SMT Process Engineer – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

J&T Business Consulting; Seymour (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

J&T Business Consulting in Seymour, CT is seeking an SMT Process Engineer to lead end-to-end process development for high-mix electronics manufacturing. You will own line efficiency, yield optimization, and NPI readiness across SMT platforms, mentoring junior staff and driving continuous improvement.

The role emphasizes IPC standards, Lean Six Sigma methods, and cross-functional collaboration with design, quality, and equipment teams to deliver reliable production solutions.

Qualifications

• Typically 3–7 years of SMT process engineering experience in electronics contract manufacturing (EMS).
• Strong knowledge of IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards and soldering processes.
• Experience with Lean/Six Sigma problem solving and line optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, execution, and continuous optimization of end-to-end SMT lines including printing, placement, reflow, SPI, AOI, and X-ray inspection.
• Own process capability analysis, first-pass yield tracking, defect reduction, and throughput improvement using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across operations, manufacturing engineering, QA, and maintenance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma Green Belt

IPC-A-610 knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

Aegis MES

CAD tools

Gerber viewers

CAM software (Valor, CAM350)

Job description

SMT Process Engineer – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

Seymour, United States | Posted on 10/16/2026

SMT Process Engineer – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS / PCBA)

Location: Seymour, CT

Position Type: Full-Time

Industry: Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) / Contract Manufacturing

Career Path: Succession track to a formal engineering leadership role within 1–2 years

Position Overview

The SMT Process Engineer serves as a technical subject-matter expert and strategic contributor within the Engineering & Technology group. Operating in a high-reliability, high-mix electronics manufacturing environment, this individual is responsible for leading process development, yield optimization, and line efficiency across SMT platforms, driving New Product Introduction (NPI) readiness, and mentoring junior technical personnel.

Designed with a clear trajectory toward formal engineering leadership, this position requires technical depth, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to turn complex manufacturing challenges into reliable production solutions.

SMT Process Ownership & Yield Optimization

Lead the design, execution, and continuous optimization of end-to-end SMT lines, including solder paste printing, high-speed component placement, reflow profiling, SPI, AOI, and X-ray inspection.

Own process capability ( $C_{pk}$ ) analysis, first-pass yield tracking, defect rate reduction, and throughput enhancement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

Author, maintain, and standardize robust engineering documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), detailed work instructions, process control plans, and PFMEAs.

Engineering Leadership & Mentorship

Provide technical mentorship, coaching, and direction to junior process engineers and manufacturing technicians.

Serve as a cross-functional technical driver, bridging operations, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and equipment maintenance.

Demonstrate technical leadership and initiative across high-impact capital and process projects in preparation for formal management responsibilities.

NPI & Customer Technical Engagement

Partner with customer design teams, program management, and internal engineering to lead Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) reviews and ensure smooth production ramp-ups.

Analyze PCB layouts, panelization data, and Gerber files to guarantee assembly compliance, minimize solder defects, and streamline process flow.

Act as a direct technical liaison with clients, communicating process capabilities, design recommendations, and yield improvement strategies.

Evaluate, specify, and assist in procuring advanced SMT machinery, feeders, conveyors, and automated inspection platforms.

Direct equipment installation, calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ validation, and recipe standardization for new tooling and capital equipment.

Design or oversee the fabrication of custom tooling, carrier pallets, and assembly fixtures to improve floor throughput.

Deliver real-time technical troubleshooting on production lines to resolve process anomalies and minimize machine downtime.

Lead structured root-cause investigations (8D, A3, DMAIC) and implement robust Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to resolve component placement or solder escapes.

Partner with maintenance teams to define and refine preventative maintenance schedules for line equipment.

Project Execution & Industry Standards

Manage engineering project milestones, budgets, and deliverable timelines, presenting structured KPI reports to executive leadership.

Ensure all soldering, assembly, rework, and inspection processes strictly adhere to IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 quality standards.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering required.

Professional Experience

Minimum 3 to 7 years of hands-on SMT process engineering experience within electronics contract manufacturing (EMS), preferably in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume setting.

In-depth operational and programming knowledge of industry-standard SMT equipment (e.g., DEK, Panasonic, Fuji, Heller, Koh Young, CyberOptics).

Quality & Technical Standards

Comprehensive working knowledge of IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards, component packages, and polarity verification.

Demonstrated mastery of Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, 8D, A3, Root Cause Analysis).

Systems & Software (Preferred)

Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent preferred.

Hands-on experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems / shop-floor tracking platforms (such as Aegis MES).

Familiarity with CAD tools, Gerber viewers, and CAM engineering software (e.g., Valor, CAM350).

Core Competencies

Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving ability, disciplined project management, proactive cross-functional communication, and the capacity to lead technical initiatives with minimal direct supervision.