SMT Programmer

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering; Florida; On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. is seeking an experienced SMT Programmer to support aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing operations.

You will program, set up, optimize, and troubleshoot Europlacer and DDM Novastar SMT equipment, and support PCB assemblies from NPI through production. You will generate machine programs from BOMs, Gerber files, and CAD data, and collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to ensure accurate placement and high yields in a

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience programming and operating automated SMT pick-and-place equipment.
• Strong experience with Europlacer and/or DDM Novastar equipment.
• Experience creating SMT programs from BOM, Gerber, CAD, and XY/centroid data.
• Understanding of SMT process including solder paste printing, placement, reflow, and inspection.
• Ability to read assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, datasheets, and manufacturing docs.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, debug, and optimize programs for Europlacer and DDM Novastar equipment.
• Program and support Europlacer software including offline programming capabilities.
• Program and support DDM Novastar equipment and SMTrue Run-Optimize workflows.
• Generate machine programs from BOMs, Gerber files, CAD data, centroid files, and drawings.
• Prepare manufacturing data with Siemens Valor Process Preparation.
• Maintain libraries, feeder setups, and nozzle/polarity configurations.
• Set up and support SMT production equipment and first-article builds.
• Support NPI and transition new PCB assemblies into production.
• Troubleshoot machine, feeder, and vision issues; optimize changeovers.

Skills

SMT programming

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional teamwork

Data interpretation

Process optimization

PCB/SMT knowledge

Tools

Europlacer

DDM Novastar

Siemens Valor Process Preparation

Offline programming

Machine vision

Job description

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. (CME) is seeking an experienced SMT Programmer to support our aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing operations.

CME manufactures high-reliability printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), electrical and electronic assemblies, cable and wire harnesses, test equipment, and sensor-based products for aerospace, defense, and other demanding applications.

The SMT Programmer will be responsible for programming, setting up, optimizing, and troubleshooting CME's Europlacer and DDM Novastar SMT equipment and supporting PCB assembly from new product introduction through production.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, debug, and optimize programs for Europlacer and DDM Novastar pick-and-place equipment.
• Program and support Europlacer equipment using applicable Europlacer programming software, including offline programming capabilities.
• Program and support DDM Novastar automated placement equipment, including SMTrue Run-Optimize or applicable Novastar software.
• Generate machine programs from BOMs, Gerber files, CAD data, centroid/XY placement files, assembly drawings, and customer documentation.
• Use Siemens Valor Process Preparation or similar software to prepare manufacturing data and support SMT programming.
• Create and maintain component libraries, package definitions, feeder setups, nozzle assignments, fiducials, placement coordinates, and component orientation/polarity.
• Set up and support SMT production equipment, including pick-and-place machines, solder paste/stencil printing, reflow, and inspection equipment.
• Perform program verification and first-article builds to confirm component placement, orientation, polarity, and assembly accuracy.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and transition new PCB assemblies into production.
• Troubleshoot placement errors, machine vision issues, feeder problems, component recognition issues, and other SMT process problems.
• Optimize machine programs, feeder arrangements, and production setups to improve quality, efficiency, throughput, and changeover time.
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Production to resolve manufacturing defects and process issues.
• Support root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Implement engineering changes and maintain accurate program revisions, setup documentation, and manufacturing instructions.
• Follow applicable ESD, FOD, quality, safety, and workmanship requirements.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience programming and operating automated SMT pick‑and‑place equipment.
• Experience with Europlacer and/or DDM Novastar equipment strongly preferred.
• Experience creating SMT programs from BOM, Gerber, CAD, and XY/centroid data.
• Strong understanding of the SMT manufacturing process, including solder paste printing, component placement, reflow, and inspection.
• Knowledge of electronic components, package types, polarity/orientation, feeders, nozzles, fiducials, and machine vision systems.
• Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, component datasheets, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, and Production personnel.

Preferred Experience

• Europlacer programming software / ii‑RC
• DDM Novastar SMTrue Run‑Optimize
• Siemens Valor Process Preparation
• Aerospace or defense electronics manufacturing
• High‑mix/low‑volume PCB assembly
• AOI and/or SPI programming
• SMT process development and reflow profiling
• IPC‑A‑610 and J‑STD‑001
• AS9100 or ISO 9001 manufacturing environments
• Fine‑pitch components, BGAs, QFNs, and other complex SMT packages
• NPI and First Article Inspection
• Root‑cause analysis and corrective action

Position Details

Job Type: Full‑Time Department: Manufacturing / Engineering Work Location: On‑site

The successful candidate will be a hands‑on SMT professional capable of taking engineering and customer data and turning it into accurate, production‑ready programs for CME's Europlacer and DDM Novastar equipment, while troubleshooting production issues and supporting the manufacture of high‑reliability aerospace and defense electronics.

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary: $57000 - $65000 per year