramp.
• Develop reflow profiles for leaded and lead-free solder.
• Track FPY, scrap, OEE, and defect reduction.
• Assist preventive and predictive maintenance.

Skills

SMT/PCBA knowledge

Solder paste processes

SPI/AOI/X-ray inspection

Thermal/reflow profiling

SMT equipment programming

Root cause analysis

IPC requirements

MES/ERP systems

Documentation proficiency

Process optimization

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Mechanical Eng

Tools

Panasonic NPM

Yamaha SMT

Fuji SMT

ASM

Juki

Universal SMT

Job description

SMT Process Engineer

Position Overview

We are seeking an SMT Process Engineer to support and improve PCB assembly and surface-mount manufacturing operations within an electronics production environment. This position will be responsible for developing and refining manufacturing processes, supporting production equipment, troubleshooting process and quality issues, and helping the operation achieve its productivity, quality, and cost objectives. The engineer will also support new product introductions and production ramp activities while ensuring manufacturing processes remain aligned with applicable customer, quality, safety, and industry requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes supporting SMT and PCBA production with an emphasis on quality, throughput, cost, and process stability.


• Provide engineering support across SMT operations including stencil printing, SPI, component placement, reflow, AOI, X-ray inspection, and selective or wave soldering.


• Improve equipment utilization and production efficiency through SMT program optimization, feeder configuration, line balancing, and other process improvements.


• Troubleshoot PCB assembly and manufacturing problems involving soldering defects, component placement, thermal/reflow profiles, board handling, and overall product quality.


• Prepare and maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, SOPs, PFMEAs, control plans, process documentation, and engineering change records.


• Perform structured root cause investigations and implement corrective actions for manufacturing and quality-related problems.


• Partner with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to improve manufacturing performance and product reliability.


• Provide engineering support for NPI programs, prototype builds, process validation, and the transition of SMT/PCBA products into production.


• Create, test, and optimize reflow profiles for leaded and lead-free soldering applications.


• Track manufacturing performance and identify improvement opportunities involving FPY, scrap, equipment downtime, OEE, and defect reduction.


• Assist with preventive and predictive maintenance efforts to maintain consistent SMT equipment performance and reliability.


• Identify and recommend improvements involving tooling, fixtures, manufacturing processes, and automation.


• Provide engineering support during internal audits, customer audits, and other applicable compliance activities.


• Maintain manufacturing processes in accordance with ESD requirements, IPC standards, applicable IATF-related requirements, and workplace safety standards.


• Provide training and technical guidance to production operators and technicians on SMT equipment, manufacturing procedures, process improvements, and best practices.

Required Experience & Skills

• 37+ years of engineering experience supporting SMT and/or PCBA manufacturing within an electronics production environment.


• Strong working knowledge of surface-mount manufacturing processes and printed circuit board assembly.


• Practical experience working with solder paste processes, SPI, AOI, X-ray inspection, and manufacturing traceability systems.


• Experience creating, adjusting, and validating thermal/reflow profiles for both lead-free and leaded solder processes.


• Hands-on experience programming, supporting, or maintaining SMT production equipment and associated manufacturing machinery.


• Demonstrated ability to diagnose manufacturing defects, determine root cause, and develop corrective actions.


• Working knowledge of IPC requirements, including IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, along with ESD control practices.


• Experience utilizing MES, ERP, and manufacturing documentation systems.


• Ability to develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, and other detailed manufacturing/process documentation.


• Strong background in process engineering and process development within SMT assembly and PCBA manufacturing.

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.


• Experience with SMT equipment such as Panasonic NPM is preferred. Experience with Yamaha, Fuji, ASM, Juki, Universal, or comparable SMT platforms is also applicable.


• Familiarity with additional electronics manufacturing operations including box build, dispensing equipment, conformal coating, and PCB soldering.


• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing quality requirements and methodologies such as IATF-related practices, APQP, PPAP, and PFMEA.


• Prior experience working with AOI, SPI, X-ray inspection, and production traceability systems is preferred.


• Understanding of structured problem-solving methods and automotive-oriented quality expectations.


• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-moving manufacturing environment experiencing production growth or ramp-up while supporting NPI activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Plano, TX.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $50.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Plano, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 7, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Plano,TX.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.