SMT Engineer

The SMT Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and sustaining manufacturing processes across Titan Circuits’ high-mix PCB assembly environment. This role supports SMT, reflow, AOI/X-ray, selective solder, hand solder, mechanical assembly, and NPI builds by ensuring processes are stable, repeatable, documented, and capable of delivering high yields with minimal rework.

This is a hands-on, floor-focused engineering role—Titan expects the SMT Engineer to be visible on the production line, solving issues in real time, tightening process controls, and owning yield performance and escape reduction within their area.

Key Responsibilities

SMT Program and Equipment Ownership

• Assist in programming SMT equipment by independently creating, modifying, testing, and maintaining pick-and-place, fiducial, feeder, offset, and related machine programs to support accurate and efficient PCB assembly.
• Prepare, validate, and release SMT programs in time to support customer schedules, ensuring programs are complete, accurate, and production-ready before line startup.
• Develop, plan, and test programs for circuit board assembly while verifying customer documentation, BOMs, drawings, polarity, package data, and setup requirements for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain and improve SMT programming processes, machine documentation, setup standards, and revision control to support repeatable production execution and faster job changeovers.
• Operate and support automated equipment used to assemble electronic printed circuit boards, including troubleshooting programming-related issues that affect placement accuracy, feeder setup, or machine performance.
• Develop accurate stencil aperture recommendations and support proper stencil ordering to improve print quality, solder paste performance, and first-pass yield.
• Support first-run validation and line-side troubleshooting by working with operators, engineers, and quality personnel to correct program issues, optimize machine performance, and reduce downtime.
• Maintain program libraries, component databases, feeder data, and machine setup information to ensure consistency, traceability, and efficient reuse across repeat jobs.
• Identify programming-related defects or inefficiencies and support continuous improvement efforts that reduce setup errors, improve throughput, and strengthen overall SMT process performance.

Process Development & Optimization

• Develop, refine, and sustain manufacturing processes for SMT, reflow, selective solder, wave, hand solder, mechanical assembly, and conformal coating.
• Build stable process windows, define critical parameters, and enforce discipline around their use.
• Optimize equipment setup, changeover, programming, and material flow to improve throughput and reduce labor hours.
• Perform DOE, capability studies, and data-driven problem-solving to identify improvement opportunities.

NPI Readiness & DFM

• Participate in early design reviews; identify DFM issues and alternatives.
• Validate BOMs, AVL requirements, tooling, fixtures, and build documentation before release.
• Drive complete NPI packages—routing, travelers, process sheets, reflow profiles, tooling—and support first-article builds.

Quality, Yield, & Escape Reduction

• Investigate chronic defects, scrap patterns, and rework trends; implement permanent corrective actions.
• Support Quality on 8D, 5-Why, and root-cause activities.
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, Production, and Engineering to resolve issues quickly.
• Ensure parameters and documentation match AS9100 requirements—no undocumented shop-floor changes.

Documentation & Training

• Maintain accurate, controlled work instructions, setup guides, reflow profiles, SMT build sheets, and AOI specs.
• Train technicians, operators, and production staff on new processes and updates.
• Ensure all process documentation remains synchronized with current revision levels.

Equipment & Tooling Support

• Support preventive maintenance standards for process equipment.
• Assist in identifying and justifying capital equipment improvements.
• Design or source tooling, fixtures, and work aids as needed.

Required Experience

• 2–5+ years of SMT Engineering experience in PCB assembly or electronics manufacturing.
• Hands-on SMT, reflow profiling, AOI programming, or selective solder experience.
• Strong understanding of soldering fundamentals, IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and general electronics manufacturing practices.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents: BOMs, assembly drawings, schematics, and datasheets.
• Proficiency with data analysis, SPC, and problem-solving tools.

Preferred Experience

• High-mix, low/medium-volume PCB assembly environment.
• Aerospace/defense manufacturing or AS9100 familiarity.
• Experience with DOE, capability studies, or statistical analysis tools.
• Experience with fixture/tooling design (3D CAD skills a plus).
• ERP experience (Cetec preferred).

Key Competencies / Behaviors

• Floor-first mentality: Visible, responsive, and deeply engaged with production.
• Technical depth: Understands why processes work—not just how.
• Data-driven: Uses measured evidence to drive decisions and validate improvements.
• Documentation discipline: No undocumented changes or tribal knowledge workflows.
• Urgency: Moves fast when quality or production flow is at risk.
• Problem-solving depth: Fixes root causes—doesn’t patch symptoms.
• Clear communicator: Direct, concise, and factual in updates and escalations.
• Ownership mindset: Treats yield and escapes as daily responsibilities.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Extensive time on the production floor in SMT, soldering, and assembly areas.
• Occasional lifting of tooling, fixtures, or equipment components (~25 lbs).
• Work in ESD-controlled environments with relevant PPE.
• Salary Range: $60,000-$85,000 annually DOE