Staff Engineer, PCBA DFM, Hardware

Google; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 171,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff DfM/SMT Engineer to drive PCB assembly design for its vast consumer hardware portfolio, including phones, watches, and wearables. You will own the SMT process integration roadmap, qualify next-generation component technologies, and lead high-stakes failure analysis during product ramps, partnering with global contract manufacturers to ensure reliable, scalable production.

As a technical authority, you will influence design teams early in development, ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience in high-density consumer hardware design, PCBA, and DFM.
• Experience in SMT process integration, CAD layout reviews, and component-level failure analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term technology roadmaps for PCBA assembly and high-density component packaging.
• Write and maintain proprietary PCBA design guidelines for rigid and rigid-flex assemblies.
• Lead technical gatekeeping for the OK to fabricate (OK2FAB) layout approval workflow, conducting CAD layout reviews to mitigate risks.
• Serve as the principal engineering authority for high-stakes SMT defect investigations and failure analysis.
• Define engineering standards for panel array designs, routing clearances, cross-out thresholds, and process traceability.

Skills

High-density hardware design

PCBA

DFM

SMT

Failure analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD layout reviews

Process integration

OK2FAB workflow

Job description

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.


• 10 years of experience in high-density consumer hardware design, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and design for manufacturability (DFM).


• Experience in surface mount technology (SMT) process integration, high-risk CAD layout reviews, and conducting component-level failure analysis.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.


• Advanced understanding of solder metallurgy, intermetallic compound formation, SAC305/405 properties, and low-temperature solders.


• Demonstrated industry leadership through patents, published technical papers, or active contributions to industry standards bodies.

About The Job

Be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's direct-to-consumer products. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide. Your expertise will shape the next generation of hardware experiences, delivering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and integration.

As a Staff DfM/Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Engineer, you will serve as the principal technical authority for printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) design for manufacturing (DfM) across Google’s entire consumer hardware portfolio including phones, watches, hearables, and more.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between product design and mass production. You will own the technical roadmap for SMT process integration, qualify next-generation component technologies, and lead high-stakes failure analysis task forces during product ramps. Operating with high technical autonomy, you will influence product design teams early in the development lifecycle and partner directly with global tier-one contract manufacturers to ensure our hardware is built reliably and efficiently at a massive scale.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our Devices & Services team combines the best of Google AI, Software, and Hardware to create radically helpful experiences for users. We research, design, and develop new technologies and hardware to make our user's interaction with computing faster, seamless, and more powerful. Whether finding new ways to capture and sense the world around us, advancing form factors, or improving interaction methods, the Devices & Services team is making people's lives better through technology. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $171000 - $247000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term technology roadmaps for PCBA assembly and high-density component packaging.


• Write and maintain proprietary PCBA design guidelines for rigid and rigid-flex assemblies.


• Lead technical gatekeeping for the OK to fabricate (OK2FAB) layout approval workflow, conducting CAD layout reviews to mitigate risks.


• Serve as the principal engineering authority for high-stakes SMT defect investigations and failure analysis.


• Define engineering standards for panel array designs, routing clearances, cross-out thresholds, and process traceability.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also Google's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form.